Merger of Vermont Retail, Vermont Grocers associations approved

Tasha Wallis, Executive Director of the Vermont Retail Association (VRA), and Jim Harrison, President of the Vermont Grocers Association (VGA), announced today that the two groups would be merging into a single new entity, the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association. (VRGA).
More than a year in planning, the merger had been approved by the boards of both organizations in February and March, 2014 and was put to a membership vote on April 1. Both memberships voted to approve the merger.
“With the lines of retailing continuing to blur, it made sense for the VGA and VRA to examine options for the future,” noted VRA’s Wallis. “A single, larger organization will enhance advocacy efforts, improve member services and increase overall membership value for businesses.”
VGA’s Harrison agreed. “A merged organization will be a single clearing-house of information and advocacy for retail related issues,ranging from the sales tax to employment and business regulations.Policy makers will recognize the new association as an even stronger statewide voice for retailers and grocers.”
Memberships from both the VRA and VGA will be transferred to the new association, with no change or interruption of any current membership services or benefits.
Tasha Wallis, who served as VRA’s Executive Director for six years and led VRA through a period of revitalization, will step down on April 30th.
As of May 1, 2014, Jim Harrison, who has been with the Vermont Grocers Association since 1987, will become VRGA’s President.
Source: VRA 4.2.2014