JERICHO, Vt. — The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association is pleased to announce the hiring of Amanda Voyer to be the association’s next Executive Director. Previously having served as the Communications Director for VMSMA, Ms. Voyer will be taking on a larger leadership role within the association and maple industry.
“Having grown up in Cabot, I saw at an early age how important farming and maple production are to Vermont’s economy and identity,” says Ms. Voyer, “and I am honored to continue the work I have been doing at VMSMA. With the sharp increase in Vermont’s maple production over the past decade coinciding with growing consumer interest in where food comes from, there is a great need and opportunity for expanding maple markets and it is exciting to be a part of those efforts.”
Hired to take on a newly created communications role with VMSMA in early 2015, Ms. Voyer has quickly become a mainstay in the Vermont maple community, helping to organize events like Maple Open House Weekend, the annual maple conferences, the 2016 International Maple Conference held in Burlington, and the Vermont Maple booth at The Big E in Springfield, MA. Her work with VMSMA’s website and social media accounts have helped to raise Vermont Maple’s digital profile and have become the backbone of the association’s consumer-focused outreach.
“I’m very pleased that Amanda has stepped up and demonstrated the leadership that Vermont maple needs,” said Matt Gordon who served previously as executive director at VMSMA. “She has stepped up during a busy time with proposed changes by the FDA around food nutrition labeling and proposed tariffs on maple syrup. Amanda has worked tirelessly for VMSMA and has made many personal connections throughout the industry and across the state during her time with the association. VMSMA is fortunate to have someone with the knowledge of the industry to step into the executive director role.”
“As VMSMA welcomes Amanda into her new leadership role, we would also like to formally thank Matt for his five plus years of excellent service in his role as VMSMA’s first ever Executive Director and for all his help in formulating a smooth transition,” said Pamela Green, a maple producer from Poultney and current Chair of the VMSMA Board of Directors. “Under Matt’s leadership VMSMA has made incredible strides helping its’ members move confidently into the future with a strongly laid platform that will help us face the many challenges ahead of the maple industry. We wish Matt all the best as he transitions from VMSMA’s Executive Director into an exciting entrepreneurial venture.”
The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association is a membership organization for maple producers, maple equipment manufacturers and dealerships, and maple buyers and processors. With a membership of about 1000 people or businesses, VMSMA has broad representation across all segments of the Vermont maple industry. Representing the collective interests of the entire maple industry in Vermont, VMSMA has long been a leader within the state and within the national and international maple community.
–Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association
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