Jen Kimmich

17th Annual VBSR Awards Ceremony & Dinner

Event Details:
When: September 20, 2018 5:30 pm – September 20, 2018 8:30 pm
Location: 4800 Basin Harbor Rd, Vergennes, VT 05641

Cost To Attend:
Nonmembers – $85
VBSR Members – $70

Registration is open

REGISTER HERE

About the Event

VBSR is pleased to honor three outstanding individuals and organizations who are pushing new ideas and initiatives forward, leading by outstanding example, and developing successful SR business models. Our 17th Annual Award Ceremony and Dinner will recognize Jen Kimmich, Co-Founder of the Alchemist, with the Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement (formerly the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business). Awards will also be given to Julie Lineberger and Joseph Cincotta, founders of LineSync Architecture (VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award), and Theresa Snow, the founder of Salvation Farms (VBSR Young Changemaker Award).

Join Us!

A sunset view of the Adirondacks, historic resort buildings and gardens, environmentally-focused operations and a chef-designed menu featuring Vermont producers (including many VBSR members!), make this the perfect setting to celebrate some of our outstanding members and their work. Guests will have the chance to network and celebrate while enjoying a cocktail hour, dinner, dessert and a cash bar. Don’t miss this unique gathering of entrepreneurial, mission-driven business professionals!

2018 Awardees

VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement:    
Jen Kimmich, The Alchemist

The VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement (formerly the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business) honors an outstanding individual in honor of Terry Ehrich, late owner of Hemmings Motor News, founder of the First Day Foundation and a founding Board member of VBSR. The award is given annually to a person exemplifying Terry’s commitment to community, the environment, progressive public policy, and the workplace.

Jen Kimmich is co-founder and CEO of the Alchemist Brewery and board chair of the Alchemist Foundation, focused on expanding opportunity for young Vermonters. With her husband John, she founded The Alchemist as a Waterbury brewpub in 2003. Building on the wild success of the pub and their beers, the team began canning Heady Topper in Waterbury in 2011, and opened their Stowe brewery in 2016, where it serves as a model of sustainable water use in brewing. Jen is extremely active in public policy and a passionate advocate for working Vermonters and the environment. She is a member of VBSR’s Public Policy Committee and Clean Water Advisory Council. Jen serves on a wide variety of boards, including Main Street Alliance Vermont, Vermont’s Workforce Development Board, VPIRG and the Vermont Council on Rural Development. She and John live in Stowe with their son Charlie.

VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award:      
Julie Lineberger and Joseph Cincotta, LineSync Architecture

The VBSR Innovation and Inspiration Award recognizes VBSR member organizations who have accomplished innovative and/or inspirational achievement in the following areas within the past three years: Planet (Environmental Impact), People (Social Impact) and Prosperity (Economic Impact)

Architect Joseph Cincotta and business owner Julie Lineberger have designed sustainable structures since 1988, believing “green design” is rooted in Yankee frugality and common sense. Through creative design, where energy efficiency and natural materials achieve the highest standards of beauty with the greatest economy of means, LineSync Architecture offers naturally green solutions, large and small.

In 2015 the couple brought Wheel Pad L3C to life, keeping families together during times of transition by creating a 200 sq.ft .accessible bedroom and bathroom module that can be attached to an existing home. It is an affordable, eco-friendly non-toxic, immediately available living space offering privacy, and supporting the independence of individuals with mobility issues.

Each firm has garnered numerous awards for Design and Business Management. Their greatest achievement, however, is 33 years of marriage while working together and raising two independent daughters.

VBSR Young Changemaker Award: Theresa Snow, Salvation Farms

The VBSR Young Changemaker Award recognizes an individual under age 40 who has led the formation of a socially responsible enterprise that has been in operation 3 or more years. The awardee will be selected based on their ability to use the power of business to advance innovative solutions to society’s challenges for the good of the planet, their employees, their community and economic growth in Vermont.

