At its annual meeting on July 19, the Vermont Farmers Food Center’s (VFFC) Board of Directors voted in four new board members and thanked two outgoing board members for their dedicated service to the organization.
“VFFC would not be where it is today without its many talented and dedicated volunteer board members. We are grateful to have had Chris Keyser and Mary Ashcroft with us to advance our work on the board,” stated Greg Cox, VFFC board president. “As treasurer, Chris was instrumental in setting up our financial systems. And Mary guided us in strengthening our nonprofit governance. Our new board members will build on the foundation both Chris and Mary helped establish.”
Joining VFFC’s board are: DeMetris Reed, Jr., Meadow Squier, Raymond A. DiPrinzio, and Scott Garren.
“Our new board members bring a breadth of expertise and energy that will be valuable as Farmers Hall reopens this fall and as we begin planning the renovation of the rest of our buildings,” Cox said.
The four new board members have experience in farming, meat processing, food business, food safety training, non-profit governance, infrastructure banking and finance, and information technology.
DeMetris Reed, Jr. recently moved with his family to Vermont from Texas. He is a Vermont Farmers Market vendor and owns Making the CuTX, a specialty barbecue product business. He is also an assistant professor of animal science at Sul Ross State University. Reed previously served on VFFC’s meat processing advisory committee.
Meadow Squier is a farmer in Rutland County who operates the 300-acre Squier Family Farm with her husband and brother. She and her family have been part of VFFC since its founding in 2012. Squier also served on VFFC’s meat processing advisory committee and VFFC’s Online Market and Wholesale Food programs advisory committee.
Ray DiPrinzio and his late wife, Lisa Garson, have lived in Shrewsbury for the past 30 years. Originally from New York City, DiPrinzio has extensive experience serving on the boards of nonprofit and community organizations. His professional expertise as an infrastructure banker includes negotiating construction and development agreements and permitting for a wide range of public-use infrastructure projects.
Scott Garren lives in Shrewsbury and, for over 30 years, has been developing information technology solutions for clients. He served as a project manager and director of marketing for many IT companies and assisted Fortune 100 companies in developing worldwide voice and data networks. He has worked with libraries, schools, districts, and state Departments of Education to plan, design, and implement effective computer and network systems.
Cox added, “We are thrilled to add these four experienced community members to the board of directors. We look forward to great things to come at VFFC.”
