John Bramley to retire as head of Windham Foundation

Dr John Bramley, President and CEO of the Windham Foundation, Vermont’s largest private foundation whose mission is to promote Vermont’s rural communities, today announced his pending retirement on May 31, 2011.
Bramley joined the Windham Foundation as President/CEO in January 2008. Under his leadership, the Foundation has celebrated many successes, including strengthening local community relations and fostering local businesses within Grafton. He worked with several colleagues to help establish the Southern Vermont Business Leaders Council and the UVM Lecture Series in Windham County. The Old Tavern, under new leadership, once again became a centerpiece of the Grafton community with its new pub, music and events. Bramley oversaw the completion of the new Grafton Village Cheese production facility in Brattleboro, which has expanded the company’s award-winning cheese inventory by two million pounds. Two new Grafton Village Cheese retail stores which promote a myriad of Vermont products and foods have become centerpieces in Brattleboro and Grafton.
‘We have been privileged to have John Bramley leading the charge for the Windham Foundation over the past three years,’ said Ed Zuccaro, Windham Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman. ‘Among his long list of accomplishments, he generated a long-term vision for the Foundation and its subsidiaries and generated a substantial amount of renewed energy and vitality amongst the staff and the community. The trustees and staff all wish John and his wife Janet many years of well-deserved recreation and travel as they embark on this new phase of their lives.’
Prior to the Foundation appointment, Bramley served as a professor at the University of Vermont (UVM) in Burlington, teaching animal science and microbiology and molecular genetics. Over the past two decades, he has held several notable positions with the University including serving as Acting President in 2006 as well as Senior Vice President and Provost from 2001 to 2006. Prior to those positions, Bramley was the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Science; and the Chair of the Animal Sciences Department. His visionary work at UVM played an integral role in advancing the University’s 10-year vision. A native of England, Bramley launched his career in the dairy and environmental fields in the UK.
‘It has been a privilege to lead the Foundation at such an important time of change and evolution,’ said Bramley. ‘I am very proud of the Foundation and what has been achieved over the last three years. Janet and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of Grafton and Windham County and working with many individuals and groups. We are excited about opening a new chapter in our lives in retirement, but we plan to maintain contact with the many friends we have made."
An executive search led by the Windham Foundation Board of Trustees is underway for Bramley’s replacement.
‘While we have a difficult task in finding a successor to John, we are confident our search will bring forth many strong candidates for the opportunity to take the Foundation and its businesses even further in promoting Vermont’s rural communities,’ continued Zuccaro.
About the Windham Foundation
Headquartered in Grafton, Vermont, the Windham Foundation is an operating foundation engaged in philanthropic, charitable and educational activities. Since its inception in 1963, its mission is to promote the vitality of Grafton and Vermont’s rural communities through its philanthropic and educational programs and its subsidiaries whose operations contribute to these endeavors. The Foundation is the owner of Grafton Village Cheese Co., The Old Tavern at Grafton and the Retreat Farm.