Good Bye, So Long and Not Really Farewell

Good Bye, So Long and Not Really Farewell

On November 5th, after 14 years, one month and 5 days at the helm of the Lake Champlain Chamber, I will step down as President and Cathy Davis will assume those responsibilities. My role will be to raise funds for, and awareness of, the Lake Champlain Opportunity Fund: an investment that supports the Chamber’s community impact work.

During these past 14 years, we have witnessed enormous social and political changes in our state, country, and region. When I arrived, we were still trying to comprehend the changes wrought by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and, as I move to part-time status, we confront a pandemic, the eruption of long-simmering social injustices and a sociocultural divide in our country that dwarfs the schism we experienced during the 1960’s.

Transitions are times for reflection and my transition is no different. I am proud that the Chamber had the courage to take stands on some of the most controversial issues that our state has faced. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my Board of Directors and Executive Committee. As we struggled to reach consensus, they never hid behind the cozy and comfortable platitude “that’s really not a business issue”. Certainly, we didn’t always make the membership happy and we lost members for having the courage to take stands on social, economic and political issues .  It was always heartening to hear exasperated politicians complain that they couldn’t tell if we were a Democrat or Republican organization, as if business had to be one or the other! We rankled all sides by staking out reasoned and principled – not politically expedient -positions that balanced the interests of businesses, their employees and our Vermont communities. In confounding all political persuasions, I believe, on balance, we got it just right.

For those instances where we didn’t get it ‘just right’, the responsibility is mine. I won’t hide behind the Board, my staff or having been misquoted. I’ve never been bashful in letting people know where I stand and my diction is clear. While attending a wake in my home state ‘way back in the day’, I heard mourner opine about the deceased: “well, he never took anyone from behind”. Leaving that particular soul out of the equation, I figured that was good counsel to live by. I tried to be straight with everyone and damn the fallout. We don’t get any ‘do overs’ in life.

As I transition into my new role, the Chamber is in very competent hands. Cathy and I are two very different personalities – thank God for that – and there has never been a better time for a “refresh”. I am excited to step back and watch this organization continue to be the best voice for business and prosperity for all Vermonters.