The Lake Champlain Chamber has announced new appointments to its board of directors and its executive committee to continue the organization's work.
Leading the board for the next year will be Ashley Wainer, a former senior executive at Vermont Gas Systems, who will serve as chair, and Dave Lane, senior vice president of ESG and corporate initiatives at Farm Credit East, who will serve as vice chair. They will be joined on the board by new members Patricia Shirk, program manager at 89 North, and Karen Wisehart, director of operations at Windjammer Hospitality Group.
“The Lake Champlain Chamber seeks to create economic opportunity for all Vermonters and is, by its nature, a true community organization,” said President Cathy Davis. “Our work benefits from the knowledge and experience of our business community in myriad ways, especially with respect to our talented and engaged board of directors.”
In her most recent role as vice president of customers and energy innovation at Vermont Gas, Wainer oversaw new-product development and customer technology solutions. Her focus included business development, specifically related to product and service offerings. Prior to VGS, Wainer worked in public accounting at KPMG as part of its audit practice.
Lane has been employed by Farm Credit East since 2011, where he has primary responsibility for overseeing marketing, business development and the business services division. In addition, Lane, his wife and their two sons operate the family's dairy farm as well as Snow Farm Vineyard and the Snow Farm Inn.
Shirk has over 25 years of industry experience in engineering, operations, project management and leadership from her time in the semiconductor industry. She serves on the board of directors at the American Red Cross (Northern New England region) and the Project Management Institute (Champlain Valley region).
Wisehart is currently in her 27th year at the Windjammer Hospitality Group. The company operates Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn & Conference Center, Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub.