Meet The Team

Jeanne Mintrone

"I'm humbled and thrilled to be the Director at the Better Bennington Corporation.  This role allows me to give back to the community that I love and admire, recognizing its strengths and challenges.  Growing up in Bennington and Pownal, I ventured out after high school, attended college, and began my career in Florida.  After decades of travel and professional experiences, I appreciate Bennington as a hidden gem in Vermont.  Working with the BBC to support this vibrant community is not just a job- it's an enriching journey."

Kalen Sargent

Bio to come...

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Bio to come...

Keith Carey

Keith is the owner and operator of Gamers' Grotto on Main Street.  He also serves on the Economic Vitality Committee of the Better Bennington Corporation.  His expertise and experience in on-line gaming relates well to the on-line retail competition that will continue to challenge downtowns in the coming years.

Colleen McQuade

Colleen McQuade, president of the Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont and owner of Juniper Lane Cannabis, holds a Master's Degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. With a diverse background that includes working for medical cannabis companies, wholesaling functional glass art, and working with traumatized communities, she has become a vocal advocate for the healing power of cannabis. Locally, McQuade has also made significant contributions by supporting the arts, music, environment, and community through partnerships with Lake Paran, Vermont Art Exchange, and Queer Connect. Her passion for creating a welcoming community space is evident as she aims to provide education and promote the benefits of cannabis at Juniper Lane. Supported by her Main Street neighbors and the Bennington community, McQuade is eager to make a positive impact in the world of cannabis retail and the Bennington community.

Shelly Colvin

Shelley Colvin was born and raised in Bennington and graduated from MAUHS. She currently resides in Shaftsbury with her daughter. She was employed by Chittenden Bank for 22 years and held the title of Market Manager/AVP. In 2010 Chittenden Bank was acquired by Peoples United Bank. In 2022 People’s United Bank was acquired by M&T Bank. Shelley is now a Sales Strategy Specialist/VP, supporting 22 branches in VT and NH. She has been in banking for 38 years. 

She is an active member of the Bennington community. She also serves as Secretary of the Charles Cooper and Elizabeth Kelley Scholarship Fund. She has served as Treasurer of the Bennington County Meals Program, Treasurer of the Bennington County Coalition of the Homeless, and Treasurer of Bennington Project Independence. She volunteers for community events, such as Mayfest, Harvest Fest, Relay for Life, the Epilepsy Foundation radio auction, United Way Day of Caring, and Garlic Town. She strongly believes that it is up to each of us as citizens to become involved in the communities we serve to make them a place in which we are proud to call home.

Susan Plaisance

Susan Plaisance has called Vermont home since 1991, when she and her husband, Steve, settled here to raise their family. Their son, Michael, is a graduate of Castleton University and works as an athletic trainer at St. Peter’s Sports & Spine. He lives in Troy with his fiancée and their two cats. Their daughter, Carly, graduated from Russell Sage College and works as an RN with SVMC in Women & Children while living in Hoosick Falls.

For over two decades, Susan has worked in the advertising department at the Bennington Banner and the Manchester Journal. Since 2017, she has also been an active part of the Better Bennington Corporation and currently serves on the MAU School Board.

Giving back to the community has always been a priority for Susan. She has volunteered her time with Warm the Children, Garlic Town, SoberFest, Toys for Tots, and countless other local events. Whether through her professional work, community service, or board involvement, Susan is dedicated to helping Bennington thrive.

Michael Keane

Michael is the past president of the Board of Directors of the Better Bennington Corporation and current vice president; a past member of the Bennington Select Board; a member since 2012 of the Vermont Economic Progress Council and vice chair; a member of the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone team and Bennington Regional Economic Development Group. Michael also serves as vice president of the Center for Communication in Medicine and a past board member of the American Lung Association of Vermont.

Michael McDonough

Michael is a Bennington native and retired architect. He served on the steering committee, which led to the formation of the Better Bennington Corporation. He has served as a member of the Board and as chair of the Design Committee since the 1990’s and has served two terms as Board President.  Michael was a 1998 charter gubernatorial appointment to the Vermont Downtown Development Board, now the Vermont Community Investment Board, and continues to serve. He is a former Bennington Assistant Town Manager, interim Community Development Director, and interim director of the BBC. He chairs Bennington’s Historic Preservation Commission and serves on the Vermont District 8 Environmental/Act 250 Commission for Bennington County. He resides in Bennington with his wife, Sandy, and Old English Sheepdog Sherlock. “It has been a privilege to serve with a broad group of people who are deeply committed to Bennington, our Downtown, and it’s success.”

