Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two River-Ottauquechee Regional Commission in Woodstock, Vermont, was elected Treasurer of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) on September 1, 2009 at the association’s annual business meeting. The meeting was held in conjunction with NADO’s 42nd annual training conference in Chicago, Illinois.
Gregory has been on the staff of the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission since 1989 serving as Executive Director since 1997. He helped to develop the Transportation Planning Initiative, the program which implements Vermont’s local consultation requirements with local officials. Gregory also helped to design the Vermont Byway Program, and has provided staff support to the Vermont Scenery Preservation Council, the organization that implements that program. Gregory is a member of the Vermont Downtown Board, the entity that makes decisions on downtown and growth center designations under Vermont law and the Vermont State Infrastructure Bank, currently serving as Chairperson of the Board.
The Regional Commission is a compact of thirty municipalities in east-central Vermont, and was founded in 1970 by acts of its constituent towns. It is not a part of State Government, but is governed by a Board of Representatives appointed by each of the member towns. Its primary goals are to advocate for the needs of member towns, and to help bridge the opportunities and concerns that exist between towns and the State. The Regional Commission's staff provides technical planning services to town officials, and acts as a resource to local, state and federal levels of government.
“We are honored to have Peter Gregory serve as Treasurer of NADO. He brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and leadership on regional community and economic development issues to the national level,” stated Matthew Chase, NADO Executive Director. “Most importantly, he is focused on helping our nation’s local communities pursue comprehensive regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today’s rapidly changing global environment.”
Other officers elected were: President, J. Michael Norton, Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, Inc. in Harrison, AR; First Vice President, Timothy Ware, Executive Director of the Mid-East Commission in Washington, NC; Second Vice President, Russell Cowley, Executive Director of the Six County AOG in Richfield, UT; and Secretary, John L. Leonard, Executive Director of the South Georgia RDC in Valdosta, GA.
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) promotes public policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts and program expertise of the nation’s 520 regional development organizations.
