Ted Brady, Deputy Secretary of Vermont’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development, is the recipient of the Bernice Murray Award, received from the Vermont Community Development Association (VCDA) in recognition of his contributions to community development in Vermont. Mr Brady was appointed to the position by Governor Philip Scott in 2017.
Josh Hanford, VCDA Vice President, said Ted’s many years’ efforts supporting community development around the state made him the perfect candidate for this award, named in honor of Bernice Murray, a member of Senator James Jeffords’ Vermont staff for many years, who became the Vermont State Director of the Farmers Home Administration. In recognition of her active support for, and involvement in, community development, an award in her memory is given annually by the Vermont Community Development Association.
From 2013 to 2017, Ted held the same position, Vermont and New Hampshire State Director of USDA Rural Development (formerly FmHA). In that role, he led the investment of more than $1billion in federal grants, loans and loan guarantees in rural housing, economic development and community infrastructure focused on growing rural communities. Prior to that, Brady served as US Senator Patrick Leahy’s senior economic development, international trade, community development, housing and transportation field representative.
VCDA is an organization of individuals committed to working together to promote the growth and viability of community-based development efforts, encourage active citizen involvement and encourage collaboration between residents, private enterprise, non-profits and local government. Since 2000, VCDA has provided networking forums for economic development professionals to share information, innovation and best practices in their fields. To learn more about VCDA, please visit its website – www.vtcda.org.