Around the Chamber - April 2024

AROUND THE CHAMBER April, 2024

Campaign Launches Page 10

In This Issue 6- Community Event Sponsors 10- Chamber Briefs 16- Behind the Scenes Drey Ward 24- Mixer/Webinars

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Around the Chamber

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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 52% open rate with an average read time of 8:32 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. 2024, All Rights Reserved

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2024 COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORSHIPSle Thank you to the organizations below that have already secured their sponsor positions for 2024!

Vergennes Day Vermont Gas Systems Gaines Insurance Porter Medical Center Bristol Harvest Festival Community Health Vermont Gas Systems Bristol Financial Waitsfield Telecom Porter Medical Center Middlebury Car Show & Fall Festival Stone Motors IPJ Real Estate Silver Maple Construction Vermont Gas Systems Cambio Roasters Porter Medical Center National Bank of Middlebury

Promote your organization and support our community events in 2024! Sponsorships are still available but moving fast. Click on the icon above to learn more!t

CHAMBER BRIEFS

Imagine Addison County! Campaign Launches

CHAMBER BRIEFS

Imagine Addison County!

Campaign Launches On April 1, the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and the Addison County Economic Development Corporation launched “Imagine Addison County” a multi faceted campaign designed to attract workforce to the county and support them once they arrive.

Supported by a two year grant from the Vermont Department of Marketing, Imagine Addison County will be activated with advertising from both the local and state levels driving interest from non-Vermonters in “Living, Working and Playing” in Addison County. The campaign will be supported by a full time position at the Chamber who will interact with potential new arrivals both before and after they move to Addison County.

The program is designed to assist our current labor shortage by bringing qualified individuals and families to the county and assisting them to acclimate once they arrive.

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s e n e c S e h t Behind with Drey Ward

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 Drey Ward of Silver Maple Construction What is your hometown?

I grew up in Ithaca, New York.

Where did you go to school?

I have an undergraduate degree from Cornell University (Psychology) and a Master’s (in Elementary Education) from CUNY Hunter.

Drey Ward

First ever job?

My first ever “real” job with a paycheck and the IRS involved was either at Hal’s Deli or Ithaca Roc’s. It’s hard, and getting harder, to remember that far back but the mad skills gained at a real Jewish deli or the ability to fold the heck out of a stack of t-shirts are still fresh! From there, I went where the opportunities led and I love the variety that my early jobs provided.

From lifeguarding to being a house mother at a sorority (free housing!); from working as an in-flight attendant for a private airline (nope – I would not have been helpful in the event of a water landing!) to nannying 3 days a week while in college and waiting tables… so many tables… all those jobs were lessons and freedom, in the form of a paycheck!

Who do you most admire?

My family. They are unmatched!

Favorite Vacation Spot?

Travel has always been a huge part of my life and I have been so fortunate to be able to see some amazing places. I am also very lucky to own a 1976 Airstream that I absolutely love and my favorite vacations include warm temperatures, sunshine, ideally some sand, and living out of the trailer.

s e n e c S e h t Behind with

Drey Ward

Favorite movie, TV Show?

I know people who have very sophisticated and welldeveloped “palates” when it comes to entertainment.

They have strong opinions after only one screening, can remember plots, can quote dialog, and know actor names. I am not one of those people. I am easily entertained and forget what I watched almost immediately. I frequently watch movies that I have seen before but it takes me 2/3rds of the show to realize it.

The only movies that don’t fall into this pattern are the Hayao Miyazaki movies that I watched (repeatedly) with the kids when they were little. I loved those and remember them but maybe that’s the trick. I have to watch something 42 times to recall it!

Who was your greatest inspiration growing up?

Definitely my mom. She came to the US from Argentina on a Fulbright scholarship to escape the traditional roles of women in her culture. She studied linguistic and was recruited to join the faculty at Cornell University where she balanced research, advising, teaching, and family. She continued to redefine herself as an artist after her retirement. Her drive, her determination, her bravery, and her love were inspiring and definitely shape who I am becoming.

Favorite type of music?

Growing up with a mom from South America and a musical father from… well, where he is from is an additional look “Behind the Scenes” so I’ll just leave it as ‘he was born in The Netherlands’, I was exposed to all kinds of music. And I am fortunate to have married a person with very broad musical tastes. Our house, and my office, is just a likely to be playing Ani DiFranco, Metallica, BB King, Rickie Lee Jones, Taylor Swift, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Franti… I would love to know who you’re listening to so I can expand the repertoire even further! What’s your favorite??

Biggest Career Challenge?

I hope it hasn’t happened yet! The challenges I’ve had have been learning experiences and I don’t want to stop learning. I still can’t solve most crossword puzzles so there is plenty of knowledge out there that I have yet to acquire!

s e n e c S e h t Behind with

Drey Ward

Typical work week?

I have learned that there is no such thing as typical at Silver Maple Construction but, luckily for me, I love the variety! I’ve worked here for 7-1/2 years (the longest I’ve ever worked anywhere), have never once been bored, have, on countless occasions, been completely blown away by what this team can accomplish, and continue to learn from the folks who work here. I’m based in our beautiful new office, officially juggle the role of Director of Customer Care, Sales, and Marketing, and happily jump in if I can support other projects. It’s a pretty remarkable place.

What's the greatest career risk you have taken?

I think the biggest risk I have taken is to not have a “career”. A career feels like a very linear path that starts early with a trade or degree and chugs along in a straight line ending with a gold watch and retirement. When I look back on my path it resembles my cockapoo chasing a ball with loops and back tracking and exploring and curiosity and lots and lots of distraction. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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

I wish that we had a more robust apprenticeship and training program for people interested in construction. I think that Nick Cantrick, at the Hannaford Career Center, does a great job and the Construction Technology Program is fantastic and there is room for more. We are perpetually trying to crack this nut.

Addison County

CHAMBER

of Commerce

After NETWORKING MIXERS Hours Attention Members!

Sign up to host a 2024 Networking Mixer Dates will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

For details and to register go HERE

937 West Shore Road Salisbury, Vermont 05769 (802) 352-4433

Join the Addison County organizations below and advertise in 2024 at the Addison County Visitor Center For complete information visit us HERE

HERE

HERE

Officers Robert Feuerstein, Kennedy Brothers (Chair) Megan Mandigo, Marble Trail Financial (Treasurer) Nancy Foster, Champlain Valley Properties (Secretary) Phil Summers, ACCOC (Executive Director) Directors Dickie Austin, Black Sheep Bistro Amy Carlin: Middlebury College Doug Dewitt, Bristol Financial Services Meaghan McLaughlin, National Bank of Middlebury Ned Horton, Otter Creek Bakery and Deli Marty Kulczyk, Robert Frost Mountain Cabins Ben Fuller, The Richards Group Dr. Nicole MacTavish, Hannaford Technical School District Article IV, Section D Designate Directors Kathryn Torres, Better Middlebury Partnership Renny Perry, Addison County Economic Development Corp.

Renny Perry, Vergennes Partnership Bill Sayre, Addison County Regional Planning Commission Open - Bristol Core