Vermont Business Magazine The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce announced on November 15, 2016 at their Annual Meeting (sponsored by GE-Aviation) that Greg Cox of Boardman Hill Farm, Vermont Farmers Food Center and Vermont Farmers Market is the Chamber's 2016 Business Person of the Year. Cox has been a farmer for 40 years and in 2007 helped to transform the Vermont Farmer’s Market to a year round market. He is one of the visionaries behind the Vermont Farmers Food Center, which he says “it’s not just because of me; I can’t do this by myself”. Cox also mentors new farmers at his Boardman Hill Farm, giving them space (free of charge) to learn how to produce food and guides them in the process. He feels we need to “own our own food future”.
Greg Cox receives the 2016 Chamber Business Person of the Year Award from Mary Cohen, Executive Director, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and Bill Ackerman, President, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Cohen (Executive Director at the Chamber) said “Greg’s work is more than building equitable access to local food. It’s about collaboration, mentoring, creating opportunities and making local agriculture an economic driver in our region.
Cohen gave a brief presentation of where the Chamber has been and where the Chamber is going and the future. Cohen’s remarks focused on the future of the region and partnering to grow the community. She also spoke about the new Regional Marketing Initiative which is currently being supported by great area businesses, the City of Rutland and several of the towns in the county.
The Keynote Speaker for the meeting was Rocket, Producer of the America’s Best Friend video series. Rocket has spent a lot of time in the Rutland Region promoting all the great things there are to offer.
Outgoing Board Members Sherri Birkheimer Rooker – Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Southern Vermont; Marleen Cenate – Heritage Family Credit Union and Dom Serino, retired, Rutland Health Foundation were also honored for their service to the Chamber and the community.
Source: RRCC 11.15.2016