To celebrate the recent opening of our new Shelburne Village location, we’ve gathered input and ideas from the wonderful community of people who work and live in Shelburne, Vermont.
To start with an introduction to Dave Micklas, assistant. Vice President, Branch Manager and Business Development:
“After more than 27 years in banking, it’s nice to finally work for a Vermont-based bank. I reside in Shelburne and have lived here with my wife, Dorothy, for 23 years. We have two golden retrievers (who we consider our children), named Daisy and Shea. My wife also works in Shelburne, managing The Terraces, a retirement community.
As a member of the Shelburne Rotary Club, community service has always been important to me. I especially enjoy our neighborhood. Like many communities in Shelburne, we are friendly, caring and all look out for one another.
Local organizations I would like to highlight are Shelburne Food Shelf and Shelburne Rescue. I would encourage people to join Rotary and connect with people who helped build and serve our country and community.”
Shawn Sweeney of Sweeney Designbuild
“Sweeney Designbuild is a full-service design-build firm focusing on sustainable residential home renovations and custom construction. We are located in a historic structure that was built in the 1800s by Benjamin Harrington, directly across from the new Union Bank branch.
We started the business in 2006 here in Shelburne and moved to our current location in 2014. Before we moved, we undertook a major upgrade to our office space, converting what was once a chicken coop into our headquarters. Personally, I grew up in Montpelier and one of my fondest memories as a child was eating rock candy at the Shelburne Museum in the late 1970s.
Shelburne is a unique community. Both of my sons went to Shelburne Community School and both graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School. We have been fortunate to have a thriving volunteer fire department, a large police force, strong municipal leadership and a variety of community boards that have led Shelburne on a well thought out path towards an exciting and sustainable future.
SCHIPPS, our local Community Food Shelf, all of our houses of worship, and the Champlain Housing Trust have all been critical contributors to a well-balanced community.”
Kenneth Albert of Shelburne Vineyard
“Together with our partners and wonderful staff, at Shelburne Vineyard we are growing 20 acres of hardy, cool grapes at our three sites located in Shelburne (our home site) as well as our Charlotte and Middlebury area sites. All wine making takes place at our Shelburne Winery on Route 7, right across from Fiddlehead Brewery and Folino Pizza.
We have been in Shelburne for 50 years. The recognition of how special this place is got both Gail and I involved in Shelburne, serving on many town committees. The love of growing things led them to plant vines. Our first commercial planting was in 1998 on 3 acres we leased from Shelburne Farms. What we learned there encouraged us to purchase our own land and we opened our Rt 7 winery in 2008.
We have made lifelong friends here in Shelburne and are still involved in the town’s activities. Shelburne greeted us. It’s a great place with a classic town center and spectacular scenery, from the lake shore to the rolling open land to the east.
I encourage involvement and volunteering with our city government and some of the service organizations. It is the key to maintaining the character of our town and making the town more welcoming to newcomers. It provides a connection with the neighbors, a feeling of belonging to a wonderful place, and leads to a sense of accomplishment.”
esteban kendall
Executive Vice President – Senior Residential and Consumer Loan Officer NMLS: 627431
union bank
Working from our Williston Loan Center, Stephen oversees the bank’s consumer and residential lending functions. He chairs the Shelburne Town Planning Commission, is a member of the Lyric Theater Board of Directors and is a member of St. Catherine’s Parish in Shelburne.
“My wife, Kelly, and I have lived in Shelburne for 12 years. I grew up in Shelburne and we live in the house I grew up in! I was part of Shelburne’s first kindergarten class, spent my entire elementary education at Shelburne, and graduated from CVU.
What I like best about Shelburne is all it has to offer: great people who love their city; great schools; public access to the lake; Shelburne Farms; Shelburne Museum; great nature trails; the quintessential VT town with parkland, great shops, restaurants, and library; and its proximity to downtown Burlington and the amenities and services that the Burlington metropolitan area has to offer.
I would recommend people who are in a position to give back with time, treasure, or talent to do so! Especially in the areas they are passionate about, whether it is Shelburne Rescue, Shelburne Fire, Pierson Library, Shelburne Food Shelf, service organizations or city government. Involve!”
stay local. Go far!
As a community bank, we are loyal to the people and businesses we serve throughout the great state of Vermont. We invite you to meet our Shelburne Village team and learn more about the convenient banking services you can find at Union Bank. We look forward to being a part of your community!
