Chris Maggiolo
38 | Deputy Executive Director, Black River Innovation Campus
Residence: Windsor
Career highlight: The career highlight I’m most proud of is the development of BRIC’s Actuator program into an entrepreneurship program that spans communities and geographies throughout Vermont.
Community involvement: My community involvement includes mentoring entrepreneurs through BRIC programming, supporting farmers developing new programming in Windsor County, and engaging communities and businesses as a Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships advisory member.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont: Distilled spirits motivated me to live in Vermont (I moved here for a distilling job in 2015). Wanting to raise my family here has motivated me to stay.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is working to connect individuals and organizations throughout Vermont in the spirit of innovation – to solve old problems using new solutions.
Most inspiring mentor: My most inspiring mentor is the late Bob Rivers, a friend of BRIC who became a dear friend of mine. Bob always put people first, wanting to understand who they were and what moved them to action. He often began our conversations with, “I have an idea…”
Community involvement: “Your network is your net worth”
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that prior to my work at BRIC, I received my masters in gastronomy and studied craft beer and spirits. I love developing themed cocktails.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? Few people know that I sang in an a cappella group in college.
What three words best describe you: Creative, adaptable, open.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is the Inn at Long Trail
Favorite Vermont season: My favorite Vermont season is stick season.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is playing board games.
Favorite social media: My favorite social media is Instagram, as I prefer the visual-forward medium.
Favorite smell: My favorite smell is cedar.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I’d most like to share a Vermont beverage with is my father.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The causes I would support are 1) access to STEAM education and career pathways; 2) farmer education and outcomes; and 3) reef recovery
What one song is on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend: Thank You, from Moana.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years: In the next 5-10 years I’d like to be more engaged in statewide economic development efforts.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years: The career goals I’d like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years include serving as the executive director of a statewide economic development organization, or leading an inquiry-based innovation foundation built on philanthropic support.
What’s the ideal next move for you in your career: Develop a robust consultancy business, or moving into an executive leadership role
Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: Don’t be afraid to try something new. Change often takes an iterative approach, and the first domino has to fall sometime.