The VEOC Advisory Board provides guidance to the governing board on key issues affecting the organization. These issues include major policy decisions, legislative actions and recommendations, and the identification of funding sources.
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Bill Carris is the former owner of Carris Reels, Inc., a Rutland-based manufacturer of packaging for the wire and cable industry. The company was started by Bill’s father Henry in 1951 with two employees. Bill purchased the company from his father in 1980 and began crafting a long-term plan to move his company from family to employee ownership. In 1995, Bill sold the company to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In 2008, the company became 100% employee-owned and today employs more than 380 people in eight locations. Bill continues to serve on the board at the company and is also a Vermont State Senator representing Rutland County. |
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Tom Torti is the President and Administrative Officer of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, he served as Commissioner of Personnel, Commissioner of Buildings and General Services, Deputy Secretary of Administration, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, and Executive Director of the State's Attorneys and Sheriffs Department. Tom is actively involved in his community and the region, serving over the years on the Essex Select Board, Planning Commission, Chittenden County Transportation Authority, the Maple Leaf Farms Board of Directors, little league and soccer boards and coaching youth sports. |
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Steve Voigt is President and CEO of King Arthur Flour Company of Norwich, Vermont. Voigt joined the company in 1992 as VP of Finance, led the process of becoming 100% employee-owned starting in 1995, and become CEO in 1999. Prior to King Arthur Flour, Steve worked for Benedetto, Gartland & Greene in New York, where he raised private equity for venture, LBO and alternative asset funds. He is Past Chair of The ESOP Association and is also on the boards of Newport Harbor, King Arthur Flour, Kalow Technologies, the New England Mail Order Association and the Vermont Business Roundtable, where he serves as Vice Chair. |