Current News

For the first time since direct broadcast satellite came to Vermont, "Vermont This Week," "Outdoor Journal," "R.F.D.," "Profile" and other productions of Vermont Public Television (VPT), along with a full schedule of PBS programs, are beaming their way to satellite viewers.
EchoStar's DISH Network began offering local TV channels to its subscribers in Vermont and bordering areas on July 24.
The new local service will be available within the boundaries of the Burlington-Plattsburgh Nielsen market, which includes most of Vermont and
many bordering counties of New Hampshire and New York. Bennington and Windham counties will not have access to Vermont stations at this time.

The Vermont Community Development Association's Fall Conference - Economic Development - What's ahead for Vermont, will feature a forum on Strategies for Housing and Economic Development in Vermont with gubernatorial candidates Jim Douglas, Con Hogan and Doug Racine.
Economic Development 101 - Basics and New Initiatives; New Economic Development Resources: EDA, EPA/brownfields and the downtown village program are also part of the days agenda.
The conference will be held on Thursday, October 10, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. cost is $25.00. Register by calling "Jessica at 229-9111 before October 4, 2002.

Joseph M. Finnigan, president and CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union (VTFCU), is pleased to announce that Lance Potter has been promoted from Assistant Vice President/IS Manager to Vice President of Information Systems.
As Vice President of Information Systems, Potter will join the senior management team, reporting directly to the president. In addition to management of information systems and electronic systems Lance will also be responsible for security and facilities.
Potter possesses a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Castleton State College and has been with the credit union for five years.
VTFCU is a $95 million plus financial institution, currently serving over 19,000 members. We provide membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chittenden, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Franklin,Washington, or Addison Counties in Vermont.

August 2, 2002 will mark a very special anniversary for Tim and Diane Mueller, owners of Okemo Mountain Resort. An anniversary that will commemorate 20 years of ownership, vision, planning, implementation and growth – a true success story in the snowsports industry.
Okemo first began operating in 1955, but the ski area’s greatest growth and success came about in 1982 under the ownership and management of Tim and Diane Mueller. Over the past 20 years, the Mueller’s have invested over $100 million dollars in the mountain to create a successful and award-winning mountain resort. Entrepreneurial spirit, paired with sensible hands-on management and a commitment to deliver the finest quality experience in an atmosphere of guest service and satisfaction, are key factors in Okemo’s incredible success story.

2nd Annual Genesis Group Charity Golf Tournament brings out the best. $4000 Raised to Help Families of North Country Kids.
The 2nd Annual Genesis Group Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Burlington's Ronald McDonald House continues a proud tradition. A total of $4000 was raised to help this local charity continue it's mission of love and support. The RMH is a temporary home away from home for families of sick or injured children who must travel to the Vermont Childrens' Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington for medical attention. Since 1984, the house has been home to more than 7000 family members from throughout upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
"We're thrilled," says President Joe Colucci, "to help Ronald McDonald House Charities here in Vermont and their enduring mission of hospitality, friendship and support. It's all about helping children. I can't think of a better reason to get friends together and spend a day golfing."

Tim and Diane Mueller, owners of Okemo Mountain Resort are pleased to announce that Dan Bergeron has been named as the new Director of the Cutting Edge Learning Center. As the new director, Dan will oversee a staff of over 250 professional ski and snowboard instructors and all of Okemo's award-winning Learning Center programs. Dan replaces Marty Harrison, who retired in April of 2002 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new position.
Dan is no stranger to the ski industry or Okemo. In 1985 he began instructing at Okemo's sister resort, Mount Sunapee (NH) and came to Okemo in 1991 as a full time instructor. Dan quickly moved up in "the ranks" and has most recently served as the Assistant Ski School Director and Learning Center Manager.
"Dan has been a contributing element in the growth of Okemo's award-winning Learning Center programs," commented Diane Mueller, co-owner

The Church Street Marketplace District Commission has appointed Tom Dillon project manager for the Church Street Marketplace's $1.8 million capital improvement program. He will manage a comprehensive program that includes new amenities, improved infrastructure for water and electricity, tree planting and resurfacing.
A Burlington resident, Dillon provides project management consulting services to non-profit agencies developing affordable rental housing and
community facilities. Recent projects have included the Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation, Burlington; O'Dell Parkway Housing, South Burlington; Lime Kiln Housing, South Burlington; and McAuley Square, Burlington. Dillon is a 1980 graduate of Middlebury College.

Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE: GMP)announced that effective immediately it has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002, replacing Arthur Andersen LLP.
The decision to engage Deloitte & Touche was made after careful consideration by the Green Mountain Power Corporation Board of Directors and senior management. The decision was not the result of any disagreement between Green Mountain Power and Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.

Bond Auto Parts, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase A.D. Sanel, Inc. (A Parts Plus Company), headquartered in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
A.D. Sanel operates 9 auto parts stores in Vermont and New Hampshire. A.D. Sanel has a strong background in the aftermarket parts industry upon which Bond Auto Parts can build both retail and professional installer business. The transaction is set to close on August 30, 2002.
Bond Auto Parts currently operates 19 auto parts stores in Vermont and 4 in New Hampshire. The A.D. Sanel acquisition will gain 9 new store locations, three of which will join existing Bond Auto stores.
Bond Auto Parts is the largest Vermont based automotive aftermarket supplier. Founded in 1956 by Earl Bond, the company is still family owned and operated with headquarters located in Barre, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine is pleased to announce the promotion of Mary DiLorenzo Picher to Advertising Director. Picher will remain the General Manager of the magazine and will take on the added responsibility of Advertising Director. She will be responsible for managing the sales department. Picher has been with the magazine since 1999.
Steve Rapoport has been named Sales Manager at Vermont Business Magazine and Vermont Sales Manager of Biz New England (The New England Business Publications Network). Biz New England consists of eight business publications throughout New England. Rapoport will continue to serve his advertising clients in Addison, Rutland and Bennington counties.

The Best Western Ludlow Colonial Motel has
received the Best Western Chairman's Award, the hotel chain's highest honor for outstanding quality standards. The Chairman's Award recognizes Best Western International hotels with a perfect cleanliness and
maintenance inspection score of 1,000 points out of a possible 1,000. Hotels must also meet Best Western requirements for design and high customer service scores to qualify for the award.
"Receiving the Chairman's Award from Best Western is a tremendous honor," said Dennis Mills owner of the motel. "This award demonstrates the Best Western Ludlow Colonial Motel management's commitment to providing quality accommodations for our guests. Our housekeeping and maintenance
departments have worked hard to achieve this level of excellence."
Located at 91 Main Street, Ludlow, Vermont, just one mile from Okemo Mountain and a few minutes walk to downtown Ludlow, the Best Western

The Marlboro College Graduate Center is pleased to announce a first ever bachelor¹s degree program to begin in September. The
degree, according to Admissions Director Margaret J. Donahue,, will be in
Managing Information Systems (MIS), which will combine technology and business to produce problem solvers in the world of technology. ³This
program will include a lot of hands on work,² Donahue said of the 60-credit, wholly online bachelor¹s program.
According to Donahue, graduates who come out of the program with a MIS degree will have the potential to cut across a broad range of professional job opportunities.
Some graduates will be able to apply their skills to fields they are already working in while others could go on to help businesses to develop
online strategies either as employees or consultants. Known for its masters degree programs, this is the first bachelor¹s degree program the Graduate Center has ever offered.