Are interns the solution to VT worker shortage?

Posted on September 5, 2019 by David

Vermont now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country (2%). That’s good news, but the bad news is that Vermont employers are struggling to find help. Meanwhile, many college graduates are pondering their future. Internships may unite these employers and employees. A recent study by the Vermont Futures Project suggests that internships are under-utilized. We speak with reps from VBSR’s Vermont Intern Program, Champlain College, employers and interns to learn who is offering paid internships, how issues of equity are being addressed and how employers and employees can turn internships into jobs.

Samantha Sheehan, communications manager, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Vermont Intern Program

Pat Boera, associate director, Career Collaborative, Champlain College

Patrick Dansereau, intern at Vermont Mutual, Champlain College, Class of 2020

Blaise Schroedersecker, intern supervisor, Vermont Mutual

Molly Aldrich, intern at Suncommon, Champlain College, Class of 2020

Molly Bisulca, intern supervisor, Suncommon

Hard questions for good business: Sustainable business leaders on economic justice & impact

Posted on May 17, 2019 by David

How can business be a force for positive change? Three of Vermont’s sustainable business leaders offer their thoughts. (May 15, 2019 broadcast)

Duane Peterson, co-president, Suncommon

Sarah Kaeck, CEO & founder, Bee’s Wrap

Jed Davis, director of sustainability, Cabot Creamery

How does a small state tackle global climate change? Suncommon’s Duane Peterson tells how

Posted on January 23, 2019 by David

How does one of the smallest states tackle one of the world’s most urgent problems? How can Vermont attract young workers? And how does a former cop lead a business that progressive millennial workers flock to? Duane Peterson, co-founder of Suncommon, Vermont’s largest solar business, offers his insights. Peterson is a former LA cop, aide to California State Sen. Tom Hayden, justice department official, and values-led business practitioner. The unifying theme in Peterson’s work has been organizing people to take meaningful action towards positive change. He moved to Vermont in 1996 to work at Ben & Jerry’s as Ben Cohen’s Chief of Stuff, then left to launch SunCommon to make it easy and affordable for homeowners to help repower Vermont with clean, safe, in-state energy. A Certified BCorp, SunCommon has over 100 workers. In September 2015, Duane received VBSR’s Terry Ehrich Award for his commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy, and community. (January 16, 2019 broadcast)

Duane Peterson, co-founder, Suncommon

Where to locate renewable power?

Posted on April 6, 2016 by David

Should communities have more say in where renewable power is located? A group of farmers wrote to the Vermont Legislature this week to defend their ability to locate renewable power on their farms. We talk with a farmer and a solar power provider about some of the challenges in siting renewable power. (April 6, 2016 broadcast)

James Moore, co-founder, Suncommon

Meg Armstrong, sixth generation Essex Junction farm family

Duane Peterson: From LA cop to VT solar guru, with a scoop of Chunky Monkey

Posted on September 18, 2015 by David

Social entrepreneur Duane Peterson is on his 7th career with stints as a medic, LA cop, political campaigner, justice department official, legislative director and values-led business practitioner. The common thread throughout all of these roles has been organizing people to take meaningful action towards positive change. Duane moved to Vermont in 1996 to help Ben use Ben & Jerry’s as a force for social change. After 12 years there as Ben’s Chief of Stuff, Duane left to launch his latest venture — SunCommon — to make it easy and affordable for homeowners to help repower Vermont with clean, safe, in-state energy. A Benefit Corporation and a Certified BCorp, SunCommon is Vermont’s largest solar business with almost 100 workers. In September 2015, Duane received VBSR’s Terry Ehrich Award for his commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy, and community.

Duane Peterson, co-founder, Suncommon

Vermont’s clean energy economy, 6-25-14

Posted on June 25, 2014 by David

Gov. Peter Shumlin released a report this week showing that Vermont’s clean energy industry now employs over 15,000 workers at some 2,600 locations and comprises about 4% of the state’s workforce. We discuss the state of and prospects for Vermont’s clean energy industry with Gabrielle Stebbins, executive director of Renewable Energy Vermont, Duane Peterson, founder of Suncommon (residential solar); Karl Bissex of Clean Edge Energy (biomass/wood heating); and George Twill of Efficiency Vermont (efficiency).

Guerrilla marketing, 7-17-2013

Posted on July 17, 2013 by David

Alternative marketing gurus Duane Peterson of SunCommon and Chris Miller of Ben & Jerry’s talk about the value of values in business and guerrilla marketing that works.

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