APRIL 20, 2006
BRATTLEBORO, VT — The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has hired Jeffrey Lewis as the new executive director, effective immediately. According to BDCC Board of Trustees President Debbie Boyle, “Jeff has an ideal background for taking on this leadership position at BDCC. The other Trustees and I feel fortunate to have him join us, and are confident he’ll be a tremendous asset to the organization as we continue to play a significant role in the economic vitality of Windham County.”
BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth in Windham County. Its primary objective is to create and retain a flourishing business community that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents. Founded in 1955, BDCC owns and manages the Cotton Mill industrial park/incubator and the new business park at the former Book Press facility, and is one of 12 Vermont Regional Development Corporations.
According to BDCC Board of Trustees President Debbie Boyle, “Jeff has an ideal background for taking on this leadership position at BDCC. The other Trustees and I feel fortunate to have him join us, and are confident he’ll be a tremendous asset to the organization as we continue to play a significant role in the economic vitality of Windham County.”
Lewis has extensive expertise in organizational strategy, customer care, communications technology, and electronic marketing and commerce. His most recent experience includes working as the chief customer officer at Monster.com in Massachusetts, where he was a senior executive responsible for creating and implementing mature business practices based on customer loyalty in a fast-growing, internet-based company.
Since relocating to Brattleboro four years ago, Lewis has operated a management/marketing consulting firm called Customer Driven Market Strategy, which is focused on helping companies rebuild their business models and plans based on careful analysis of customer needs and market dynamic.
Lewis is also an adjunct faculty member teaching “Information Technology Strategy and Management” at the School for International Training, and chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Brattleboro Branch of SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
In addition, Lewis is minister of the Montague Congregational Church, works as a cook at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Windham County.
His background includes working with the Patricia Seybold Group in Boston, with the Phoenix Investment Partners of Hartford, Connecticut, and with the Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company of Enfield, Connecticut. He co-authored the book, The Customer Revolution, with Patricia Seybold and Ronni Marshak in 2001.
Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and mathematics from the University of Hartford (CT) and a Master of Divinity degree in theology and history from the Hartford Seminary Foundation.
“I am excited to be joining BDCC at this time,” says Lewis. “It is in strong financial shape and has a dedicated and experienced board. Also, it just recently chalked up two ‘firsts’ — in October 2005, Debbie Boyle became the first woman president in BDCC’s history, and just last month, BDCC culminated its first Business Plan Competition, which proved to be so successful, we are already planning to make it an annual event.”
For more information about BDCC, call 802-257-7731 or send an email to bdcc@sover.net.