Central Vermont's economic development organization is changing leadership as it prepares to advance regional initiatives involving business growth, infrastructure, housing and community development. The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation has selected Richard Amore as its next executive director, with the appointment scheduled to take effect in September.
Amore has more than two decades of experience working in community and economic development. His professional background includes business support, downtown and village revitalization, housing, infrastructure, land use planning, real estate development and community planning.
He previously held leadership positions with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development and USDA Rural Development. At the state housing agency, he served as manager of placemaking and community partnerships. He also served on the USDA Rural Development state director's leadership team.
More recently, Amore was programs director at Local Motion, where he worked on initiatives involving active transportation, outdoor recreation and quality-of-life improvements across Vermont.
Amore also teaches urban and rural planning part time at the University of Vermont. His academic background includes master's degrees in community planning and landscape architecture, along with a bachelor's degree in environmental design from Auburn University.
Amore will succeed Fred Kenney, who served as interim executive director during a transition period. Kenney worked with the CVEDC board on internal and fiscal systems and helped develop a strategic plan intended to support the organization's long-term operations.
Amore is scheduled to begin Sept. 8 and will work with Kenney for several weeks to support the leadership transition.
CVEDC has operated in Central Vermont for 50 years and works with businesses, municipalities, workforce organizations and community partners on economic development initiatives. Its activities include connecting organizations with resources, developing partnerships and supporting business and workforce growth.
Economic development organizations can influence the conditions surrounding construction, housing, infrastructure and commercial investment. Amore's experience across planning, infrastructure, housing and real estate development positions CVEDC to continue coordinating with public and private stakeholders as Central Vermont works on regional economic initiatives.
Source: Vermont BIZ.
