Vermont Business Magazine As first reported by the Rutland Herald Thursday, long-serving Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donahue is leaving that position for the Rutland-based BROC - Community Action in Southwestern Vermont. He will be responsible for both Rutland and Bennington Counties in one of five Community Action Agencies in the state. Donohue has been with the Chamber for 21 years and has served on many business and community organizations in the area. BROC's goal is to allow disadvantaged members of the community "to develop and use their capacities and abilities so they can share in the promise of this nation."
Donohue told Vermont Business Magazine Friday afternoon that: "It has been a rewarding experience to lead the Chamber for over two decades. I am very excited about the future at BROC - Community Action In Southwestern Vermont. My first day there will be Monday, April 4th." Succession plans are not known at this time.
Resignation Letter
March 16, 2016
Dave Correll, President
Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce
50 Merchants Row
Rutland, Vermont 05701
Dear Dave;
I am excited to announce that I have accepted a position in the community! Effective Monday, April 5th I will be the new CEO at BROC – Community Action in Southwestern Vermont. I will be responsible for both Rutland and Bennington Counties in one of five Community Action Agencies in the state. This strong organization focuses on hope and opportunity for those of low income through increasing self-sufficiency of Vermonters, strengthening our communities, and eliminating the causes and symptoms of poverty. This is accomplished by providing strong programs to address critical needs as well as economic opportunity.
After a wonderful 21 years at the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce I will be departing for this new opportunity and career advancement. I must begin by saying how much my career here at the Chamber has meant to me. It is difficult to put in to words but when I left City Hall as the Director of Community Development in March of 1995; leading the Chamber of Commerce was my dream job.
Since that time we have taken the Chamber to a new standing on the local, state and national level building bridges and credibility all the way.
- With strong collaborations we have secured upwards of $30M for the airport (which we even renamed along the way) including the Parallel Taxiway, MALSR, ILS and RSA.
- We “Saved the Train” the Ethan Allen Express (Amtrak) from being eliminated in the state budget and lobbied to secure over $26M in rail funding that will increase speed and load capacity and will connect Amtrak to Burlington in just three short years.
- We have saved Essential Air Service subsidy (EAS) funding numerous times to keep our passenger airlines flying and we even chose our currently successful operator; Cape Air.
- We have championed natural gas for our businesses and homeowners and currently it is Phase 2 after Vermont Gas connects Addison County.
- We brought the Chamber from paper “everything”; full speed in to the digital world of communication and marketing with rutlandvermont.com, rutlandvermont on YouTube, social media, the use of QR codes, e-newsletters, e-broadcasting (with responsive design) and the first Rutland Region Virtual Business & Area Guide exclusively with Google Inside View.
- We lead the way in lighting up downtown Rutland with the relocation of the Chamber offices to 50 Merchants row creating a Welcome Center, WI-Fi Hot Spot, and Community Conference Room connected to the DRP.
- We have successfully become a contender landing national and international conventions like the Killington Classic, The Retreads, the Red Knights MC International Convention, Model T Ford Club International, the New England Rally (Rally America), the National Railway Historical Society Convention, and the upcoming Sports Car Club of Vermont (autocross) series 2016, RKMC Yankee Rally 2017, and the Shriners Convention 2018.
- We successfully created the popular Member to Member Discount program for members and their employees; The “Perk Card” with over 100 area discounts for shopping local and distribute 20,000 cards per year.
- We have grown the annual “Business Show from a small business card exchange event into the largest and longest running expo in this area of the state. We are being told by many that this year was the best yet.
- We created Signature annual events for the community like The Fireworks Extravaganza and our newly reinvented Winter In August at the Vermont Farmers Food Center. And our newest addition; The Vermont Job & Career Fair with 25 employers and 300 attendees at our first event last fall.
- Just recently we completed a 16 month effort to bring Goodwill Industries to Rutland with a 10,000 sq. ft. retail store, adding 20 jobs and new employment and training programs for the community.
We could not have accomplished all this and more without the tremendous support of a skilled, loyal and hard working staff, the leadership of our great board of directors and outstanding partnerships with like-minded organizations, political leaders and the media.
I can only say THANK YOU for allowing me to be at the helm of this respected organization. Together we have made a difference we can be immensely proud of. And I am grateful.
Sincerely,
Tom Donahue, CEO
BIO
Tom Donahue
CEO
Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce
March 1995 - Present
Former:
- City of Rutland Alderman 3/84 – 3/89
- Aldermanic President 3/87-3/89
- Chair Charter & Ordinance Committee
- Chair Liquor Control Committee
- Representative to the Planning Commission
- President Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
- President Vermont Community Development Association
- President First Night Rutland
- President Rotary Club of Rutland
- President Rutland Region Community Television (PEG TV)
- Vice President Southern Vermont Development Council (Rutland – Bennington Counties)
- Vice President Rutland Region Transportation Council