John Snell was recently honored by the Rotary Club of Montpelier with the Capital Award as Citizen of the Year.
A number of friends and colleagues shared stories about John’s extraordinary volunteer work and business successes including David Harrison, who has known John for 60 years, Bev Hill, Kim Bent for Eric Love, Rob Spring -- John’s business partner for 20 years, John’s wife Liz Snell, Nancy Sherman read greetings from Michael Sherman, and Paul Hartman.
Montpelier Mayor John Holler read a proclamation which read in part “Whereas, John Snell has lived the values of service above self by giving abundantly of himself and by inspiring others to share their skills and talents with the Montpelier community.”
John and Liz bought a house in Montpelier in 1979 where they raised two children, Andrew and Susannah. After working at several different jobs, in 1985 John started his own company, The Snell Group to train thermographs for industry. The company was successful he took on two partners and had 70 employees and a worldwide reputation. He sold his company in 2010.
For over 20 years John has served on the Montpelier Tree Board. He also served on the Montpelier Conservation Committee. John worked with the Pedestrian Committee to make Montpelier friendlier and safer for walkers and to bring people outside to enjoy Montpelier’s streetscapes. On the Taylor Street Committee he advocated for integrating a bike and walking path, green space and the river in its development.
Starting as a teenager and continuing today John has been active in civil right and anti-war movements.
The Montpelier Rotary Club meets every Monday at 12:15 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center.
CAPTION: Montpelier Rotary President Dawn Provost, Citizen of the Year John Snell and Montpelier Mayor John Hollar.