Board Members
Luther "Fred" Hackett / Briar Alpert / Frances Carr / Frank Cioffi / Robert Clarke / Kevin Dorn
John Evans / J. Michael Gower / Michael J. Marx / Richard W. Schneider / Lisa Ventriss
Luther "Fred" Hackett
Board Chair - VCET
PRESIDENT - Hackett, Valine & Macdonald corp.
Contact Information
Hackett, Valine & MacDonald, Inc.
140 Kennedy Drive
P.O. Box 2127
South Burlington, Vermont 05407-2127
658-1100
Biography
Mr. Hackett is currently Chairman and President of Hackett, Valine & MacDonald Corp., (holding company), Hackett & Company (employee benefits), and Yankee Captive Management, Inc. (captive insurance management). He is also Vice Chairman of Yankee Insurance Group (holding company), Hackett Valine & MacDonald, Inc.
In the past, Mr. Hackett has served on the Board of Directors of the Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc., Vermont Electric Transmission Company, Inc., Central Vermont Public Service Company, Inc., Catamount Energy Corporation and the Vermont Technology Council.
He is affiliated with the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, Vermont Department of Commerce Advisory Board, and the Vermont Insurance Department Advisory Committee.
Briar Alpert
President - Bio-tek Instruments
Contact Information
Bio-Tek Instruments
PO Box 998
Highland Park
Winooski, VT 05404
655-4040
Biography
Bio-Tek is a leading developer and supplier of high performance bioanalytical measurement systems, and software. This instrumentation is used to accelerate the drug discovery process; to advance discoveries in genomics and proteomics, and to aid in the advancement of life science research. As part of the Lionheart Technologies, Inc. group of companies, Bio-Tek designs, develops and markets laboratory instrumentation, software and integrated solutions throughout the world.
Prior to joining Bio-Tek, Mr. Alpert worked as a Project Engineer for Pizzagalli Construction. Mr. Alpert joined the Bio-Tek team as a Manufacturing Engineer in 1986 and became President in 1999.
Frances Carr
VP Research & Graduate Studies -
University of Vermont
Contact Information
Provost's Office
353 Waterman
Burlington, VT 05405
656-4400
Biography
Fran Carr joined the University of Vermont in August 2003. She is responsible for enhancing research and scholarship, developing a comprehensive research plan, expanding the university’s technology and innovation and strengthening graduate education. She will also oversee the development and expansion of research partnerships to enhance economic development. Prior to joining UVM, Carr was the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Professor of Biological Sciences at Binghamton University at the State University of New York. Carr served on the Board of Directors of the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, the Board of Directors of the Innovative Technologies Corporation, a Binghamton University technology incubator, the Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition, an industry collaboration to enhance innovative technologies among others.
Recognized for more than 20 years of scientific research, teaching and administrative experience, with more than 90 publications and articles, Carr came to Binghamton in 1999 from a post as senior science advisor with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). There her scientific expertise and strengths in policy and strategic planning had earned her a senior-level Presidential appointment in 1993. While serving as a Clinton administration appointee, she authored more than 20 foreign policy documents and strategies. She also served on the National Science & Technology Council as co-chair of the Committee for International Science, Engineering and Technology and as co-chair for the US-EU Committee on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.
Carr received a BS in biology and psychology from Boston College and a PhD in physiology and biophysics from the University of Illinois Medical Center. Her subsequent appointments at the University of Minnesota and Harvard Medical School fostered her research and teaching in endocrinology and molecular biology.
Frank Cioffi
President -
GBIC and Cynosure, Inc.
Contact Information
60 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: 802-862-5726, Ext 12
Biography
Frank Cioffi served as Executive Director of the Franklin County Industrial Corporation during the first term of Governor Richard Snelling. He is past President of the Vermont Association of REALTORS and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of REALTORS. From 1995 to 1998, Cioffi served as Commissioner of the State of Vermont Department of Economic Development. He served as a member of the Cabinet of Governor Howard Dean, M.D. Cioffi was the lead recruiter and project manager for the recruitment of Husky to Vermont and he continues to be the State’s lead relationship manager with some of Vermont’s most significant employers.
