2024 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Thomas A. Dee
President and CEO, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Each year, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce honors an outstanding Vermonter as the “Citizen of the Year.” This award is presented to the individual who has made major contributions to the betterment of Vermont; has been distinguished through outstanding service to their community and region; and typifies the true spirit of service and self-sacrifice in representing the finest ideals of Vermont citizenship.
In his 14-year tenure, Tom Dee’s dedication to the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and southwestern Vermont has been pivotal to improving the local economy, and raising the bar for what it means to be a community leader. The Vermont Chamber is proud to award this recognition to Tom Dee and looks forward to bringing Vermonters together to celebrate in Bennington.
Thomas A. Dee is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) in Bennington, VT. Dee has over 33 years of experience as a hospital CEO. Under Dee’s management, the integrated health system has attained twelve consecutive years of positive operating performance and has been recognized with numerous state and national awards for quality of care, community leadership and workplace excellence.
He was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 110 rural hospital and health system CEOs to know for 2024. This was Dee’s fifth time receiving this national recognition. Dee led in the planning and implementation of the affiliation of SVMC with Dartmouth Health, commencing in 2012 with the formation of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Group Practice – a 150 member multi-specialty provider group. In 2023, SVMC became an institutional member of Dartmouth Health.
Before SVMC, Dee worked for Health Alliance in Kingston, NY, an integrated health system of three hospitals. He was president and Chief Executive Officer of the 222-bed Benedictine Hospital for more than 17 years. Dee has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a master’s in Healthcare Administration, both from Xavier University in Ohio.
AWARD FAQ
This award is presented to the individual who:
- Has made major contributions to the betterment of Vermont;
- Has a distinguished record of service to their community or our state; and
- Embodies the spirit of Vermont through collaboration and a commitment to the common good.
The 2024 nomination period has closed. We look forward to receiving your submission for the 2025 award.
2023 – The Leahy Celebration
2022 – Cancelled due to COVID
2021 – Cancelled due to COVID
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID
2019 – Al Gobeille, Gobeille Hospitality Group, Burlington
2018 – Leo O’Brien Jr. and Daniel J. O’Brien, O’Brien Brothers, South Burlington
2017 – Richard W. Schneider, RADM (USCGR) RET., President, Norwich University, Northfield
2016 – William Stritzler, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Jeffersonville
2015 – Janette Bombardier, IBM/GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Essex Junction
2014 – Stephen C. Terry, Vermont Citizen, Middlebury
2013 – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, United States Senate, Middlesex
2012 – Antonio Pomerleau, Pomerleau Real Estate, Burlington
2011 – Bill Stenger, Jay Peak Resort, Jay
2010 – Governor James H. Douglas, Governor of Vermont, Middlebury
2009 – Ed Colodny, University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington
2008 – Robert Miller, REM Development Corp.
2007 – Kenley D. Squier, RadioVermont, Waterbury
2006 – R. Allan Paul, Co-Founder, Paul Frank + Collins, P.C., Burlington
2005 – U.S. Senator James M. Jeffords, United States Senate, Shrewsbury
2004 – Stephan A. Morse, CEO, Windham Foundation, Grafton
2003 – David R. Coates, EVP & CFO, New England Culinary Institute, Colchester
2002 – The Honorable Barbara W. Snelling, Shelburne
2001 – Diane P. Mueller, Co-Owner and Executive Vice President, Okemo Mountain Resort, Ludlow
2000 – Francis G.W. Voigt, President & CEO, New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier
1999 – Graham Newell, Latin Instructor, St. Johnsbury Academy
1998 – Robert G. Clarke, President, Vermont Technical College, Randolph
1997 – John T. Ewing, Chair, Vermont State Environmental Board
1996 – Thomas P. Salmon, President of UVM, former Governor of Vermont, Bellows Falls
1995 – Luther “Fred” Hackett, President Hackett Valine & MacDonald, South Burlington
1994 – Martha H. O’Connor, Chair of the State Board of Education, Brattleboro
1993 – Arthur Gibb, Member, State Environmental Board and Former Legislator, Middlebury
1992 – Frederic H. Bertrand, Chairman of the Board & CEO, National Life of Vermont, Montpelier
1991 – Governor Richard A. Snelling, Governor of Vermont, Shelburne
1990 – State Senator Robert T. Gannett, Vermont State Senate, Brattleboro
1989 – U.S. Senator Robert T. Stafford, United States Senate, Rutland
1988 – Henry M. Carris, Carris Reels, Rutland
1987 – Maynard McLaughlin, President Bread Loaf Construction, Middlebury
1986 – Robert W. Mitchell, Publisher, Rutland Daily Herald, Rutland
1985 – Sister Elizabeth Candon, former Secretary of Human Services & President of Trinity College, Burlington
1984 – Louise Swainbank, Former Member Vermont House of Representatives, St. Johnsbury
1983 – Judge Sterry R. Waterman, U.S. District Court, St. Johnsbury
1982 – Hilton A. Wick, President, Chittenden Trust Company, Burlington
1981 – Robert E. Boardman, Treasurer, Hickok & Boardman, Burlington
1980 – Ralph Nading Hill, Senior Editor, Vermont Life Magazine
1979 – J. Wayne Corbeil, General Manager, Raymond S. Roberts Inc.
1978 – Perry Merrill, Commissioner, Vermont Dept. Forest & Parks, Montpelier
1977 William M. Lockwood, Chairman of the Board, Howard Bank, Burlington
1976 – Sheldon Dimick, President, Randolph National Bank, Randolph
1975 – State Senator Keith Wallace, Vermont Senate & President Vermont Farm Bureau, Waterbury
1974 – Madelyn Davidson, Commissioner, Vermont Dept. Employment Security, Montpelier
1973 – Elmer L. Premo, Owner, Redwood Master Hosts Motel, Burlington
1972 – Governor Deane C. Davis, Governor of Vermont, Montpelier
1971 – Bishop Robert F. Joyce, Bishop of Burlington Diocese, Burlington
1970 – Maurice Kelley, Kelley Construction Co., Barre
1969 – C. Douglas Cairns, President, Champlain Oil Co., Burlington
1968 – W. Arthur Simpson, Former Member Vermont House of Representatives, Lyndonville
1967 Elbert G. Moulton, Commissioner, Vermont Development Department, Montpelier
1966 – U.S. Senator George D. Aiken, United States Senate, Putney
1965 – Sepp Ruschp, President, Mt. Mansfield Corp., Stowe
1964 – Albert A. Cree, Chairman & CEO, Central Vermont Public Service Corp., Rutland
NEWS
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the event, please email Ellie Schabel, Director of Events and Business Education.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
WHEN?
Thursday, August 1, 2024
WHERE?
Everett Mansion at Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
WHAT TIME?
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
MEDIA SPONSORS
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities email Doug Corman, Business Development Manager.
