Vermont Business Magazine honored the Rising Stars, Class of 2014, at a special reception and dinner, Thursday evening, November 6, 2014. The ceremony took place at the DoubleTree Hotel on Williston Road, South Burlington. The awards were presented to 40 individuals for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and involvement in their communities. Governor Peter Shumlin welcomed the winners with a few words at the opening reception. Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott was on hand to congratulate all the winners as he handed them their plaques.

Of the 40 honorees, there were 17 men and 23 women. There are 21 from Chittenden County, 7 from Washington County, 3 from Franklin County, 2 from Windsor County, 2 from Windham County, 1 from Rutland County, 1 from Bennington County, 1 from Addison County, 1 from Orleans County and 1 from Caledonia County. The largest county increase was Chittenden County, up 3 from 2013. The average age of the winners is 33 years old. The oldest is 39 and the youngest is 23 years old.

The judging was done by an independent panel of judges, Governor Jim Douglas; Anson Tebbetts, News Director, WCAX; Margi Swett, President, Vermont Trophy and Engraving; Linda Rossi, State Director, VtSBDC; Joe Doud, Assistant General Manager, Vermont Lake Monsters; Kristin Carlson, Director of Media, Green Mountain Power; Kathleen Murphy-Moriarty, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications; Norwich University.