Governance

Vermont Federal is a full service, not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution that has been serving Vermonters for over 70 years. Founded in 1953, the Credit Union now operates under a community charter opening the possibility of membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the state of Vermont, as well as any of their family members. We are committed to helping Vermonters prosper, no matter where they may be on life’s journey.

People Listening at a Meeting

Thank You For An Incredible 71st Annual Meeting

We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in this year's Annual Meeting. For a recap of the year, we encourage you to delve into the 2023 Interactive Annual Report by clicking the button below.

We look forward to seeing you next year!


2023 Digital Annual Report  

Annual Report 2023 Cover-1

Jean Giard – CEO

Jean Giard is the President & CEO of Vermont Federal Credit Union, a $900 million financial institution serving over 50,000 members throughout Vermont. Jean joined the Vermont Federal team in April 2006 as the Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Senior Management team. In February of 2017, Jean was appointed by the Board of Directors as President & CEO, after having served as Interim CEO for a year.

During her 18 years with Vermont Federal Credit Union, Jean helped the Credit Union to grow from a $160 million financial institution to its current asset size of over $900 million. Previous to her employment at Vermont Federal Credit Union, Jean was a CPA and Audit Partner at R.F. Lavigne & Company.  Jean is a Vermont native and earned her B.A. from the University of Vermont. She has an extensive background in finance and business.

Jean is a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Vermont Credit Unions; a member of the Board of Directors for Tricorp Federal Credit Union in Portland, Maine; and serves on the national Board of Trustees for America’s Credit Unions PAC, representing Vermont. She also serves as Board Treasurer for the Converse Home, a local nonprofit.

 

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Jean Giard
Megan Manahan Bliss - Board Chair

Megan Manahan Bliss – Chair

Megan is an attorney and the managing shareholder in Cahill, Gawne, Miller & Manahan, P.C., the law firm where she started her career. Megan received her B.S. in Business from the University of Vermont in 1999 and her Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 2003. While at Suffolk she completed a year as a visiting student at the University of Montana School of Law. Megan has been a Director since 2015 and has served as Board Chair for the past 4 years. Megan resides in St. Albans, VT with her husband.

Will Voigt – Vice Chair

Will Voigt is the Senior Accountant at D.W. Voigt CPA P.C., a tax and consulting firm located in South Burlington. Will began his career with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) working in budget and finance and was the special assistant to the Chief Financial Officer of USCIS before leaving to work in the family owned business of D.W. Voigt CPA P.C. The opportunity to work with family and own his own business in the great state of Vermont was too good to pass up.

WILL VOIGT – TREASURER heatshot
JOSEPH FINNIGAN – CHAIR headshot

Joseph Finnigan – Treasurer

Joseph was elected to the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of Vermont Federal Credit Union in 1978. He served as President/CEO for more than 30 years, retiring in March 2009. He served on the Board of Directors of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) as a National Director from 1991 to 1996. Joseph received recognition and was nominated for the Director of the Year Award for the Credit Union Executive Society’s Educational Forum in 1999. In 2005, he was inducted into the Credit Union Executives Society’s Hall of Fame. He served on many state, regional & national credit union Boards which include the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) and American Credit Union Museum. Joseph spent several years serving on the Board of Directors of TriCorp Federal Credit Union and the New England Credit Union Heritage Foundation. Most recently, he worked with the World Council of Credit Unions and made several trips to Kenya to develop financial literacy and promote credit union values. He also served on many Vermont community boards & non-profits.

Ethan Hutchins – Secretary

Ethan is a University of Vermont alumnus who grew up in Barre, Vermont. He started his career in 2008 in the software development industry and is currently employed at Polly as a Lead Software Engineer. Ethan actively participates in the entire software development lifecycle and finds the problem solving aspects of the role extremely rewarding, yet challenging. Ethan played for the University of Vermont's Men's Soccer team and is currently on their Hall of Fame committee.

ETHAN HUTCHINS – DIRECTOR headshot
Neal Robinson

Neal Robinson

Neal Robinson retired from Saint Michael's College in June of 2017 where he had served as vice president of finance for fifteen years.  Prior to his service at Saint Michael's, Neal enjoyed an extensive twenty-year career in banking, having been the assistant controller of the Tompkins County Trust Company in Ithaca, NY, vice president and chief financial officer of First Vermont Bank in Brattleboro, VT, and senior vice president and treasurer of Banknorth Group in Burlington, VT. Neal also served as vice president and chief financial officer of VELCO in Rutland, VT. Neal has served as a board member of the Cancer Patient Support Foundation and a trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.  His volunteer activities also include having been treasurer of St. James Episcopal Church in Essex Junction as well as currently serving on the board of the Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency.

Paul Politano – Director

Paul Politano works at Middlebury College's Ralph Myhre Golf Course as their Director of Golf and Head Professional. Paul is also an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s college golf teams. As an active member of the golf community for about 30 years, he has been nominated for several awards and was selected as the 2009 Vermont PGA Professional of the Year. Paul also served on the Vermont PGA Board of Directors from 1998 - 2009, and was President for 3 years. Paul has been a Director since 2018 and resides in Brandon, VT with his wife and their four children. 

PAUL POLITANO – DIRECTOR headshot
Emily Bryne

Emily Byrne - Director

Emily is the Deputy Fiscal Officer for the Joint Fiscal Office of the Vermont General Assembly. She moved to Vermont in 2012 after graduate school to work for State Government, serving in various financial roles across the executive branch before joining the Legislative staff in 2022. Emily received an MPA from Syracuse University, an MS the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a BA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Emily has been a director since 2021 and lives in Montpelier, VT with her family.

Bylaws

Vermont Federal operates in accordance with our approved bylaws. Any questions about these bylaws should be directed to the Board of Directors.

Read Bylaws