A Note from Jamie on His Last Day on the Job

March 3, 2023

For the past 32 years I have been employed providing economic development assistance in various positions around the State.  While it is bitter sweet coming to the close of this career, I have had the supreme honor and pleasure to work in a field I have truly loved for over three decades.  I have witnessed economic booms and busts, and at the end of my career the pandemic and all of the stresses that created for so many of us.  But throughout the challenges it has always been the incredible dedication and community spirit of the business leaders and entrepreneurs of Vermont that has energized me in this work.

At the end of the day this work has always been about the jobs.  Jobs that afforded employees the ability to enjoy the natural beauty of our State while receiving livable wages and comprehensive benefits that lead to an economic quality of life.  This work has allowed me to be a support in the creation of these jobs, and I hope, cumulatively have made a difference for Vermonters.

It is important that I say thanks to the volunteer members of the Board of Directors of CVEDC.  Without their commitment of time and energy I could never have had the success I enjoyed in the past 7 years as Executive Director.  This dedicated group has always focused on how we can best be a positive force for the region, for business, employees, and the communities that we serve.  Most importantly, they also guided the process for hiring my replacement.  Melissa Bounty came on Board almost a year and a half ago, and since her hire she has been preparing to take the role of leadership at CVEDC.  I now have total confidence in her ability to not only assume the role of ED, but in fact in her ability to lead the organization to new and exciting heights. 

So thank you all for the opportunity to serve, and for all you do in making Vermont the truly wonderful place it is to live, work, play.

Regards,

Jamie Stewart, Retired Economic Developer