Staff from The Bank of Bennington providing a donation to board members of the newly formed Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation. Courtesy photo.
$150,000+ Already Committed to Advance Regional Economy Through Workforce, Business & Community Development
Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, January 30, at Monument Arts and Cultural Center, bringing together more than one hundred Chamber members, board directors, staff, and regional stakeholders for an evening that marked a pivotal moment in the organization’s history.
The centerpiece of the evening was the public unveiling of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation, a newly formed charitable organization dedicated to advancing the regional economy through workforce development, business growth, leadership, research, and community investment.
During the announcement, Chamber leaders revealed that more than $150,000 has already been committed to the Foundation, signaling strong early confidence and momentum. Founding investments were recognized on stage, including leadership support from The Bank of Bennington, The Right Track Foundation, and seed investment from the Southwestern Vermont Chamber itself.
“This Foundation exists for one reason: to accelerate progress in ways the Chamber alone cannot,” said Matt Harrington, CEO of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation. “It allows us to attract philanthropic capital, secure grants, and make long-term investments that strengthen our workforce, grow businesses, and build resilient communities across Southwestern Vermont.”
A New Platform for Regional Impact
While the Chamber continues its advocacy and membership-driven work, the Foundation creates a complementary, charitable vehicle focused on long-term regional capacity building. Its early priorities include:
Workforce development and talent attraction
Entrepreneurship and small business support
Leadership development and civic capacity
Destination marketing and regional storytelling
Data, research, and insight to guide smart decision-making
The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors, formally introduced during the meeting:
Chair: Shannon McLenithan of the Bank of Bennington
Vice Chair: Caryn Packard of Southwestern Vermont Health Care
Directors: Ahmad Yassir of Vermont News and Media, JJ Williams of Williams Financial, and Matt Harrington of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber
Leadership Milestone for the Chamber
The Annual Meeting also marked a significant leadership transition. After ten years at the helm, Matt Harrington was formally named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Foundation, reflecting the expanded scope and complexity of the organization’s work.
Since joining the Chamber nearly a decade ago, Harrington has overseen substantial growth in programming, partnerships, and regional influence including a reimagined Garlic Fest in Garlic Town, USA, Homebrew Festivals, Women in Leadership and Heart of The Shires Luncheons and Chamber Telecasts during the pandemic. His professional achievements include earning the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, serving as current Chair of the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE), graduating from the national Institute for Organization Management (IOM), and serving as IOM faculty. The CEO role also oversees two additional affiliated nonprofit organizations The Shires Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) and The Shires Young Professionals (SYP), as well as the Bennington State Welcome Center.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve all of you and this region. Thank you for that privilege,” stated Harrington during the meeting. “Over the past decade, we have weathered change, embraced opportunity, and proven that Southwestern Vermont moves forward when we move forward together. We’ve built programs and festivals, strengthened partnerships, elevated our collective voice, and helped shape an economy rooted in resilience and community. And standing here today — ten years later — I can say with absolute clarity: we are just getting started.”
Governance, Recognition & Looking Ahead
Members in attendance also approved the 2026 Chamber operational budget and recognized the service of retiring board members Tom Dailey, Brenda Jones, Representative Mary Morrissey, and current board treasurer Bill Deveneau. The Chamber welcomed three new directors to the Board: Alex Figueroa, Ed Barbeau, and Jessica Smith Hartleben.
The evening celebrated excellence across the region with the presentation of four annual awards:
New Member of the Year: Haberdasher Wine & Provisions of Bennington
Member of the Year: Hoffman Car Wash
Regional Visionaries Award: Steve & Lauren Bryant of Church Street Hospitality
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Dailey, former Treasurer of the Chamber and attorney at Cummings and Dailey, LLP
“From the very beginning, Tom was there with me and for me — especially when I was a young director, when times were tough, or when the path forward wasn’t clear. He would say in that calm, comforting voice we know him for, ‘Just keep going, Matt. It’ll be fine,’” remarked Harrington while presenting the Lifetime Achievement award. “From steering Chamber finances through uncertainty to helping lead record-breaking Garlic Fests, bringing the Vermont Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C., and supporting signature events like Moosefest, Catamount Prowl, and our car shows, Tom has been a steady force – often in the background – reminding us all to keep moving forward.”
An Invitation to Invest in the Region’s Future
With governance in place, early capital committed, and a clear first-year focus on building strong systems and listening to community needs, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation officially begins its work.
“This launch is not just an announcement; it’s an invitation,” Shannon McLenithan, president of the Chamber board and chair of the Foundation board said. “An invitation to invest in a more vibrant, resilient, and prosperous Southwestern Vermont. Together, we can ensure the next generation can live, work, and thrive right here in The Shires.”
For more information on the Chamber Foundation visit: www.swvtchamber.com/foundation
After a decade of service to the Chamber, Matt Harrington was named CEO of the organization
Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation Board Members, left to right, Matt Harrington, Ahmad Yassir, Chair Shannon McLenithan, Vice Chair Caryn Packard and JJ Williams receive a donation from The Right Track Foundation
Nicholas Burchell, Joshua Willetts and Kevin Zalaznik of Hoffman Car Wash receive the Member of the Year award from the Chamber
Brandy Lesser and Chris Macksey of Haberdasher Wine & Provisions receive the New Member of the Year award from the Chamber
Tom Dailey of Cummings and Dailey LLP receives the Lifetime Achievement award from the Chamber
The Southwestern Vermont Chamber extends its sincere thank you to the many partners and sponsors who made the 2026 Annual Membership Meeting possible, including our hosts at Monument Arts & Cultural Center, bar service provided by Southshire Inn, and catering by Madison Brewing Company. We are grateful for the leadership support of our Presenting Sponsor Heritage Family Credit Union, Executive’s Circle sponsor Oliver Auto Group, Toast sponsor Hoffman Car Wash, and Media partner Vermont News and Media. An additional thank you to our Small Business Supporters: Sarah Wilson Attorney at Law and Eastrise Credit Union, as well as The Gift Garden for the beautiful floral arrangements, Maxwell Ward for the night’s photography and chocolate gift for attendees provided by the Village Chocolate Shoppe.
About the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Founded more than a century ago, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce promotes, leads, and supports a unified effort to maintain and improve a healthy business climate and a rewarding quality of life for the entire Shires of Southwestern Vermont region.
BENNINGTON, VT (February 2, 2026) — www.swvtchamber.com.
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