Around the Chamber June 2023

3- Chamber Briefs

8 - Behind the Scenes (Gerianne Smart)

June, 2023 Connect

17- Town Hall Theatre News

22 - Best Practices

Basin Harbor, Panton

AROUND THE CHAMBER

With Us!!

In This Issue

CHAMBER BRIEFS

Elderly Services Marks a Transition in Leadership

The Elderly Services Board of Directors has appointed ESI Assistant Director, Kristin Bolton, to the position of Executive Director effective July 1. Kristin replaces Joanne Corbett, who led the organization for 33 years. Corbett has transitioned to a social work role within the organization and will focus on serving elders and their families as the agency increases enrollment at the Project Independence Adult Day Center and expands its eldercare counseling program.

Chamber Welcomes Summer Intern

Alexa Bryant is joining us this summer as the Chamber’s Digital and Events Marketing Intern. She is a rising senior at Middlebury College majoring in Political Science and minoring in Chinese. Originally from Parkland, Florida, Alexa now lives in central Maine. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and getting on the water to paddleboard when possible. She looks forward to exploring all that Vermont has to offer in its warmer months and is excited to join the Chamber this summer while gaining experience in communications and marketing. Upon graduation from Middlebury next spring, she hopes to pursue political communications on a municipal or state level.

New Visitor Center Attracting Hundreds

The new Addison County Visitor Center opened on April 24th and has already hosted nearly 400 visitors to the County arriving by train, car and bus. The Visitor Center is currently open Monday-Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm and will add Saturday hours beginning in July. For information on advertising your business at the Visitor Center, see page 12. Chamber members receive significant discounts!

Kristin Bolton Alexa Bryant

Around the Chamber ACCOC publishes Around the Chamber monthly and it reaches thousands of business, non profit leaders and their employees in Addison County and beyond. Around the Chamber boasts an average 49% open rate with an average read time of 8:30 Members are encouraged to supply their announcements and events by emailing phil@addisioncounty.com. For ad availability and rate card email phil@addisoncounty.com. Addison County Chamber of Commerce 2023, All Rights Reserved Have something to say or an idea for this publication? Contact us! Info@addisoncounty.com

Behind the Scenes with Gerianne Smart

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 month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Gerianne Smart of the Vergennes Opera House

Where did you grow up?

In Vermont it is Waltham. My hometown growing up was Atlantic Highlands, NJ, a beautiful town slightly larger than Vergennes with a vibrant downtown as well.

Atlantic Highlands is located on the New Jersey shoreline and features a beautiful municipal marina.

Where did you go to school?

Primary and secondary in Monmouth County, NJ. I received my BA from Trinity University in Washington, DC., Major is Psychology, Minor in Criminal Justice.

First ever job?

Fiorentino’s Bakery and the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina. I’d make the donuts in the morning, work a few hours then head to the marina and work the gas dock and the boat launching ramp. Later I “graduated” to working at the Clam Hut Restaurant in the kitchen then advancing to waitress.

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

My mom. She was mother of 14 children (I’m #11) and an amazing woman. She was the first woman elected to the town council (1970) and was very involved in the community and proud of her children and their accomplishments. After working full-time in the home, she worked part-time in the local pharmacy then took a full-time job as the town’s tax collector which she did for 20+ years. She was well respected and articulate and always pushed us to be and do our best. My Dad was amazing too. His great sense of humor and open heart made him a favorite among all of our friends.

Who do you most admire?

My daughter Grace. I have watched her navigate through the tricky waters of young adulthood. I am amazed by her resilience, patience, and kindness. I am so proud of her.

Gerianne Smart

Behind the Scenes with Gerianne Smart

Favorite Vacation Spot?

Lake Champlain on our sailboat. The lake is so large and ever changing. I love the quiet of sailing and the adrenalin rush on occasion too. I love staying overnight on the boat, anchored out in the lake somewhere tucked in safely.

Favorite movie, music?

I love and appreciate all types of music. I get to enjoy all kinds of music at the Vergennes Opera House from Broadway tunes to bluegrass to contemporary rock to jazz and classical and gospel.

It is all a delight. But, if it gets me tapping my feet and inspires me to dance, well, then that is everything!

Typical work week?

