The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is pleased to announce two staff promotions. Long-time Loan Officer Tom Porter has been named Senior Commercial Loan Officer, and Ann Miller has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator. “VEDA is so fortunate to have such talented people on our Staff,” said CEO Jo Bradley. “We are delighted to see Tom and Ann build on their years of professional experience and assume broader responsibilities at the Authority.”
Thomas A. Porter of Burlington is VEDA’s Senior Commercial Loan Officer with nearly 30 years experience lending to growing businesses throughout Vermont. He’s recently been particularly involved in leading VEDA’s growing renewable energy lending programs. Prior to joining the Authority, Tom worked as a Management Consultant for the accounting firm Arthur Young’s Metropolitan Office in New York City. Thomas earned a B.A. from Middlebury College, an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University’s Stern Graduate School of Business, and a certificate in International Business Studies from Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Ann Roy Miller of Barre Town is VEDA’s new Marketing Coordinator. Ann joined VEDA in 2013, and quickly became a key marketing support and administrative aide to VEDA’s Senior Loan Officer for the Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC), Sarah Isham. Known for her interpersonal and organizational skills, love of digital imagery and attention to detail, Ann will continue working for Sarah and take on greater responsibilities in coordinating and supporting marketing activities in both the commercial and agricultural divisions at VEDA. Ann previously worked at SB Electronics, and before that, had many years’ experience in office management and executive administrative roles for Mass Mutual and National Life Insurance Company.
The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is Vermont’s statewide economic development finance lender. VEDA was created by the General Assembly in 1974 with a mission “to contribute to the creation and retention of quality jobs in Vermont by providing loans and other financial support to eligible and qualified Vermont industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises.”
Over the years, VEDA has grown and adapted its financing programs to keep pace with an ever-changing economy. VEDA offers a wide range of low-cost lending options for Vermont businesses and farms of all sizes, and the Authority’s lending solutions are customized to each borrower’s individual needs. Whether in the form of direct loans, tax-exempt bond issuance or loan guarantee support, VEDA’s innovative financing programs help ensure that Vermont businesses and farms have the capital they need to grow and succeed. VEDA most often lends in conjunction with banks and other financing partners, helping to stimulate economic development activity in Vermont.
Since 1974, VEDA has provided over $2.07 billion in financing assistance to thousands of eligible Vermont entrepreneurs, manufacturers, small businesses, family farms, and agricultural enterprises, helping them to realize their business growth goals, create jobs, and enhance the vitality of Vermont’s economy.