Staff

Melissa Bounty | Executive Director

Melissa Bounty is the executive director of Central Vermont Economic Development, a nonprofit serving businesses in Washington and Orange County. Melissa draws from two decades of professional experience internationally and locally that help her bring creative solutions to business transformations in Vermont. She lives in Waitsfield with her husband and stepdaughter.

Mercy Sheehan | Client and Community Development Director

Mercy facilitates clients’ business development and enhancement through connections to grant funding and other resources. She also connects and networks within the Central Vermont business and nonprofit community with the goal of strengthening community ties and support agencies. Prior to her work at CVEDC, Mercy had a 16-year career as an AMI trained Montessori educator in Barre, Vermont where she promoted growth and education in generations of youth. She is also a small business owner of O Nha Mae Coquina that produces Fire Cider with locally produced products. Mercy loves to read, garden, and experiment in the kitchen. She lives in Barre with her wife Alida and son Barrett.

Abby Jenne | Executive Assistant

Abby has spent the last seven years as general manager of the world-famous Charlie O’s in Montpelier, VT, where she transformed a notorious biker bar into the Dive for Nice People it is today. Prior to that adventure, Abby ran mentoring programs for the Harwood Community Network and Northfield Community Partnership and Norwich University and while serving as Community Liaison between Woodbury College’s Service-Learning Program and the Northfield Community Partnership. She has studied at The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio and the University of New Hampshire. She enjoys gardening, British History and playing in her band The Bald Eagle Death Spiral. She lives in Berlin with her partner Jason, her two teenage children, and her Newfoundland, Link. She’s very excited to bring her enthusiasm for administrative tasks and her love of all kinds of people to CVEDC.

Board of Directors