The Vermont Retail & Grocers Association has announced that Erin Sigrist will join the association as vice president effective June 22, 2015. Sigrist will assume a key role in promoting the economic and political interests of member merchants and trade partners, and build upon the association’s past successes to strengthen the industry’s impact in Vermont.
“Erin brings a remarkable understanding of public policy and the political process, as well as firsthand knowledge of the retail industry to this new role,” said VRGA President Jim Harrison. Association Board Chair Todd Keyworth of Harborside Market added, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Erin to the VRGA, and I am confident that her drive and experience will prove effective in shaping positive outcomes for the organization and our members.”
Founded in 1926, Southern Vermont College offers a career-enhancing, liberal arts education with 15 academic degree programs for approximately 500 students. SVC recognizes the importance of educating students for the workplace of the twenty-first century and as successful leaders in their communities. SVC’s athletic teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). The College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and has been designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Community-Engagement Classification institution.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. As the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students’ citizenship skills, helps forge effective community/campus partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum. Campus Compact’s membership includes public, private, two- and four-year institutions across the spectrum of higher education.
Currently a government relations specialist with Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC Sigrist focuses on legislative and regulatory affairs and public relations. She brings knowledge and experience in client advocacy, public policy, and relationship management. Previous roles, including account executive at Capital Connections LLC in Montpelier, Vt., and sales and marketing assistant at the Seneca County (N.Y.) Chamber of Commerce, have provided Sigrist with experience in grassroots advocacy, event planning, marketing, and membership development and retention.
A native of the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York, Sigrist gained knowledge of the retail industry working in her family’s business, a 137 year old hardware store in Waterloo, N.Y. “I grew up working at my dad’s side after school, on weekends, and during breaks,” Sigrist explained. “I watched as he endured the changing regulations business owners constantly face, and experienced firsthand the evolution necessary to maintain a business in the changing economic and political landscapes. Growing up in a small business taught me so much. I’m incredibly excited to return to my roots working with and representing businesses in this new capacity.”
Sigrist received her bachelor’s degree from Elmira College in Elmira, N.Y., where she majored in business with a concentration in marketing. She is an active Rotarian in Montpelier.
The Vermont Retail and Grocers Association represents approximately 800 retail stores and 250 suppliers to the industry, including members of the Vermont Specialty Food Association. Current members include clothing stores, sports stores, supermarkets, food co-ops, beverage stores, convenience stores, and general and country stores, as well as many other merchants. Associate members include manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers, and service providers.