Women dominate in 2015 Vermont Small Business awards

MONTPELIER

The president and CEO of Vermont Precision Tools has been named 2015 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year.  The announcement was made on Monday.

Monica Greene, center, offers a tour of Vermont Precision Tools to Seth Goodall, Small Business Administration New England administrator, left, and Darcy Carter, SBA Vermont District director, in August. Photo by Danny Monahan/SBA.

Monica Greene is being recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration for VPT’s employment growth, financial success, company expansion and community involvement.

“VPT is flattered to be recognized as the Vermont Small Business Person of the Year,” said Greene. “VPT prides itself on providing the highest quality products and the collective desire to see the company succeed is evident in every team member at every level.”

Headquartered in Swanton, VPT manufactures detailed specific tools, including rods and gauges, used in the automotive, medical and aeronautic industries. VPT started in 1968 with a Small Business Administration loan in an old warehouse and a few employees. Today ,the company occupies a 90,000-square-foot facility and, with 300 employees, is one of the largest employers in the state.

“We’re very excited about VPT being the 2015 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year. Here is a powerful woman-owned manufacturing company with more than 300 employees, the majority of which are located in the heart of pastoral Vermont. The best part is they are still growing. VPT is expanding its operations into the Northeast Kingdom. Monica is a great leader and her company is a great representation of the state,” said Darcy Carter, SBA Vermont District office director.

Greene and VPT are to be presented the award during the 2015 Vermont Small Business Awards Ceremony cohosted by Vermont Business Magazine from 4 to 7 p.m. June 11 at the Shelburne Museum Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education located in Shelburne.

The other 2015 Vermont winners are Gordon’s Window Decor of Williston as the Family-Owned Business of the Year; Auto Craftsmen of Montpelier as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year;  O.W.L. Food of Brattleboro as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Brattleboro’s Artisan Web and Print of Vermont as the Micro-Enterprise of the Year; and Green Mountain Avionics of Middlebury as the Veteran-Owned Business of the Year.

“With the exception of Green Mountain Avionics, each company receiving a small business award is operated by a woman. Woman-owned and operated businesses are a major contributor to Vermont’s economy. I couldn’t be happier to have the privilege of recognizing them for their achievements,” said Carter.

The ceremony is open to the public and registration will be available in May.

VPT goes on to compete for the 2015 National Small Business Person of the Year. It will be announced during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 8.