Our Advocacy Team
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Betsy Bishop Betsy Bishop leads the lobbying team focusing on health care, tax and economic development policy. She has advocated for Vermont Chamber members in the State House for 10 years, initially as the Vice President of Government affairs in the 90's and now as President. Previously, Bishop served in the Douglas Administration for seven years, leading the Governor's policy and legislative team as Deputy Chief of Staff and then as Commissioner of Economic Development. She also served on Governor Douglas' 2002 transition team. Prior to that work, Bishop launched her own public affairs company which provided federal grassroots support and advocated for businesses in the state legislative and regulatory arenas. Bishop grew up in Vermont, graduated from Marietta College in Ohio, and worked at the Sichuan Institute of Finance and Economics in China. 802-223-3443 or email:bbishop@vtchamber.com.


team-vicky Vicky Tebbetts heads up the Vermont Chamber’s tourism division. She represents Vermont’s hospitality industry at the State House, and advocates on behalf of our members on a federal level through the Vermont Chamber's partnerships with the National Restaurant Association and American Hotel and Lodging Association. Tebbetts also holds a seat on the Travel Recreation Council, the governor-appointed body that oversees the activities of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing. She is also the President of the Vermont Attractions Association, Chair of the Vermont Byways Council, and Chair of the Vermont Travel Industry Conference Board of Directors. Having held various positions at the Vermont Chamber over the past 11 years, Vicky is a licensed attorney with a JD and a Masters from Vermont Law School. 802-229-2259 or email: vtebbetts@vtchamber.com.


team-chris2 Chris Carrigan works with businesses throughout the state as the Vermont Chamber's Vice President of Business Development. In that capacity he not only leads the membership team and delivers benefits, but also advocates for legislation that promotes growth and job creation in the manufacturing industries with a focus on aviation. Carrigan also manages the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) and works with the Vermont Environmental Consortium (VEC), serving on its Board of Directors. Prior to his work with the Vermont Chamber, Carrigan spent 14 years working in Boston in marketing and technology. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont, Radcliffe College/Harvard University and Suffolk University. 802-223-0904 or email ccarrigan@vtchamber.com


[image] Jessica Gingras is the newest addition to the Chamber’s lobbying team, and has been on board since February 2011. Studying state and local politics at Potsdam University, Gingras finished school and began working on grassroots organization and advocacy during the 2010 Vermont election cycle for numerous candidates. Gingras heads the Chamber’s Legislative Action Network, and is in charge of organizing and setting the legislative agenda for the Government Affairs Committee. Before working for the Chamber, Gingras interned at the State House during the legislative session, helping House leadership fundraise, plan events and recruit new candidates. With a focus and passion for grass roots outreach and advocacy, Gingras lobbies on behalf of the businesses community on several different issues including telecommunications, tax reform and workers’ compensation. 802-262-2130 or email jgingras@vtchamber.com


team-michael Michael Zahner has 28 years of experience in the administration of Act 250, serving half his tenure as the Vermont Natural Resources Board's Executive Director. As the Board's primary liaison with the Vermont Legislature, he played a major role in the adoption of important legislation including the Permit Reform Act of 2004 (Act 115) and the Growth Center Act of 2006 (Act 183). He was primarily responsible for a comprehensive revision to Criterion 9(B) which now formally authorizes the use of "offsite mitigation" for the loss of primary agricultural soils. Michael has served as Chair of Marshfield's Planning Commission, the Twinfield Union School Board and he is currently Chair of Marshfield's Conservation Commission. Michael has a degree in Economics from St. Louis University and completed graduate coursework at the University of Vermont in Natural Resource Economics and Land Use Planning. On behalf of the Vermont Chamber, he brings strong communication and advocacy skills to the Vermont State House. 802-454-7851 or email mzahner@vtchamber.com