In January of 1998, Cioffi accepted the position of President of GBIC & Cynosure, the Regional Economic Development Corporation serving Chittenden County, Vermont. GBIC is Vermont’s largest regional economic development corporation. Since joining GBIC, Cioffi has restructured the organization to become more effective and proactive. GBIC’s programs and services have been created to meet the dynamic needs of Northwestern Vermont’s manufacturing, technology, and value-added business sectors.
Robert Clarke
Chancellor -
Vermont State Colleges
Contact Information
PO Box 359
Waterbury, VT 05676
241-2520
Biography
Robert G. Clarke was named the Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges in November 1999. Before becoming Chancellor, Dr. Clarke was the President of Vermont Technical College for 15 1/2 years. Chancellor Clarke has recently been recognized with the first Luther F. Hackett Award for 2002 by the Vermont Technology Council and the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in March 2001 by the US Army. In addition, Robert Clarke received the Richard A. Snelling Economic Development Award for 2000 by the Vermont Associated General Contractors; the Vermont Citizen of the Year Award for 1998 by the Vermont State Chamber of Commerce and was named the Randolph Executive of the Year for 1991 by the Randolph Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Clarke serves on numerous Boards including the Board of Directors, Central Vermont Public Service Corporation; Connecticut Valley Electric Company, Inc.; and BankNorth Group, Inc. Robert Clarke is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc. Robert Clarke is a founder of the Vermont Public Education Partnership and serves as the Co-Chair of the Vermont Workforce Education and Training Consortium and as a member of the Commission on Higher Education Funding, the Vermont Higher Education Council, the Vermont Business Roundtable, the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies and the Vermont Small Business Development Center.
Kevin L. Dorn
Secretary - Agency of Commerce &
Community Development
Contact Information
State of Vermont
National Life Bldg, Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620
Phone: 828-5204
Biography
Kevin Dorn was appointed Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development on January 9, 2003. As Secretary of the Agency, he leads and coordinates the following Departments/Divisions:
Department of Economic Development
Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Department of Tourism and Marketing
Vermont Life Magazine
Division for Historic Preservation
Kevin was born in southern Ohio and raised in Minnesota. He graduated from Springfield (MN) Public School and graduated magna cum laude from Minnesota State University, Mankato. After graduation Kevin served as a staff assistant to Senator David Durenberger (MN) and as Legislative Assistant and Legislative Director of Congressman Frank Horton (NY). Kevin later worked as Manager of Congressional Affairs for Fairchild Industries and as Director of Government Affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Most recently, Kevin was the Executive Director of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont for ten years.
John N. Evans
Dean - College of Medicine
Contact Information
University of Vermont Health Science Complex
E-126 Given Building
Burlington, VT 05405
656-2156
Biography
John N. Evans, Ph.D., was named the 16th Dean of the University of Vermont College of Medicine in January, 2004. Dr. Evans, who is also a professor of physiology and biophysics, had been serving as Acting Dean since June, 2003.
Evans conceptualized and completed the construction of the $30 million Health Science Research Facility, and established a technology transfer process for the College that has resulted in increased patents and licensing agreements. Along with former Dean John Frymoyer, M.D., Evans also initiated the effort to redesign the medical curriculum that was launched in Fall 2003. External funding for research more than tripled between 1992 and 2003. As Senior Advisor to the President, Evans played a significant role in the acquisition of the Trinity College campus, led planning for the high technology incubator, and developed a strategic partnership with the State for a joint research facility.
Evans has published extensively on lung disease and served on the Editorial Board of several journals, including Pulmonary Pharmacology, American Review of Respiratory Diseases, and American Journal of Physiology. He is also a reviewer for the journals Lung, Experimental Lung Research, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and American Journal of Physiology.
