The People Behind the Partnership
The Vergennes Partnership was born in 1999 after Vergennes earned the coveted status as an official Vermont State Designated Downtown. One of 25 Designated Downtowns in the State, we benefit from tax credits, grants and programs for which other Vermont communities are not eligible. As a direct result of our Downtown Designation, business owners and property developers in our downtown have been able to take advantage of over $900,000 in state tax credits to rehabilitate, upgrade and improve their properties. Additionally, the City of Vergennes has received close to $1,000,000 in Downtown Transportation grants to make our streets and sidewalks more visually pleasing and accessible to residents and visitors. The tax credits have leveraged over 6 million dollars in additional private investments and the grants have resulted in over $600,000 in downtown streetscape projects. The City of Vergennes has noticeably improved as a result of these investments. The Partnership is essential for Vergennes in order to keep its Designated Downtown status. With the continued success of the Vergennes Partnership and its supporters, the opportunities for the Little City are endless.
MISSION:
To enhance the economic viability of Vergennes and preserve the beauty and character of its downtown.
SLOGAN:
“Building Commerce, Community & Culture” speaks to the variety of activities and initiatives for which the Partnership is involved.
Our 25-26 Board of Directors
Laura Mack
Renny Perry
Scott Gaines
Kathy Clark
Shannon Atkins
Elise Shanbacker
William “Bill” Benton
Amy Djordjecic
Cory Foote
Jody Pierce
Lisa Godfrey
Jen Russell
Laura Mack
Laura Mack is the owner of Lu Lu Ice cream, a small batch ice cream and gelato shop in Vergennes known for its inventive flavors and commitment to locally sourced ingredients. Since relocating Lu Lu to Vergennes in 2018, Laura has worked to make both her business and her presence a cornerstone of the community A proud Vergennes resident, Laura is deeply engaged in civic life and currently serves several local boards, including the United Way of Addison County. Her leadership is rooted in a strong commitment to supporting local businesses and enriching the cultural and economic vitality of the city.
Renny Perry
Renny is retired from the state of Vermont Judiciary where he was the director of Trial Court Operations and responsible for the staff and operation of all courts in the state of Vermont (58 courts). Prior to his tenure with the state, served as City Manager of Vergennes. Previous to his moving to Vermont, he presided as city manager in Dover, NH, Rochester, NH, and Brewer, ME. In Dover, he was elected to its City Council and served as its mayo as well. In addition, he was Vice Chair of the Hooksett, NH Town Council.
Scott Gaines
Scott Gaines, owner of the Gaines Insurance Agency, has been in the insurance industry for over 40 years. A certified insurance counselor and accredited insurance advisor for over 30 years, Gaines is a lifetime Vergennes resident, a graduate of VUHS and Champlain College. His many community involvements include: Vergennes Rotary Club member since 1993, Past President 3 times. Vergennes Partnership board member since 1999 inception. Former Vergennes Area Chamber of Commerce President, 7+ years. Former VUES & VUHS former coach, basketball and Soccer. Vergennes Day Race Coordinator.
Kathy Clark
Kathy Clark had lived in the area for most of her life - a dairy farmer (15 years), milk truck driver (6years), bus driver (6 years), business owner of a home bakery, Gimme Some Sugar (10 years). For the past decade, she has worked at the National Bank of Middlebury. In the summer of 2024, had the opportunity to move to the Vergennes Branch as the manager and she feels like she’s finally at home! Kathy previously served for 7 years on the Addison Central School Board and as president and treasurer of the Commodore Friends of Music for 6 years. Presently, she is the Grandview Cemetery Association president and Addison’s town auditor.
Shanon Atkins
Shanon Atkins of Ferrisburgh brings more than two decades of banking leadership and community commitment to the board of the Vergennes Partnership. She serves as Vice President and Branch Manager at M&T Bank, a position she has held since September 11, 2003. Over the course of her tenure, Shanon has developed extensive experience in financial services, team leadership, and supporting the growth of local businesses and households. Throughout her career, Shanon has been committed to relationship-based banking and strengthening the economic vitality of the communities she serves. Her professional insight, steady leadership, and understanding of small-town business needs make her a valuable asset to the Vergennes Partnership Board. She is proud to support initiatives that enhance downtown vibrancy, promote local enterprise, and foster long-term community sustainability.
Elise Shanbacker
Elise Shanbacker serves as the Executive Director of Addison Housing Works, a non-profit that owns and manages over 700 safe and affordable homes for low and moderate income Vermonters. A Board member of the Vermont Community Development Association and Vergennes Partnership, Elise is passionate about small-town Vermont and especially Vergennes, where she’s lived since 2018 with her husband, rescue pup, two cats, and daughter. Previously, Elise was a senior Policy analyst at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, with a focus on workforce and economic development. A native of Washington, D.C., Elice first fell in lov with Vermont as a student at Middlebury College, graduating in 2007 with a BA in Sociology. She also Holds a Masters of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
William “Bill” Benton
A life long resident of Vergennes and married with 3 grown children. Recently retired, Bill was the president of W.D. Benton Real Estate Appraisers which was established in 1981. A graduate of Vergennes Union High School and The University of Vermont, he served as Chair of the Revitalization Oversight Committee (1999) and Vergennes Partnership president (1999-2006) Bill has previously served on City Council and two terms as Mayor of Vergennes. In addition, he has served as president of the Bixby Memorial Free Library Board of Trustees as well as the boards of the Vergennes Opera House and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes.