Theresa has worked in Vermont’s agricultural sector for almost 20 years. She founded Salvation Farms in 2004, receiving both regional and national awards. She has a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management from Sterling College, has worked with well-known Vermont agricultural businesses like Pete’s Greens and High Mowing Organic Seeds, and served as Director of Agricultural Resources for the Vermont Foodbank. Theresa co-facilitates a national working group focused on infrastructure needs to manage farm surplus with the Harvard Food Law & Policy Clinic and recently joined the advisory committee for a World Wildlife Fund directed project looking to maximize farm resources in America. Theresa has a steadfast conviction for the responsible stewardship and use of our natural resources with a parallel dedication to the engagement of individuals across socio-economical demographics in the work that she leads.

About Basin Harbor

This year’s event will take place at the Basin Harbor Resort and Boat Club, stewards of the land since 1803. A fifth-generation family-owned business, this lakeside resort on Lake Champlain is an outstanding example of Vermont’s working lands. Thanks to a multigenerational commitment to preservation and sustainability, the 700-acre estate remains as beautiful today as it did over a century ago while employing 300 people each year. A dedication to improving their carbon footprint on a local and global level has earned them the designation of “Green Hotel” by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and the first golf course in Vermont to become a member of the prestigious Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Their beautiful location – together with their robust environmental efforts, including composting all food waste; electric, fuel and water efficiency; land conservation; capturing waste heat, generating electricity from an on-site solar array, and sourcing from local farmers and food purveyors – make this a perfect venue for this annual event.

Carpooling Encouraged
Whether you are coming from near or far, please consider carpooling to the event!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Sunrise Sponsor

Alchemist LogoPlaceholder text –  The Alchemist is a family run brewery producing 180 barrels of beer per week. Our flagship IPA, Heady Topper, is sold in 16 ounce cans throughout Central and Northern Vermont. They make darn good beer!

Luminary Sponsors

Dinse Logo The standards at Dinse are anything but standard. One of the largest law firms in Vermont and upstate New York, clients of Dinse aren’t just clients of individual attorneys; they’re clients of the firm. Dinse applies its experience, drive and intellectual capital on the side of every client relationship. It’s why Dinse is seen as the “go-to” firm to navigate today’s most complex legal problems and why Chambers USA gives Dinse its highest rankings for the strength and reputation of our attorneys.

Dunkiel Saunders

At Dunkiel Saunders we’re focused on making a difference with our practice. We work with clients—including businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, government entities, and individuals—who share our commitment to making a difference in their communities and the broader world. We take our inspiration from our clients’ good work and help them excel in their business or mission by resolving their legal issues with creativity and integrity. How can we help you?

TruexCullins is an integrated Architecture and Interior Design firm providing comprehensive design solutions for regional and international clients. The firm’s expertise is organized across five studios: Residential, Education, Workplace, Resort, and Interiors. Our guiding philosophy is built on the belief that design has the power to transform communities and improve lives. For nearly 50 years, TruexCullins has pursued this vision, offering design solutions that provide value, comfort, and beauty.

Our reputation for design excellence is evident across all our building types and locations. With a collaborative approach to design, TruexCullins develops innovative and sustainable design solutions, consistently delivering positive results.

Vermont Gas is northwest Vermont’s integrated energy services company. We offer customers clean, affordable and reliable natural gas service, award-winning energy efficiency programs, home and business energy equipment service and maintenance, and a renewable option for families and businesses. For more information visit vermontgas.com.


Vermont Awards & Engraving Logo

Vermont Awards & Engraving – Recognition Made Visible Since 1959. Vermont Awards & Engraving offers custom awards, trophies, plaques, gifts, signs and more to a wide range of  markets.

Supporting Sponsors

Let's Grow Kids Logo

Vermont Creamery Logo

Sponsorships Available

Please contact Toby Aronson at TobyA@vbsr.org or (802) 862-8347 for information about sponsoring this event. Opportunities are limited and are first-come, first-served.

Luminary Sponsor
Luminary Sponsors receive two complimentary tickets, special thank you and business description from the podium at the event, separate organization listing to include description, logo and link on the VBSR website and event registration page, logo on event program, mention on VBSR social media channels and listing in event press releases.

Supporting Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors receive one free complimentary ticket, recognition from the podium, organization listing to include description, logo and link on the VBSR website and event registration page, logo on event program, mention on VBSR social media channels and listing in event press releases.