State Sen. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia), OnLogic co-founders Lisa and Roland Groeneveld and Rice Memorial High School graduate Sharif Sharif were honored June 19 by the Greater Burlington Industrial Corp. and Cynosure, the regional economic development corporation serving Chittenden County.
Kitchel, a senator since 2005, was presented with the 2024 Robert A. Skiff Community Improvement Award, which honors an outstanding Vermonter who has worked to improve community, educational and economic opportunities for citizens of Chittenden County and the state of Vermont. She was selected in recognition of her significant contributions to improving community and the economic well-being of the citizens of the State of Vermont. Her hard work and profound dedication to public service in our State is an inspiration to all Vermonters.
The Groenevelds, who started their computer company OnLogic in their one-bedroom Boston apartment in 2003, were awarded the 2024 C. Harry Behney Lifetime Economic Development Achievement Award, given to outstanding Vermonters who have greatly and positively impacted the economy of Vermont and improved the economic well-being of Vermonters and their communities. They were chosen for their entrepreneurial passion rooted in innovation and for their steadfast commitment to job creation in Vermont.
Sharif, who will attend Norwich University in the fall, was awarded the 2024 Ernest A. Pomerleau Outstanding Young Vermonter Scholarship, which recognizes an outstanding graduating high school senior in Chittenden County who has excelled as a well-rounded leader in their school. He was a standout basketball player at Rice Memorial and plans to become a physical education teacher.