Behind the Scenes with Chris Blanchard

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace.

This months, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Chris Blanchard of Bristol Electronics.

Where did you grow up?

I consider South Starksboro and Bristol to be my “hometowns”. Although I lived in New Hampshire for 10 years and 29 days, I have always been a “Vermonter” in my heart. My grandmother used to say, “You can take the girl out of Vermont but you can’t take the Vermont out of the girl”.

First ever job?

My father opened Bristol Electronics in 1972. Once I moved from the sixth grade at Lincoln Elementary School to Mt. Abe, I remember walking to the “shop” most afternoons after school. I enjoyed seeing my grandfather helping Dad keep up with the television repairs a day or two a week and going out with Dad in the service truck to “keep him company”. I don’t remember when it transferred from “hanging out” to “working”. I guess it’s never felt like “working”. Most of the time it still doesn’t.

Where did you go to school?

I attended Mount Abraham Union High School. My children attended Mt. Abe and many of my grandchildren will do the same. I take great pride in that school. It brought me through seven years and then gave me the opportunity to be an integral part of my children’s extra-curricular activities year later.

I hold dear in my heart my connections to this community and the people I have connected with through Mt. Abe. I met my very first sweetheart when I entered the seventh grade there. We dated in sophomore year then went on to live full lives apart from each other for 34 years after graduation, both having had children and some grandchildren during that time. We reconnected in early 2020 and have now married. Between the two of us, we currently have eight children and fifteen grandchildren.

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

My parents and grandparents were inspirations on so many levels. My parents, including step-parents, taught me that leading an active life, taking care of all whom you love, volunteering in the community you call home and living life to its absolute fullest was the only way. I’m so glad they did! My father, David Cobb & grandfather, William (Bill) Cobb were role models in how to run a business and treat their employees and customers as if they were their neighbors. They never came out and said that. They just did it that way. My step-mother, Elissa Cobb taught me a love of horses and that the hard work of keeping them is well worth it. This love of and connection to animals and the value of hard work transfers into so many parts of my life and living.

Typical work week?

What do the words “typical” and “work” mean? I think these words gets set aside when you enjoy what you do in every part of your life. My “work week” can be 5 days long and it can be non-stop for a month or more. My work days are similar in that they can be just over 8 hours at my desk and can run more like 12-14 hours. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of finding the right options to offer folks when they ask about solar and heat pumps for their homes and small businesses. Working through all of the calculations is fun. I also thoroughly enjoy sitting down with people in their homes to provide the education that I would want to have if I owned their property and had their goals. Brainstorming together to find the right fit is incredibly rewarding.

My husband says that my “non-work” days are just as busy, if not more so. I think he heaves a sigh of relief when Monday morning comes around. We keep busy when I take a day away from the business. I love gathering, splitting and stacking the needed fire wood for the sugar house and family members, working alongside family and friends, pitching hay with my best friend and helping her with her horses in whatever way is possible, spending time in the Adirondacks with my daughter at her resort, spending time doing whatever I can with our grandchildren, fishing in our small boat and in our kayaks, taking runs on old work roads through our insanely beautiful woods with our pup Timber and just about anything else that gets me outside and moving. There is no sitting still for me.

Biggest career challenge?

Technology changes constantly. Bristol Electronics began selling, installing and repairing small electronics, televisions and rooftop antennas 51 years ago. It morphed easily into those 12’ satellite dishes that we all remember in the 80s. I remember helping Dad build them on the garage floor. Thankfully satellite dishes became smaller and less obtrusive. When an employee came to us and stated that he had been researching solar and that we should consider it, we all jumped at the opportunity to learn about a “new” technology (to us) in 2009.

I see large and small technology changes often and on the horizon in both solar and heat pumps. This winter I attended a seminar about the changes in the refrigeration that will be allowed in heat pumps soon. The manufacturers are all scrambling to change their processes to utilize different refrigerants. Three weeks ago we changed the solar module manufacturer that we will use going forward because of the benefits their modules provided over the previous manufacturer. This is how we grow. This is how we become better stewards of our home. These are the kinds of changes that excite me, motivate me and keep me learning.