Markey Read, MRG, Inc., For re-election

Markey has worked for the past 20 years providing leadership development, team building, and professional employee development services to employers and individuals throughout Vermont with the company she founded, MRG, Inc. She has been a member of VBSR for 12 years, and has attended and spoken at VBSR Conferences. Markey is a current member of the VBSR Program Committee and is the DEVO Committee Chair. Throughout her involvement at VBSR, she has participated on various other committees. She has served on the board for the VT Association for Psychological Type and the VT Consultants network. Markey was also the chapter coordinator for WBON in Williston, and is currently a member of the American Society of Training and Development.

 

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David Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables, For re-election

David is an entrepreneur and engineer with three decades of experience in the renewable energy industry, seeking to help prepare humanity for future energy constraints.

His first company, NRG Systems, became a global leader in wind measurement technology. Since 2004, he has been President/CEO of AllEarth Renewables, a company he founded to develop and manufacture grid-tied renewable energy systems, which now delivers solar trackers to a network of more than 80 dealer-installer partners across the U.S. Within the past five years, David has built two utility-scale solar farms as well as a 10 MW wind farm supplying power to Burlington, VT.

David is a member of VBSR’s Public Policy Committee. In addition to running AllEarth and serving on VBSR’s board, David volunteers his time as a board member for the Post Carbon Institute, Renewable Energy Vermont, and the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center; he also chairs the board of advisors for UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, and is a member of the advisory board for the Union of Concerned Scientists. He lives in Charlotte in a home completely powered by renewable energy sources, with a community solar array in his backyard.

 

Rae Carter

Rae Carter, Rae Carter Empowr, For re-election

Rae Carter is an advocate, coach, facilitator, herbalist, musician, strategist, speaker, and writer committed to co-creating heart-centered social change that honors the cycles of nature with compassion and empathy for all living beings. She is reinventing her career following a transformational healing journey from cancer.

Rae’s 20-year career includes serving as the communications director at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (2013-2018), where she was instrumental in elevating the organization’s approach to sustainable economic development and facilitating marketing collaboration among businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. She owned and operated Rachel Carter PR, a public relations, social media, and grassroots marketing business (2006-2013), working with Vermont clients in agriculture, tourism, food, finance, education, consumer service, government municipality, and nonprofit sectors. Rae was recognized as a 2010 Vermont Business Magazine Rising Star. Prior positions include public relations director at a Vermont marketing agency, marketing director at a financial institution, and a program manager with the Girl Scouts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and organizational communication and certificate in music performance from Marist College.

Rae lives with her partner and animals in Plainfield, Vermont where they grow organic herbs, facilitate healing events, and create music with the Hygge Den music collective.

 

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David Epstein, TruexCullins, For re-election

AIA, LEED AP (2016) Managing Principal, TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design

David is the managing principal at TruexCullins (TXC) and a long-time VBSR member. TXC has four areas of focus: Workplace, Home, Resort, Education and Interiors. David co-leads the Education and Workplace Studios.

David’s passion is creating engaging 21st Century learning environments. He has designed created master plans and school facilities in over 35 countries.

To learn more about David or to read his education blog Digital Crayon, visit David Epstein’s BIO.

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Bret Hodgdon, Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs, For re-election

Since being admitted as Partner in Davis & Hodgdon Associates CPAs in January 2005, Bret Hodgdon has had a key role in the firm’s growth into one of the area’s most innovative public accounting firms. His daily embrace of new technologies has resulted in efficiency improvements not only for the firm but also for many of the firm’s corporate clients. Bret is one of Vermont’s only accountants with the designations of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), with expertise in fraud prevention, corporate investigations and forensic accounting.  Originally from Hardwick, VT, Bret is a graduate of Lyndon State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Since 1998 he has worked with a variety of clients providing audit, tax and consulting services in a number of specialized areas such as non-profit organizations, the construction industry and wholesale/retail.

Adeline Druart

Adeline Druart, Vermont Creamery, For re-election

A foodie by nature and an artisan cheesemaker by trade, Adeline Druart is President of Vermont Creamery, one of the leading American specialty cheese and dairy makers based in Websterville, Vermont. Born and raised in the French countryside, Adeline studied dairy science at the prestigious National Dairy School of France.

Looking to learn English, Adeline left French for the United States to join Vermont Creamery as a summer cheesemaking intern in 2002. What started as a two-month internship became a 15-year journey that inspired a passion for Vermont, its taste of place and the unique products made by Vermont Creamery’s dedicated employees. Over time, Adeline scaled Vermont Creamery’s operations and infrastructure, help grow the brand to national distribution with the addition of new products and led the efforts to achieve B Corp certification status in 2014.

She has served as judge in international cheese competitions, is a member of the American Cheese Society and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). When she’s not at the mission-driven business, Adeline is at home with her husband Marc and two young sons, hosting friends for dinner, or on the hunt for fresh vegetables and pastry at the Montpelier Farmer’s Market. 

 

Jenn Wood

Jenn Wood, Green Mountain Transit, For election

Jenn is a tireless advocate for climate action, social equity, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Currently Jenn is the Public Affairs & Community Relations Manager for Green Mountain Transit. She spent over a decade prior in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries as aconsultant, as well as the Weatherization Director for the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. Jenn is a graduate of the Snelling Center for Government’s VT Leadership Institute; Emerge VT alumnae; Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program; certified Building Analyst and Solar PV Installer; and a Climate Reality Leader/ Mentor trained by former Vice President Al Gore. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Education as well as (self-designed) Sustainability and Education from Northland College. Jenn lives in Grand Isle with her husband and rescued cat and loves spending time outside running, biking, kayaking, sailing, and skiing.