Staff

Melissa Bounty | Executive Director

When I interviewed to work at CVEDC in 2021, I explained that many of my friends are business owners, so I’m often stopping at farms, general stores and small restaurants to hear about the latest creation or strategize solutions to problems. This might evolve into looking at something “real quick” on Quickbooks or GoDaddy, or maybe even a farm tour. “That’s what this job is, we’ll PAY you to do that!” explained one of the Board members leading the interview. It’s an incredible feeling to find work that you just like doing, and that’s how I feel about the work I do at Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation. Previous to working at CVEDC, I worked for a Waitsfield-based book publisher where I sourced manufacturing domestically and abroad, led many creative projects, and learned an incredible amount about what makes a small business succeed. I currently serve on the boards of the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC), the New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NETAAC), and as Chair of the Board of the West Central Vermont Economic Development District. I live on the Mad River with my family and am very passionate about flower farming, painting, hiking, and reading.

Heather Hurlbert | Business Development Specialist

I first came to know CVEDC many years ago through my work in local non-profits and community lending and more recently have helped with the small business grant programs. Now as the Business Development Specialist at CVEDC I have the privilege of using my experience with small businesses, affordable housing development, commercial lending, and a provider of technical assistance to continue to help our local economy here in central Vermont. I have served as the Board President and Secretary for Community Capital of VT and as a community development adviser for Mascoma Bank's Community Development Entity. I live in Barre with my 2 children and spend my free time snapping pictures on the back roads as I make my way to every bookstore in VT, reading, and bookmarking recipes that I may, or may not, ever make. 

Karen Kogler | Administrative Assistant

Shannon Alexander | Media Coordinator

Board of Directors