Awardees Announced from Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region 2025 Annual Meeting
Each year, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) honors our local community members and businesses. During the 2025 CEDRR Annual Meeting, four deserving awardees were awarded.
Volunteer of the Year/Decades – Bernie Carr
Bernie and Beth Carr have been pillars of the Brandon community, running their businesses, volunteering, and helping to keep the town always moving forward. For Bernie, starting a successful anchor business in the heart of the Downtown wasn’t enough for the local Otter Valley graduate. Bernie immediately threw himself into the work of making Brandon a more functional community. As Bill Moore recently said, “There isn’t a corner of the town’s function that hasn’t had the Bernie touch.” From the school to regional transportation council, marketing, business outreach and even serving as moderator for town meetings, Bernie is there whenever positive things are happening. The office at the back of his shop is “the room where it happens.” Bernie began performing acts of community development before the term “community development” came into vogue. A connector of the right people to the right mission, Bernie has been the catalyst behind the transformation of Rutland County’s north star. Simply put, Brandon isn’t Brandon without Bernie.
The town of Brandon describes itself as “a quintessential small town with a village feel. At the foothills of the Green Mountains and close to Lake Dunmore, Brandon is centered on the Neshobe River where you are greeted by a vibrant village center, excellent schools, recreation opportunities, exciting dining options, and diverse lodging accommodations. Brandon’s lively arts community has been dubbed ‘the art and soul of Vermont.’ Brandon truly is ‘unhurried, unspoiled, and unforgettable’ and is the ideal place to begin exploring the Vermont brand.”
In that description, the word “soul” sticks out. CEDRR suggests that the vibrant soul of Brandon is Bernie Carr. For more than 47 years, Bernie, with his wife Beth at his side, has been the inspiring soul of progress in Brandon. He recognizes that it is the spirit inside of us that makes the difference. That spirit recognizes the relationships between people is the secret sauce to success. CEDRR would like to thank Bernie Carr for being a model for the rest of us to follow. We thank Beth for encouraging Bernie to never stop.
There are very few Rutland County people as deserving of a Volunteer of the Year, Decades, or even a Lifetime Award. In recognition of years of humble service in support of the Town of Brandon and our Rutland Region, we recognize Bernie Carr.
Community Leader of the Year – Russ Marsan
To call Russ Marsan bigger than life would be an understatement. The energy and commitment that Russ brings to everything that he does is nothing short of, unmatched.
When presented with a problem or idea, Russ is ready to run through walls to get to “YES,” and it is almost impossible not to follow him. He is a magnet of inspiration.
Whether it is as the moving force and board chair of Come Alive outside, in his role with the Shriners, or in his role as CEDRR Board President, Russ takes on a project and guides it successfully over the finish line.
The best example is the most recent Bring Back the Trades Expo. There are not too many people who could pull off attracting 70 businesses and over 2,000 high school aged students from Vermont, New Hampshire and New York to an event, but Russ did. The remarkable thing is that he did it in four months and raised $200,000 to make it happen.
When Russ says, “Let’s get this done,” you can count on the fact that whatever “it” is, will get done. More importantly, when Russ says, “I’ve got your back,” you can count on it. Russ has taught many people within the community a lot, including the fact that relationships are what life is all about. When his team is up early doing a project, he has donuts and coffee. When a problem arises, he gathers people together and turns the problem into an opportunity.
Our region is lucky to have people like Russ, people who have your back, no matter what.
In recognition of his tireless commitment to the community and exemplary leadership, CEDRR recognizes Russ Marsan as CEDRR’s Community Leader of the Year.
Innovator of the Year – Casella Waste Systems
Founded in 1975, as a single truck waste collection company, Casella quickly realized the need for preserving natural resources and creating value from waste streams, establishing Vermont’s first recycling facility in 1977. Today the company’s commitment to service, resource management, and giving resources new life continues to drive economic and environmental sustainability throughout its 13-state operating footprint. Whether it is using landfill gas to power homes or provide heat and vehicle fuel, recycling over a million tons of material, or finding solutions to make modern life safe from pollution, Casella is leading the way in sustainable materials management innovation.
