Author Archive

New England’s strong base of young professionals is due to the high educational attainment of its 25-39 year olds. At issue is the rate of growth in that cohort in N.E. has slowed (overall, 21% fewer young adults in 2007 than in 1990) while in other parts of the country it is growing. Still, research by the New England Public Policy Center shows that all the N.E. states but Maine, exceed the national average for young adults as a percentage of the total adult population. (more…)

The opinions of Vermont’s leading employers continue to reflect the strain of the current global recession, according to the results of the Roundtable’s 2009 Q2 economic outlook survey that concluded earlier this month. On the whole, though, members seem to have stabilized in their outlooks, if not begun turning in a more positive direction; more CEOs are expecting their sales to increase in the next six months while negative outlooks for capital expenditures and employment levels have decreased. (more…)

In case you missed it, here is the WCAX interview with Marselis Parsons and Bill Stritzler, President of Smugglers’ Notch and Chair of Vermont Business Roundtable, on July 13, 2009 regarding VBR’s released 2nd Qtr. 2009 CEO Economic Outlook Survey.

Posted with permission by MT. Mansfield Television, Inc.
Produced by WCAX TV News (www.wcax.com)
All rights reserved by MT. Mansfield Television, Inc.

As we  begin our emergence from the Great Recession and see budget deficits forecast through FY13, the Roundtable’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force has been taking a fresh look at these and related issues.  The Task Force, which began meeting earlier this summer and will continue  through November, is chaired by Ken Perine, President of National Bank of Middlebury, and a member of the Roundtable’s Board of Directors. Recommendations will be submitted to the Board for consideration at its November planning retreat. (more…)

The chief executives of Vermont’s leading businesses seem cautious over capital expenditure and employment levels for the summer and fall when compared against expected increases in their sales volumes for that same timeframe. In general, however, the attitude of the business community appears to have stabilized from the last quarter.  The mood was assessed at the end of the second quarter and released today by Vermont Business Roundtable Chair Bill Stritzler and President Lisa Ventriss. (more…)

Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, and Tommy Harmon, President and CEO of Sonnax Industries, were elected to the Board of Directors by the members at the Roundtable’s summer meeting on June 18th. (more…)

Tim Volk, President of Kelliher Samets Volk and Immediate Past Chair of VBR, honored us with his presentation on “The End of the Marketing World as We Know it” at our Summer Celebration Member Meeting on June 18th.

Here are some highlights Tim posted on YouTube.

Please visit Tim’s blog for more observations on the marketing world at large. http://unplanned.ksvc.com

2009 Vision Award presented to Fred Hackett

In creating the Vision Award, the Roundtable Board of Directors wished to make a statement by honoring the lifetime contributions of a leader who shares a commitment to the ideals that are embedded in the Roundtable’s vision statement “to make Vermont the best place in America to do business, be educated and live life.” In 2007 the Roundtable presented the award for the first time to Mr. David Coates, retired Managing Partner of KPMG.

The Vision Award celebrates the long view; the contributions of an individual over a lifetime that have benefited the people of Vermont. In this year, the Roundtable recognizes Fred Hackett, a humble man of unique moral character, significant accomplishment, and universal respect. (more…)

Senior political correspondent Juan Williams of National Public Radio and other national media will be the keynote speaker at the summer meeting of the Vermont Business Roundtable, which will be held on June 18 at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center.  Williams will deliver “The Latest from Washington – An Insider’s View” following dinner and a brief awards presentation.

Roundtable members and government leaders from across the state are expected to attend the event, and non-members are also encouraged to participate.  Dubbed a “Summer Celebration,” the regular meeting of the Roundtable’s membership will culminate in an evening of social networking, celebrating leadership and learning political insights from one of the nation’s leading political analysts. (more…)