Stowe Area Association has elected Chuck Baraw, owner of the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, as the Stowe Area Association President. While on summer vacation from his studies pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration at the University of Vermont, Baraw worked with a construction crew to build the Stoweflake Inn and Resort. Baraw continued his studies and received a master of business administration in financial management. In 1969, Baraw returned to the newly expanded Stoweflake with professional experience and expertise and began his career with the property.
Under his direction, Stoweflake has evolved into one of America's premier luxury resort and spa destinations, resulting in over 200 additional jobs in the state of Vermont. Baraw has a long standing relationship with Stowe Area Association. He served his first term as president from 1980 to 1985 and has served on the SAA'S board of trustees for over 30 years.
Baraw explains, "Although I had briefly considered retirement, I realized that the timing is not right. Rather, I will do everything in my power to help my family, my resort, and my fellow business owners survive the current economic crisis. As a second term president that has endured difficult financial times before, I am confident that my past experiences will be of tremendous value." Baraw's devotion and dedication to both Vermont and Stowe has kept him actively involved in community and statewide organizations including: Director and past Chair of The Vermont Chamber of Commerce, past Director and past President of the Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association, chief pilot and President of the Stowe Balloon Company and Chair of the annual Stowe Balloon Festival. In addition, Baraw was named the "2007 Vermont Travel Person of the Year", awarded at the Vermont Travel Industry Conference 2007. Most recently, he earned a nomination for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce 2008 Citizen of the Year Award. Stowe Area Association located in the resort community of Stowe, Vermont is a tourism marketing organization and a chamber of commerce.