A founding member of the Vermont Technology Council, Evans has served on the Board since 1992, and is also an active member of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Fletcher Allen Health Care, the College’s partner in Vermont’s only academic health center.
J. Michael Gower
VP Finance & Administration - UVM
Contact Information
Provosts Office
University of Vermont
352 Waterman
Burlington, VT 05405
656-0152
Biography
J. Michael Gower is is responsible for financial management, human resources, and operations/facility management at UVM.
Prior to joining the University, he was a higher education management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. He spent ten years at Duke University Medical Center where he held various positions including Assistant VP for Finance, Associate Chief Financial Officer (CFO of the School of Medicine), and Director of Financial Planning and Systems. Earlier experience in accounting roles was at Cornell University and Duke University. Gower has an BA and MBA from Duke University.
Michael J. Marx
Facilities & Site Operations Manager - IBM
Contact Information
1000 River Road, MS 9653L
Essex Jct., VT 05452
769-2315
Biography
After earning a BA from the University of Cincinnati in 1979, Michael Marx relocated to Vermont to work for IBM. He continued his education and received a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont in 1989. He holds a license to practice architecture in the State of Vermont.
At IBM, Mike started as a junior engineer and worked in various positions in the Site Operations Organization, including planning and acquiring local and Act 250 permitting for IBM’s facilities in Williston. He also managed construction and operations departments for IBM Burlington. In June of 2001 he was named the IBM Burlington Facilities and Site Operations Manager.
Mike has been a member of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee as well as a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable Utility Working Group. He has served as Chair of the Leadership Champlain Board of Directors and is currently a member of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation Board of Directors.
Richard W. Schneider
President - Norwich University
Contact Information
158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663
485-2065
Biography
Dr. Richard W. Schneider proudly carries on the tradition Norwich University founder Alden Partridge began over 180 years ago of developing “citizen-soldiers.” Through his experience in the military and academia, as well as his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Dr. Schneider epitomizes Norwich’s special and unique traditions.
A native of Queens, New York, Dr. Schneider is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he was Regimental Commander of the Corps of Cadets and Sailing Master on the Barque Eagle. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Coast Guard and served eight years of active duty, including a tour in Vietnam. Dr. Schneider retired from the Coast Guard Reserve as a Rear Admiral.
From 1985-92, Dr. Schneider served in several top administrative positions at Drexel University, including Vice President for Research, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Senior Vice President for Administration. In July 1992, he became the 23rd President of Norwich University. Over the past ten years, Dr. Schneider has championed Norwich’s charge into the next century on many levels.
Dr. Schneider earned his Master’s degree in Physical Sciences from Wesleyan University and a Doctorate degree in Public Policy from the University of Delaware. He has published articles and given many talks on research, productivity, financial systems and total quality management.
Lisa Ventriss
Executive Director - Vt Business Roundtable
Contact Information
69 Swift Street, Suite 300
So. Burlington, VT 05405
865-0410
Biography
Lisa Ventriss is President of the Vermont Business Roundtable, an independent non-profit and non-partisan organization comprised of 120 CEOs that seeks to enhance the public debate on complex policy issues by providing the highest quality research analysis and recommendations for actions, which are based on the experienced judgment of its members.
A native of Vermont, Lisa received her post-secondary education at the University of Vermont, earning a B.A. in Political Science (’77) and a Master of Public Administration (G ’91).
Lisa’s current community service includes her leadership as chairman of the Lund Family Center’s Board of Directors and co-chairman of its Capital Campaign; chairman of the United Way of Chittenden County and chairman of the 2001 Campaign.
Her professional affiliations include membership on the board of directors of the Maine Mutual Group; Chittenden Bank; Institute for Government Effectiveness; Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation; honorary membership in the Vermont Captive Insurance Association; and a member of the Vermont Women’s Forum.