Casella’s ongoing focus towards identifying next-generation innovative solutions is what continuously sets them apart from their competitors. From mattress recycling to food waste solutions, Casella is committed to solving society’s most pressing environmental challenges. Recognizing that we all have a critical role to play in driving a more circular economy, Casella is uniquely positioned to innovate across all sectors to enable their customers to meet their sustainability goals.
In addition to providing the services and infrastructure that solve today’s challenges, Casella is also investing in the future of innovative problem-solving by partnering with the region’s top research universities, like the University of Vermont (UVM). This year, the company committed $1.5 million to UVM to establish the Casella Center for Circular Economy and Sustainability, a research hub developing sustainable solutions for waste and materials management that reduce pollution and create economic opportunities. This collaboration seeks to close the gaps between academic research, private industry, and public policy makers to more effectively innovate to solve problems in a more environmentally and economically sustainable way for all stakeholders.
It is not solely through those services that sustainable innovation occurs. What sets Casella apart is its focus on people. In 2020, recognizing the need for a ready and trained workforce, Casella established the Kenneth A. Hier Sr. CDL Training Center. The Center, which provides training, room, and board valued at $5,000 per student, is held over 10 days, has a nearly 100 percent pass rate for its graduates, and requires a two-year employment commitment. To date, the Center has graduated close to 400 students and put them on a debt-free career path. It now includes a Diesel Technician training program that provides similar opportunities for mechanics entering the field.
From a single truck here Rutland County in 1975, to a national leader in sustainable materials management, Casella has never stopped innovating. Today, they are shaping the future of environmental stewardship. Casella’s story is one of vision, action, and impact—and that is why they are being honored.
In recognition of work leading the Rutland Region, our state, New England and beyond towards a more innovative, creative, and inspired future CEDRR is awarding John and Doug Casella of Casella Waste Systems the Innovator of the Year Award.
Business Leader of the Year – Mike Solimano
Mike Solimano’s journey at Killington started in 2002, when he began as CFO following seven years as an Audit Manager at Deloitte and five years as VP of Finance at Dynastar. In his over two decades at Killington, including the last 13 years as President & General Manager, Mike has helped transform the resort into a true four-season destination, highlighted by the launch of the Beast 365 Pass, which gives guests year-round access to skiing and riding, mountain biking, golf, and more. He has overseen acquisitions of several local properties to expand affordable employee housing, invested in Vermont State University’s Resort and Hospitality Management program, and brought in landmark events like the Audi FIS Ski World Cup and Fox US Open of Mountain Biking. Mike was instrumental in the resort’s recent transition to independent ownership, highlighted by a third-party auditor finding that the management team Mike leads is one of the best in the industry and earning him his current title of President & CEO.
Mike has won and accepted many ski industry accolades over the years, including the first-ever Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum Community Award in 2018. The NSAA recognized Killington as winner of Best Collision Prevention Program for the fourth time in 2023, at the same conference where Mike also won the 2023 SAMMY Leadership Award from Ski Area Magazine (SAM) in the “builder of teams” category. Most recently, the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance (VOBA) named Mike as the recipient of their fourth annual U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Award, which “recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy through leadership in sustainability, community investment, and economic growth.”
Mike also holds board positions for several local and regional organizations, including Killington Mountain School, Ski Vermont, Vermont Business Roundtable, Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), Vermont Futures Project, and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. He has been recognized internally at Killington for improving both guest and employee experiences and has earned the trust of many business owners and town officials, highlighted by the ongoing Killington Forward Initiative. Outside of the office, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, or playing tennis. He lives in Rutland with his wife, Cara, and their three children, Connor, Hannah, and Lauren. If you visit Killington in the winter, you might even find Mike helping with traffic control in a parking lot or sitting alongside you on a gondola ride.
In recognition of inspiring leadership and amazing teamwork focused on customer satisfaction CEDRR thanks Mike Solimano as our Business Leader of the Year.
Each year reminds us that the Rutland Region’s greatest strength is its people, the leaders, doers, and dreamers who make things happen. CEDRR remains committed to recognizing and supporting the individuals and organizations that keep our community thriving. Congratulations to all 2025 awardees! We look forward to celebrating more extraordinary people and progress at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
