The Windham Foundation has appointed John Cray and Kathy Metelica as co-innkeepers of The Old Tavern at Grafton, it was announced today by president and CEO Dr. John Bramley. Located in the heart of Grafton, Vermont, The Old Tavern is one of the nation’s oldest operating inns. The co-innkeepers will start their new appointment in mid-May, just prior to the opening of the inn for the summer season.
Kevin O’Donnell, who has served as innkeeper at The Old Tavern for 14 years, has moved on to become the Food and Beverage Director at New England Culinary Institute (NECI) in Montpelier, Vt.
Both Cray and Metelica have extensive business and customer service background that spans 30 years, and strong community ties to Grafton as both are residents.
Cray was the owner and operation of the Saxtons River Village Market in Saxtons River, Vt.; during that time, earned the Man of Year award for community service. He also spent six years as the regional operations manager for Staples, Inc. Most recently, he served as bar manager and function coordinator for the Bellows Falls Country Club and also as a bartender for The Old Tavern.
Metelica has spent nearly three decades in sales and marketing in the food service and home product industries, most recently serving as Retail Execution Manager for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. She was marketing manager for Albertsons and held a myriad of sales positions for Georgia Pacific during a 20-year tenure with the company. She is involved with local and regional organizations including the Vermont Quilt Festival and also holds a Board of Director position with the American Quilt Study Group. Metelica has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Grand Valley State University.
“John and Kathy will be a strong team to build upon the progress of the last couple of years and make The Old Tavern a premier and genuine Vermont country inn with exceptional comfort and service, great local food, rooted in the warmth of an extraordinary community,” said Bramley. “That is something that our hotel and restaurant guests are seeking and we can provide. I’d also like to thank Kevin for all his great years here and wish him well in his new position at NECI.”
Since 1801, The Old Tavern at Grafton has been providing visitors with an elegant Vermont Country inn experience in a quintessential Vermont setting. The inn offers 45 rooms, including seven suites and four guest homes. The award-winning restaurant features locally-inspired American cuisine using the freshest local ingredients.
Headquartered in Grafton, Vermont, the Windham Foundation is an operating foundation engaged in philanthropic, charitable and educational activities. Since its inception in 1963, its mission is to promote the vitality of Grafton and Vermont’s rural communities through its philanthropic and educational programs and its subsidiaries whose operations contribute to these endeavors. The Foundation is the owner of Grafton Village Cheese Co., The Old Tavern at Grafton, the Retreat Farm and Grafton Village Nursery.