Ahmad Yassir

Ahmad sits on the Promotions and Downtown Design Committees. A graduate of Bennington College, he brings experience in international education and art administration. Ahmad currently works at Vermont News & Media, where his passion for community drives his involvement in regional marketing and promotions. He also serves on the boards of the Better Bennington Corporation and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and directs NBOSS, the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show. Recognized for his contributions, Ahmad has received the Young Person in Business Award from the SWVT Chamber, Vermont 40 Under 40 by VermontBiz, and multiple New England Newspaper Awards from NENPA.

Mike Cutler

Mike works at CAT-TV, our local community media station, as the Production Manager. Mike is also a freelance videographer and photographer with a passion for cars and weddings. His freelance work has taken him all over the country for auto shows, new vehicle launch programs, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and more. Mike is honored to be a 2018 Rising Star in Vermont, a four-time Telly Award winner, and a 2021 SYP Non-Profit Member of the Year. When he is not busy at work you can find him on the stage for a Bennington Community Theatre or Dorset Players production!

Joe Frey

Joe comes to the table with a plethora of corporate sales, marketing and graphic design experience. His appetite for finding the perfect typography and/or color palette to create something unique; fuels his love for graphic design. Fresh out of college he worked for a non-profit at the collegiate level as an SID. In his mid-20’s he pursued his childhood dream as a singer/songwriter. He was featured on national television and opened for several Grammy nominated artists on tour. Through all that he managed to squeeze in seven years of navigating the rough seas of the telecom sales world to refine his sales skills. He now resides in his 1930’s Vermont home that’s in an endless state of renovation with his wife, Sara, and their four children.

Michael Madison

Michael (Mike) Madison, his wife Betsy, and their two children are long-time Bennington residents, loved by all who know them.  Mike grew up and attended schools in the area before moving to Florida with his wife, where he was trained in the brewing trade and management. After several years and a successful career in Florida, the couple returned to town to be closer to family while raising their own, again demonstrating the strength of Mike's values, sense of family, and community.

Mike, his brother, and parents had a vision to revitalize downtown by bringing a much-needed restaurant to the area. In 1996, they created, built, opened, and continue to run the Madison Brewing Company Pub & Restaurant, the most popular spot in Bennington, VT, for craft beer and mouth-watering food. In 2021, despite stacked odds due to COVID-19-related shutdowns, Mike and his family opened The 421 Craft Bar and Kitchen, a venue full of positive symbolism for the local economy, much like Mike embodies himself.

​Mike has deep-rooted ties to the community and the downtown area. Mike has an affinity for Bennington. In addition to Mike’s commitment to the ever-deserving patrons who frequent the restaurants, he is also respectful, outgoing, and business-savvy, and offers a warm welcome to his friends and community wherever he is. He is a valuable asset to any endeavor he is involved with.

Jim Martinez

Jim is currently Market President for Heritage Family Credit Union. Previously, Jim was President of Tri State Area Federal Credit Union for 25 years. Under Jim’s direction, the credit union made the decision (in 1996) to expand into Bennington. By September of 1998, Tri State had completed the construction of a beautiful new office at 85 Washington Avenue (currently Heritage Family Credit Union) in the downtown historic business district, an investment of $1.5 MM to $2.0MM in downtown. Since he came to town, Jim has been an enthusiastic supporter of Sunrise Family Resource Center and believes that the Bennington Theater has the potential to attract people from a 50-mile radius. Most may know Jim from his participation in everything Bennington whether he is at the SVMC Jingle Bell, Rotary Pancake Breakfast, Mayfest, Hiland Hall Soup Stock, the Bennington Skatepark fundraiser or his regular hangout, the Bennington Community Market. He is a big believer in having a local newspaper (Bennington Banner) and was sad when the radio station (WBTN) closed. Jim is proud to be associated with Bennington and all it has to offer. He is also thankful for the Bennington Blotter which played a part in the early success of Tri State Area when they arrived in Bennington.

Jim is excited and looks forward to contributing to such an energetic and vital board in the community.