Meet Us: Staff & Board of Directors

Executive Director: Bernie Carr
Co-owner of Carr's Gifts with his wife Beth, they have been serving the Brandon community since 1978 as a florist until 2018 and as a gift & home shop until the present. Bernie and Beth both have been Chamber members for decades and have served as frequent multi-term directors and presidents. Bernie has been the Executive director since 2014 and as such is the face of the Chamber. Responsibilities include general running of the day to day business of the board, organizing special events and publishing the newsletter. If you call or email the chamber, it is Bernie who will be your cheerful and knowledgeable first point of contact.

President: Pat Wood
Pat grew up on a local family vegetable farm and was the one manning the roadside market, along with her Grandmother, for many years. After some time away post-college, working in manufacturing engineering, hospitality and software, Pat has returned to Brandon and continues the family tradition of community service and volunteerism. Pat is an individual member.

Vice President: Nancy Spaulding Ness
Individual member

Treasurer: Laurie Bertrand

Laurie Bertrand CPA has been serving the tax and accounting needs of businesses and individuals in Rutland and Addison County since 1999. As well as serving as Chamber treasurer, she's involved in many local activities and organizations while also serving as the chair of the OVUHS school board for many years.

Clerk: Geoff Watson has been the branch manager of National Bank of Middlebury since 2021 and brings great energy to the board while also taking on the valuable duties of clerk of the board.

Board members:  Pat Wood- Individual Member, Laurie Bertrand- Laurie Bertrand CPA, Gary Marini- New England Woodcraft, Russ McColman- Individual Member, Joan Rowe- Rowe Real Estate, Jack Schneider- Brandon Yoga Center, Nancy Spalding-Ness- Individual Member, Missi Case- Bar Harbor Bank, Tom White- Individual Member, Heather Nelson- Brandon Speech-Language Pathology, Kirk Thomas- Vermont Protective Coatings, Betsy Quigley- Lilac Inn, Geoff Watson- National Bank of Middlebury,  and Lynn Wilson- Individual member.