Montpelier, VT - A new slate of elected officers will serve in leadership positions on the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Board of Directors. “VEDA’s Board is comprised of experienced and dedicated professionals,” said Jo Bradley, VEDA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We deeply appreciate their work in helping to advance the Authority’s economic development mission.”

The newly elected VEDA Officers are:

Daniel Kurzman of Derby Line is VEDA's new chair. Kurzman, now retired, was the past Northeast Regional Manager of Operations for Ethan Allen overseeing the manufacturing and sawmill facilities in two states. During his tenure at Ethan Allen, Kurzman also held senior positions in Human Resources at both the regional and corporate level. Prior to his employment at Ethan Allen, Kurzman was a public school educator and administrator.

John Snow of Charlotte is VEDA’s new Vice-Chair. Snow has spent more than twenty years in international banking and investments. Most recently, Snow retired as Vice Chairman of State Street Global Advisors in Boston, the world’s second largest asset management company. In addition to his time with State Street, Snow’s varied career included senior executive positions at NatWest Bank in New York, PanAgora Asset Management in London, and The Boston Company in Boston and London.  Although in recent years he has had a focus on emerging markets and venture capital/private equity, Snow’s earlier career included work in private client trust management, mortgage banking and global custody banking.

Tom Gallagher of St. Albans has been elected VEDA’s Treasurer. Gallagher has been President and CEO of the Peoples Trust Company since 2011.  Prior to his appointment, Tom served as the bank’s Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Loan Officer and has held various positions within the institution during his 15-year career.  He also continues to participate on his family’s farm, which specializes in dairy and replacement cattle.  An Accounting graduate of Champlain College, Tom serves on various community-oriented boards, including the St. Albans Rotary Club.  He also currently serves on the Vermont Banking Association Government Relations Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee.

About VEDA

The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is Vermont’s economic development finance lender. Created by the Vermont General Assembly in 1974, VEDA’s mission is “to contribute to the creation and retention of quality jobs in Vermont by providing loans and other financial support to eligible and qualified Vermont industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises.”

VEDA offers a wide range of low-cost lending options for Vermont businesses and farms of all sizes, and the Authority’s lending solutions are customized to each borrower’s individual needs. Whether in the form of direct loans, tax-exempt bond issuance or loan guarantee support, VEDA’s innovative financing programs help ensure that Vermont businesses and farms have the capital they need to grow and succeed. VEDA most often lends in conjunction with banks and other financing partners, helping to stimulate economic development activity in Vermont.

Since inception, VEDA has provided over $2.288 billion in financing assistance to thousands of eligible Vermont entrepreneurs, manufacturers, small businesses, family farms, and agricultural enterprises. VEDA has five offices throughout Vermont – in Montpelier, Burlington, Middlebury, St. Johnsbury and Brattleboro. For more information about VEDA, visit www.veda.org or call 802-828-JOBS.