Vermont Business Magazine The Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce has replaced Dr. David Evans, who was voted as the board of director’s president in January of 2019 at the chamber’s annual membership meeting, with first vice president Brian Maggiotto effective immediately. Evans, who was the president of the now-closed Southern Vermont College, was recently appointed interim president of the American University of Bulgaria. Evans stepped down as president of Southern Vermont College May 24th.
Maggiotto was elected as first vice president at the January meeting and will finish out Evan’s 2-year term ending January 2021 with an option to run for another 2-year presidential term before serving as past president on the chamber’s executive board.
Brian Maggiotto, left, of The Inn at Manchester and incoming President of the Bennington Regional Chamber with Matt Harrington, executive director of the chamber. BRCC photo.
Maggiotto is currently the General Manager and Resident Innkeeper of The Inn at Manchester located in Manchester, Vermont. The Maggiotto family purchased the inn from the Hanes family who had run the Inn for 15 years prior.
A University of Vermont graduate who has worked at the Hotel Vermont in Burlington and the Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester before taking over at The Inn at Manchester, Maggiotto has also held various roles within the Aloha Foundation in Fairlee. Prior to his hospitality experience, Maggiotto worked in sales and marketing with NBC Universal in New York and Los Angeles. He joined the chamber board in January of 2018. He was recently recognized at the 3rd annual Southern Vermont Economic Summit as an Emerging Leader.
“Brian is a terrific person and I think he is exactly what this chamber and board need at this important point in our history,” explained Matt Harrington, executive director of the regional chamber. “This is a great example of the solid foundation this chamber stands on. For over 100 years, we have had a successful succession of board presidents. The board has been supportive of Evans during this difficult time with SVC, and when he was ready, he graciously handed over the reigns to the next in line. This is how succession should happen and I think the chamber is healthy because of it.” Harrington stated as he and the board received Evan’s resignation letter from the board Tuesday evening.
“I am grateful for the honor and opportunity to have served the Chamber for the past four years,” remarked Evans. “I am confident in its current trajectory. Brian and Matt will be a great team to advance the chamber and strengthen the whole of Bennington County.”
The current executive board of the chamber is made up of Maggiotto as president, Jonah Spivak of the Hawkins House as immediate past president, the first vice president seat is currently open, Michael McKenna of DB McKenna as second vice president, and Tom Dailey of Dailey and Cummings, LLP as treasurer. Art Whitman of A&K Agriservices, Brenda Jones of KW Vermont and Lindy Lynch serve as ex officio advisors. There are an additional eleven directors from various industries of the chamber membership that create the full board.
“I could not be more excited to help steer the Chamber’s efforts through it’s years of expansion and growth,” Maggiotto remarked. “As the Chamber’s regionalization efforts have now become a reality, I look forward to helping build new bridges between the North and South Shire communities and hearing from our membership about innovative ways that we can support their businesses through educational programing, local and state advocacy, and marketing.”
The Bennington Regional Chamber’s mission is to promote, lead and advocate a unified effort, on behalf of its members, to maintain and improve a healthy business climate and rewarding quality of life for the region. In 2017, at their annual membership meeting, the board and executive director embarked on an audacious 2020 Vision to become fully regional, representing all 17 communities that comprise Bennington County.
Source: Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce 6.21.2019