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• Steve Koenemann, President
After graduating from the University of Vermont ('77) with a B.S. degree in Biological Science, Steve served in the Peace Corps for a period of time as a secondary school teacher in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He then spent several years working as a construction salesman and project manager before returning to the University of Vermont to pursue a Fifth-Year certificate in secondary education. Steve spent the next 5 years in the classroom teaching Science to 7th and 8th Grade students at Camels Hump Middle School in Richmond. He moved on to the National Life Insurance Co. where he worked as a PC applications programmer and systems analyst. He left National Life in 1990 to co-found a technology consulting business in South Burlington where he served as its President and CEO until 2001. Steve then took up the challenge of helping to feed hungry Vermonters by working at the Vermont Foodbank as their Director of Operations until 2003. He is currently the Chief Information Officer at the Vermont State Employees Credit Union in Montpelier. Steve lives in Berlin with Candy, his wife of 26 years, and their three cat companions. They have two grown children who live in the Burlington area. Steve has been a Project Independence Board member for a total of 4 years and has served as its Board chairman for the last year.
• Susan Kerin Houle, Vice-President
Susan Houle, of Montpelier, joined the Project Independence Board in 2009. She has worked for the State of Vermont for 9 years as a Tax Examiner in the Department of Taxes. She was in banking for over 26 years at the Vermont National Bank until its merger at the end of 1999. She served in many capacities from Teller to Branch Manager and Operations Officer overseeing 6 branches. She has served on many committees and boards over the years. She has been serving on the Corporate Cup and State Agency 5K race committee for the last 17 years. Susan volunteers and enjoys assisting seniors, shut-ins and low income individuals with their taxes through the AARP Tax Aide Program. Susan lives in Montpelier with her husband, Rene, of 33 years. They have two grown children in the Central Vermont area.
• Barb Clark, Secretary
Barbara became a board member in 2010 and is a lifelong resident of Websterville, where she lives with her husband of 35 years, Doug. They have four grown children and six amazing grandchildren. Barb recently retired from TD Bank after 20 years in various positions and is enjoying spending time with her husband and family. While raising her family, Barb volunteered as a room mother for her children's classrooms and was a Cub Scout den mother. During her banking career, Barb participated in United Way fundraisers, worked with other bank employees to provide Christmas gifts and meals for families in need and donated time to various other volunteer opportunities. Now that she is retired, Barb plans to spend more time assisting at Project Independence in whatever capacity is needed.
• Carol Mielke, Treasurer
I have lived in Vermont since 1970, moving from Massachusetts where I attended high school then attending Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Since moving to Montpelier in 1980, I have been employed by the Vermont Medical Society (1980-83) and then the Vermont Association of Hospital and Health Systems (VAHHS) to date. While employed with VAHHS, I have had several positions including administrative assistant, public relations development and meeting coordinator. I am currently the Director of Fiscal Services in charge of all in-house accounting including payroll, AR, AP and publishing the monthly financial reports. I am also responsible for preparation and coordination of the annual audit. I became aware of Project Independence after my mother came to live with me from Cape Cod, and while I was searching for activities for her. Personal interests include rug hooking, bridge playing and activities such as water aerobics, snow shoeing and general exercise.
• Doug Burnham
Doug, a lifetime Vermonter, is an Aquatic Biologist who worked for the State of Vermont from 1972 until his retirement in 2009. After getting his BS from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, Doug served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast for three years. Doug was the Chairperson of the Central VT Chapter of Ducks Unlimited from 1980 until 2005. He also served as Chair of the Vermont Pesticide Advisory Council from 1995 to 2007. Doug's daughter, Ella is a "Floor Attendant" at P.I., and he has been volunteering at P.I. for the past several months. He and his wife, Mary who is an Entomologist for the State of Vermont, live in Montpelier. In his spare time, Doug enjoys photography, golfing, fishing, hunting, natural history, entomology and reading.
• Bob O'Donnell
Bob's volunteer service has included being an overnight volunteer for 10 years and board member for 3 years with the Good Samaritan Haven in Barre. In addition to joining the Project Independence Board in 2010, he has been a member of the Personnel Committee of the Family Center of Washington County for several years. Bob earned a BS degree in Human Resources from American International College and an MBA from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was employed in professional Human Resources for over 40 years, primarily in the hospital setting, in Massachusetts and Vermont, retiring from Central Vermont Medical Center in 2004. Bob remained active in Human Resources with part time employment at Norwich University for 4 years and also a temporary position at Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice for a year. He also was employed in a part time marketing position with Cabot Creamery for about 3 years. Bob and his wife Anne, a retired teacher, live in Montpelier They have 4 grown children and 12 grandchildren
Allan is a 40 year resident of Calais. He is the founder and has been the principal Management Consultant of Allan Mackey Associates since 1977. Prior to that, he worked as Director of Government Services with the Ameerican Management Association in New York City, and as Director of Employment Opportunities for the State of Vermont. A graduate of Temple University, Allan received his MBA from harvard School of Business in 1970. Among his extensive community service, he has served on the Corporate Board of Central Vermont Medical Center since 1997, and as a Board Member of Central Vermont Physician Practice Corporation from 1997-2007. Allan has been on the Advisory Board of the UVM College of Education since 1999, and served as a Board Member of the Vermont Humanities Council from 2003-2006. As a trained public speaker, Allan is a presenter on American popular culture and the hisotry of rock 'n' roll. Allan grew up in the Philadelphia area and is a lifetime Phillies fan. He and his wife, Helen have two sons and frive grandchildren.
Sue is a lifetime Vermonter and has been a Customer Relations Representative for Amerigas in Barre since April of 2011. Prior to that, she served in that same position for Laborie Medical Technologies in Williston for two years, and for White & Associates in Barre. Overall, she has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry and 10+ years administrative with a CPA. Sue has served as a Hospice Volunteer for Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, and is on the Baord of the Wildersburg Home Owners Association. She is a respite caregiver for her niece, and was involved for many years in fundraising for the March of Dimes, through Vermont Mutual. A resident of Barre, Sue enjoys free time at her family camp, cooking and basketweaving, and hosts an annual corn roast.
Larry has lived in Vermont most of his life. He graduated from Marshfield-Plainfield High School in 1963. After working at odd jobs for a few years, Larry started his own cleaning company and vacuum repair business. Following a serious illness in 1989, he was a driver for National Life, transporting clients to and from the Burlington Airport. He has also driven for Wheels on Meals, Project Independence and GMTA. He is now spending his time at the family vacuum cleaner business and he says retirement is just around the corner!
Chip was born and raised in Rutland, VT. He graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1970 and earned his BS Degree in Behavioral Science and Psychology from Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT in 1974. Chip is married to Lisa Castle, first grade teacher at Barre City Elementary School and they have two daughters, Larissa and Lisabeth, and one grandson. Some of Chip's work history includes the Rutland County Nutrition Project where he started many of the meal sites and senior centers throughout Rutland County; State of Vermont Office on Aging where he strted out as Aging Program Specialist and was a part of the Management Staff when he left State Government; and Executive Director of the Central Vermont Council on Aging. Presently Chip serves as Executive Director of the Barre Housing Authority. He has served 10 years on the Barre Town Select board; has been a United Way volunteer; served on various non-profit boards ad is presently a member of the Barre Rotary Club.
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Staff/Directors