Columbia County Bounty Hires an Executive Director
For immediate release
Contact: Vicki Simons 392-9696
Bounty taps Simons as first Exec Director
CHATHAM-Columbia County Bounty has gone the next step in its own growth, hiring its first part-time executive director, Vicki Simons. Bounty creates connections between local farmers and local culinary businesses as well as reaching out to consumers who want to eat food locally grown.
Bounty runs a series of events, from the upcoming May 11th Farm Tour to its popular Taste of Columbia County Bounty dinner August 3rd, a Garden of Eating Tour in mid-September, the Chili Cook-Off & Riverfront Fest October 10th, a Chef Tour in November and its extremely well-attended Speed Networking in January. The events are detailed at www.columbiacountybounty.com and are open to everyone. Bounty membership ($25 per person, $40 per couple) is required.
Simons has been part of Bounty almost since its inception three years ago, working with co-founders Lori Selden of Mexican Radio and Chef David Robinson of Bezalel Gables Fine Catering & Events, along with partners from the Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp. (HVADC), Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Columbia Land Conservancy.
To get the program off the ground, Simons did the original data collection, surveying every farm, farmer’s market, restaurant and caterer in the county, collecting contact and product information to create the Bounty infrastructure. Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation supported that initial work. Last fall, Bounty left its parent organizations and set up a separate corporate entity and applied for 501C-3 status, but the organization isstill guided by those early partners.
Serving with Pres. Selden on the Executive Committee is Chamber President David Colby, HVADC Executive Director Todd Erling, and Tom Crowell, Director of Outreach and Resource Development for the Columbia Land Conservancy.
Simons resigned from the Executive Committee, where she had served as secretary/treasurer. Filling her seat now is Dominique DeVito of Hudson-Chatham Winery. Serving on the Bounty Board of Directors are Steve Hadcock of Cooperative Extension, Betsy Braley of Braeburn Farms, Chuck Abraham of Old Saw Mill Farm, and Liz Beals of Beth’s Farm Kitchen.
Simons brings to the new post a background well-versed in the local community. Along with her husband, Tony Jones, Simons owned and was editor of The Independent newspaper from 1986 to 2001, as well as the Paper. Simons and Jones still provide editorial services for local businesses and county agencies. She is vice president of the Columbia County Agricultural Society, the group that puts on the annual County Fair and hosts dozens of other events at the fairgrounds.
Simons also has experience with non-profits, not only as a board member of the Ag Society but also a long-time board member and former president of the New York Press Association, a board member of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and a former committee member of the local United Way as well as last year’s Habitat for Humanity Women Build.
“Vicki has always been an integral part of Bounty’s success and we are absolutely thrilled that she has decided to take this position,” said Selden.
“I am really excited to help guide the growth of Bounty,” added Simons. “It marries several of my interests - supporting local farming, eating healthy fresh foods, strengthening the connections between the two, and sharing that passion with others.”
Columbia County Bounty is also the model for several other county chapters. Coordinated by HVADC’s Todd Erling, Simons worked on the infrastructure for what is now Dutchess County Bounty, with Orange and Ulster counties close behind. Eventually, the expectation is a linked Hudson Valley Bounty, with Columbia leading the way.
To learn more about Bounty, its events and the opportunities to support Bounty’s work through its corporate sponsorship program, go to www.columbiacountybounty.com, e-mail ccbounty@gmail.com, or call Simons at 518-392-9696.