Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is pleased to honor three outstanding individuals and organizations who are pushing new ideas and initiatives forward, leading by outstanding example, and developing successful socially responsible business models. Our 17thAnnual Awards Ceremony and Dinner will recognizeJen Kimmich,Co-Founder of the Alchemist, with the Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement (formerly the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business) honors an outstanding individual in honor of Terry Ehrich, late owner of Hemmings Motor News, founder of the First Day Foundation and a founding member of the board of directors of VBSR. The award is given annually to a person exemplifying Terry’s commitment to community, the environment, progressive public policy, and the workplace.
Jen Kimmich, Alchemist Brewery, by Randolph T Holhut. VBM.
Jen Kimmich is co-founder and CEO of the Alchemist Brewery and board chair of the Alchemist Foundation, focused on expanding opportunity for young Vermonters. With her husband John, she founded The Alchemist as a Waterbury brewpub in 2003. Building on the wild success of the pub and their beers, the team began canning Heady Topper in Waterbury in 2011. They opened their Stowe brewery in 2016, which serves as a model of sustainable water use in brewing. Jen is extremely active in public policy and a passionate advocate for working Vermonters and the environment. She is a member of VBSR’s Public Policy Committee and Clean Water Advisory Council.
“Jen’s career as a business owner and advocate is exemplary of every principle we promote as an organization”, said Jane Campbell Executive Director of VBSR, “We couldn’t have chosen a more deserving person for the Terry Ehrich Award. The Alchemist is a notable Vermont brand, we are proud to shine a light on the ethos behind Jen’s incredible leadership”.
The VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award will be given toJulie Lineberger and Joseph Cincotta,founders of LineSync Architectureand Wheel Pad L3C. Wheel Pad keeps families together during times of transition by creating a 200 sq.ft. accessible bedroom and bathroom module that can be attached to an existing home. It is an affordable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, immediately available living space offering privacy, and supporting the independence of individuals with mobility issues.
Theresa Snow, the founder of Salvation Farms will be given the VBSR Young Changemaker Award. Theresa founded the non-profit Salvation Farms in 2004, which increases resiliency in Vermont’s food system through surplus management. Theresa and her team use innovative systems to reduce food waste and bring locally grown produce to food insecure communities and Vermont institutions such as prisons and colleges.
VBSR’s 17th Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner will be held at Basin Harbor on September 20th 2018 at 5:30 pm. A sunset view of the Adirondacks, historic resort buildings and gardens, environmentally-focused operations and a chef-designed menu featuring Vermont producers, make this the perfect setting to celebrate some of our outstanding members and their work. Guests will have the chance to network and celebrate while enjoying a cocktail hour, dinner, dessert and a cash bar.Registration details and more information about our event sponsors and awardees can be found at vbsr.org.
This event has been made possible by the generous support of our Sunrise Sponsor The Alchemist Brewery, and Luminary Sponsors Dinse, Dunkiel Saunders, TruexCullins, Vermont Gas, Vermont Awards & Engraving, and Let’s Grow Kids.
VBSR is a statewide, non-profit business association with a mission to advance a business ethic that values people and planet as much as profit. Through economic development, education, public influence, and networking, VBSR strives to help 650+ members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of the state's residents, while remaining profitable.
Source: VBSR 814.2018. www.vbsr.org.