NOW Board of Directors

JB Weir
(he/him/his)
President
JB lives in Waitsfield, Vermont with his wife and two daughters. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2001, JB moved to Vermont and has never left. A life-long competitive tennis player, JB became a USPTA certified tennis instructor and taught at various facilities across Chittenden County. In 2003, JB enrolled at Vermont Law School, receiving his juris doctor in 2006. Subsequent to law school, JB worked in the insurance and medical malpractice field until moving to the Mad River Valley in 2008. JB currently works for the Town of Waitsfield as Planning & Zoning Administrator. He also serves on the Waitsfield Development Review Board.

John Donaldson
(he/him/his)
Treasurer
John and his wife Dana first visited the Mad River Valley to ski at Sugarbush in 1973. After decades of moving around the country they moved to the Valley in 2001 following John's retirement after 33 years as a corporate attorney for IBM. Since that time he has been active in community and non-profit organizations.
John was on the Warren Planning Commission and currently serves on the Waitsfield Development Review Board. He has been treasurer of a number of non-profits in Vermont. John currently is a substitute teacher at Harwood, and drives for Meals on Wheels and Freewheelin'.

Robert Ciappenelli
(he/him/his)
Vice President
Rob was first introduced to the Mad River Valley in 1978. Visiting the valley from the Boston area to ski, bike, and hike for over 40 years. He remains active in both the life sciences industry fostering new companies focused on developing therapies for rare diseases while also working with local groups/non-profits to support sustainable businesses. Rob lives in Warren with his wife Liz and their dog

David Green-Leibovitz
(he/him/his)

Betsy Jondro (she/her/hers)
Secretary
Betsy has an extensive professional background in business management and strategic planning in the retail industry. Her passion to ensure the sustainability of the Valley has focused her volunteer efforts on Neck of the Woods. Ensuring that young families residing here or interested in moving to the Valley have adequate, high-quality childcare is critical to the future of the Valley and the surrounding towns. She is the head of the Grant and Fundraising Committee plus a member of the Executive Committee. Betsy has lived full time in Fayston since 2006. She started visiting the Valley in the late 50’s when her parents started skiing at Mad River Glen, then building a house on the mountain in 1964.
David believes deeply in creating an environment where children and families are nurtured in all areas of their being. A place where there is a realization that in order for all people to truly learn and engage at their deepest levels they need to feel safe, welcomed and unafraid to fail and learn from their mistakes as well as engage in sometimes difficult and uncomfortable conversations. David also believes that NOW is a place that grows and embraces the ideas of empathy, collaboration, community, giving and joy. A place where there is a continuous flow of ideas and conversations that become integrated into the community.Some of the things David loves are family, friends, being a librarian, being a firefighter, music, photography, libraries, both Star Trek and Star Wars, SCUBA diving, (Marvel and DC, but Marvel a bit more), laughing, games, trees, furry animal family and potato chips (to name just a few).
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Linda Levin
(she/her/hers)
Linda has been coming to the Valley from Lexington, MA, since 2001 first to ski with her husband and their 4 kids. Linda taught fourth grade in Concord, MA, for 15 years. Now that she is a resident of Fayston, Linda is committed to giving back to this wonderful Valley. Linda has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance - not sure how that EVER happened - as well as a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. When her children were young, she volunteered at her children’s pre-school, their elementary school and eventually became a PTO leader. When she is not volunteering her time, you can find Linda on the tennis courts in summer, the ski slopes in winter and hiking with her dog and husband in between.

Ally Shea
(she/her/hers)

Douglas Reid (he/him/his)
Skier, technologist, family man, and devoted father of one amazing daughter. Doug and his wife Michele, plus their dog, Pip, live in Warren. His professional career in the software industry takes him all over the world, but he prefers his barn office in the view of the Mad River Valley. Early on, Doug’s family immersed him in nature and outdoor activities. He learned to ski in the Berkshires on hand-me-down equipment with double socks and packed newspaper to make the boots fit. He raced slalom and giant slalom on the high school ski team and supported his daughter in doing the same through college. He is a strong believer in neighborly kindness, and compassion, believing that giving through service builds connections to the community. His experiences with Neck of the Woods deepen his appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life in the MRV; one program at a time.
Ally Shea grew up in Waterbury and still lives there. She loves being involved in this amazing program that provides such incredible programming for children. She teaches PE and health at the Moretown and Waitsfield elementary schools, and in her free time she enjoys skiing, hiking with my dog, and spending time with friends and family.
Minutes from the Neck Of the Woods Board Meetings are available by request of the Board President.