Vermont Retail Association elects new officers

At its recent annual meeting, attended by both  Governor Peter Shumlin and Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, the Vermont Retail Association elected new officers to head its Board of Trustees. Longtime Stowe businessman Marc Sherman, owner of Stowe Mercantile, was elected President. Diana Newton, manager of the Bon Ton store in Burlington’s University Mall, was elected Vice President. Martha Dwyer, owner of The Ginger Tree in Rutland, was elected to serve another term as Secretary. Christine Tattersall, owner of Tattersall’s Clothing Emporium, was elected to serve as Treasurer?  

Outgoing President Bonnie Hawley, owner of Hawley’s Florist in Rutland, said “I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years as VRA’s President. I had the privilege of testifying at various hearings on unemployment, health care, credit card fees, deceptive advertising in the floral business, and other issues. Doing so, I realized anew how fortunate we are that Vermont is a small state, with uniquely accessible government, represented by people who truly care about our state and those who live here.” 

Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott, Mark Sherman, Governor Peter Shumlin.

President-elect Sherman stated, “I look forward to serving as VRA Board of Trustees President.  Every town, village and city in Vermont has a Main Street and in order to keep our communities vital, entrepreneurs and business owners need all the support they can get.  I believe VRA can play a major role in giving support to all retailers through our advocacy in the Vermont Legislature, our cost reducing programs VRA offers, and through the wealth of expertise of our current membership.” 

According to VRA Executive Tasha Wallis, “It’s impossible to say enough good things about Bonnie Hawley’s term as President of our board. She oversaw the association’s major transition from relative obscurity to a position of statewide authority and recognition. Her steady hand at the helm was invaluable.”  Wallis was equally enthusiastic about the coming years. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Marc Sherman. He knows retailing as well as anybody in Vermont, having operated a variety of successful businesses in Stowe since 1987. His fresh perspective and leadership skills will serve VRA well in an important period of growth. 

For more than 40 years, the Vermont Retail Association has helped thousands of Vermont businesses do business better. VRA is solely dedicated to Vermont’s retail community, providing advocacy, services and benefits statewide.