The merger committee of Revitalizing Waterbury / Waterbury Tourism Council today announced the appointment of the board of directors for the merged organization Mark Drutman, Melissa (Missy) Gorham, Rob Hofmann, Jeffrey Larkin, Cindy Lyons, Jamie Neuman, and Theresa Wood will be the 7-member board that kicks off this new organization. The board includes community leaders who live, work, and/or own businesses – in some cases all three – in the Waterbury area.
“This new board is a great combination of past board members of both organizations, but also new faces, too,” said Karen Nevin, Executive Director of Revitalizing Waterbury (and who will play the same role for the soon-to-be merged organization.) “This group has the experience, skills, and perspectives necessary to implement our shared vision, which encompasses stakeholders in the business and residential communities and areas beyond the downtown such as Duxbury, Colbyville, and the Route 100 corridor.”
Kim Dixon, Board chair for the Waterbury Tourism Council, agrees. “This new board will help us capitalize on what is right in both organizations, and at the same time take advantage of synergies and implement our shared vision for the future of our community.”
“Being a board member of the new merged board is meaningful work in a community where we live and work or both,” said Mark Drutman, co-owner of Craft Beer Cellar and member of the new board. “For me, it's an opportunity to learn more about our community, to implement a vision for quality of life, and also to improve opportunities for business. It's exciting to be able to make a difference and/or impact in a tightly knit and economically vibrant community like Waterbury.”
The merged organization will officially begin operations on January 1, 2017, but the new board is expected to begin organizing and planning immediately. More information, including board bios, can be found on the RW website at: www.revitalizingwaterbury.org.
MORE INFORMATION: In 2015, the board of directors for both Revitalizing Waterbury and the Waterbury Tourism Council announced the intention to merge the two organizations. The goal of the merger was to minimize overlap of activities and benefits to members, and also to take advantage of the synergies that would be possible with combining the energies of both leadership and membership. The two boards appointed a merger committee, which was given the task of defining and shepherding merger activities throughout 2016. This team led the development of a new mission statement: to strive to preserve, promote and enhance the economic, historic and social vitality of Waterbury, Vermont for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Our new vision statement of Waterbury is that it is a vibrant community that is inviting, safe, economically sound, lively and livable. The newly merged organization will be given a new name and officially begin on January 1, 2017. The new name is expected to be announced soon, and the newly appointed board will begin planning and organizing immediately.
BOARD BIOS:
Mark Drutman – Co-owner of Craft Beer Cellar in Waterbury. Member of Waterbury Tourism Council Board. Melissa (Missy) Gorham - Sensory Researcher in Technology Division, Keurig Green Mountain. Former RW board member (2008). Rob Hofmann – Senior Operations Officer, Union Bank, Morrisville. Member and treasurer of Revitalizing Waterbury Board of Directors. Jeffrey Larkin – Owner of Arvad’s Pub and Grill. Member of Revitalizing Waterbury Board of Directors and Chair of Waterbury Area Development Committee. Former member of Waterbury Tourism Council Board of Directors. Cindy Lyons – Owner/Broker/Realtor of New England Landmark Realty. Member and secretary of Revitalizing Waterbury Board of Directors. Jamie Neuman – General Manager of Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Member of Waterbury Tourism Council Board of Directors. Theresa Wood – State Representative for Waterbury. Former Chair of ReBuild Waterbury.