My full-time job as Manager of Marketing & PR for Rutland Regional Medical Center is a healthy 50 hours a week on average. It is a great job and I love my team. My other responsibility is as a volunteer and president of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House. During our season (October – May) I average about 10 hours a week working on Vergennes Opera House duties, PR, board meetings, fundraising efforts, advertising, social media and producing the newsletters. I am one of 14 volunteer board members who manage the opera house with enthusiasm and joy.

What's the greatest career risk you have taken?

Testifying at the legislature to defend Vermont Life magazine in 2008. There were some changes happening that I saw as detrimental to the publication’s survival. I was on contract with the state as the magazine’s advertising sales firm (Smart Communication, Inc.), with two years left on my contract. Once I testified though, my contract was yanked. Before that event, I thoroughly enjoyed working with my small staff representing Vermont Life, and it paid off for 18 years.

What's the one thing you would like to see change in your business/industry?

From the healthcare side of things, I would simplify our lives by making healthcare universal. This would guarantee everyone equal access to healthcare which would improve outcomes and ultimately make society healthier. A healthier population does not need to access healthcare facilities as often or do so for more acute care. From the Vergennes Opera House perspective would be to have an elevator in the alleyway between city hall and St. Paul’s church so people with mobility challenges can access the second-floor theater space. We’d turn the alleyway into a courtyard for all to enjoy. Inside we’d make both the dressing room and stage accessible with the installation of a lift. We’re working on all of this currently with our All Access Project. Learn more at:

https://www.VergennesOperaHouse.org/all-

access-project

FOR INFO ON ADVERTISING AT THE VISITOR CENTER GO HERE

Best Practices

"Best Practices" is our new recurring feature designed to give your organization helpful advice for maintaining efficient operations

Protecting Your Business from Phishing Scams

Scammers are getting more and more creative in our ever-modernizing world, and it can be hard to keep up with all the new tactics to protect yourself from. One of the most widespread types of scams are phishing schemes, which target email and text to steal sensitive information. It is important to understand these schemes, so you can know how to best protect yourself and your business from them. Read on to learn more about phishing schemes, how to prevent yourself from falling for them, and what to do if it happens.

How does phishing work?

Phishing schemes are cyberattacks carried out by scammers that target email and other messaging apps. These emails seem to come from a reputable source, often appear urgent, and typically include links or request sensitive information. Once these links are clicked on, ransomware can be downloaded onto your computer, which can provide scammers with passwords, sensitive information, and potentially access to an entire network of computers.

How do you protect yourself against phishing?

As an individual, before clicking on a link in an email or providing sensitive information, you should do some research. Look into the company and their website to ensure it is a real company. You might also check with a coworker or call the vendor or client the email looks like it’s from on a number you know to be correct – not the one listed in the email.

Best Practices

"Best Practices" is our new recurring feature designed to give your organization helpful advice for maintaining efficient operations

Protecting Your Business from Phishing Scams

As a business, you should regularly back up your data in places not on the network so that if your data is hacked, you can easily restore it. You should also make sure that all security software on the devices in the network is up to date, and add email authentication and intrusion prevention software to prevent phishing emails from reaching inboxes in the first place. Finally, let your staff know that all of this is happening and keep them informed. Provide regular training so that they can keep up to date with newer phishing tactics.

What happens if you fall for a phishing scheme?

First, you should immediately change any compromised passwords and disconnect the infected computer from the network. Next, you should alert colleagues. When phishing attacks happen, more than one person in a company typically receives these emails. Then, notify any customers or clients who may have had their data breached. Lastly, report the scheme to the Federal Trade Commission through FTC.gov/complaint and let the person or company being impersonated know about it.

For more information on phishing and other scams, and how to protect your business from them, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at: www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/identity-theft/phishing-scams.

Renewing Members Adobe UVM Morgan Horse Farm Bristol Commons Development LLC Resort Guides 802 Print Pratt's Store and Catering Sparrow Art Supply Middlebury College Randy's Middlebury Service Center LLC Thank you! Thank you! Each month in "Around the Chamber" we will recognize new and renewing members for their support in helping ACCOC enhance and improve the business and non-profit communities in Addison County. Welcome New Members Thank you! Thank you!