Amy Djordevic
While in college, Amy Djordjevic began working in the hospitality industry. In pursuit of her hotel and restaurant management degree, she answered phones, worked the front desk and became an assistant in the hotel catering department before participating in a management training program at Silicon Valley boutique hotel. Working in every department gave her a well-rounded base of knowledge that has served her throughout her career. Upon completion of the program, she ended up staying in the catering department, loving the challenges of event planning and being a part of successful events and family celebrations for her clients. Eventually, Amy sought out opportunities to work in smaller properties, including inns looking for innkeepers. To that end, she moved from southern California to southern Vermont in 2003. From there, a Hudson Valley startup gave her opportunity to be a part of the property’s success; one of her proudest career achievements. Amy is thrilled that she convinced her ever-loving husband, DJ, to pursue their own property together in 2019, the Strong House Inn in Vergennes. So dreams do come true - with a bit of planning.
Cory Foote
Cory is new to the VP Board last year and is ready to make a splash! For over 23 years, he owned and operated the beloved Small City Market in downtown Vergennes. After selling SCM in 2021, Cory returned to real estate, where he bring over 35 years of experience as a licensed broker. He now works with Berkshire Hathaway Home Sevices Vermont Realty Group in Vergennes. Cory’s commitment to community runs deep. A former member of the Middlebury Lions Club, he served two terms as King Lion and one term as a District 45 Director. He has been recognized with several honors, including the “Key to the City of Vergennes” in 2021 and the Friend of Addison County Firefighter’s Association award in 2020. When no working, Cory can often be found exploring the natural beauty of Vermont and Maine on long walks– where he comes up with both great(and not-so-great) ideas. True to his mottos, “it sounded better in my head” and “Together is better,” Cory brings humor, heart, and collaboration to all he does.
Jodi Pierce
Jody is a business Development Specialist for Guided Wealth Advisors, a private advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, LLC, locally owned. Jody has been in sales, marketing, and business operations for over 30 years. After resigning from WowToys after 28 years, to her new career with Guided Wealth Advisors, she now has more time for family. She is excited to be a member of Vergennes Partnership. Jody is a native Vermonter, both her and her husband come from large farm families. Their (4) children and (10) grandchildren have and are being raised in our community. They support a variety of local events and programs. They are licensed Foster Parents & for Elderly Care. Members of the Red Knights Chapter 4 (Fire fighters motorcycle group) for over 15 years supporting Addison County volunteer departments. They do a variety of fund raisers to give back to the local community. Such as but not limited to gas cards for hospital travel, holiday gifts and meals for families in hard times, assists with scholarships for cadets, fire-floods and other losses. Jody is grateful to be apart of this community that takes care of each other through the good and the tough times.
Lisa Godfrey
Native to the San Francisco Bay area, Lisa moved to Vermont in 2002 with her husband, Ted. Having received her MLA from UC Berkeley, she did consulting work for the Vermont River management program while they restored a 1810s brick house in Hinesburg. A year of teaching economics in Vietnam, preceded 5 years for consulting California vineyards and wineries on erosion control and sustainability while she and Ted restored anther slightly less old house in Napa. Moving back to Vermont in 2016, the settled in the greater Vergennes area(Ferrisburgh). Not being able to say “no” to an old building in need of repair, they purchased 135 Main in downtown Vergennes in 2022. After 2.5 years of work, Lisa opened Gather Vermont in the fall of 2024. The shop highlights locally made products, curated vintage items, plants, flowers, and candles. Lisa serves on the Vergennes Planning commission and is a member of the esteemed Bumpout Babes keeping the downtown gardens beautiful.
Jen Russell
Jen Russell serves as the Vergennes branch manager of One Credit Union, a member-owned institution with eight offices in Vermont and New Hampshire. With over 30 years of banking experience, Jen is a native Vermonter and lives in Vergennes with her family. Serving as Vergennes Partnership President for 3 years (2021-2023), she has served the community in several other ways, including: VUHS Boosters treasurer, City of Vergennes Auditor, Vergennes Rec youth sports program development committee and the Procity Basketball AAU committee.
Christine Garrow
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christine Garrow serves as the Executive Director of the Vergennes Partnership, stepping into the role in 2025. She is honored to continue the excellent work of her predecessor, Julie Basol, while helping guide the organization into an exciting new chapter.
Christine fell in love with Vergennes—often called The Little City—about five years ago when she moved to the area to begin a new phase of her life. Drawn to its historic charm and vibrant downtown, she first became involved with the Partnership as a volunteer, helping with the launch of the Vergennes Historic Sites Walking Tour.
Today, Christine leads the Partnership’s efforts to celebrate, promote, and strengthen the community. She can often be found in the office at City Hall, walking through downtown, or attending the many events, initiatives, and meetings that support and connect the Vergennes community.
Committees:
Design:Capitalizes on Vergennes’ best assets; creates an inviting atmosphere that conveys a message about what Vergennes Downtown is and what it has to offer.
Organization: Builds consensus and cooperation among groups that have an important stake in the downtown district.
Marketing & Promotion: Promotes downtown Vergennes as the center of commerce, culture and community life for residents and visitors.
Economic Development:Finds new purpose for downtown’s enterprises; helps businesses expand and recruits new ones to downtown; converts unused space into productive property and sharpens the competitiveness of the business enterprises.
Click HERE for more information on the committees.
Ideas and Volunteers Needed:
The goal of the Partnership is to help enable and guide projects born from the ideas and needs of residents and business owners in Vergennes. We welcome input and suggestions that will help ensure that the historic downtown survives, thrives and is recognized as one of the special places in Vermont, New England and the nation.
We also need volunteers - click HERE for more information on opportunities. If you would like to help with just one task or one project or get more information about the Vergennes Partnership, please contact us:
Vergennes Partnership, Inc.
PO Box 304
Vergennes, VT 05491
Christine Garrow, Executive Director
VergennesPartnership@gmail.com
802-398-7399 (c)