On Friday, September 26, 2025, the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business had the honor of hosting the inaugural event in the Leadership and Legacy Series, an evolution of the Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards (VLFEA). Established in 2012, the event had previously sought to award First Generation, Multi-Generation, and Legacy enterprises on local and international scales, but this year honorees were invited to instead join a panel that focused on a chosen topic: Celebrating Longevity. 

The panel consisted of guests from luxury tour company Tauck (celebrating 100 years), von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort (celebrating 75 years), and Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (celebrating 50 years), and was hosted by the founder of the event, University Distinguished Professor and the Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business, Dr. Dita Sharma. The new format of the event focused on creating engaging conversation, and allowed audience members the opportunity to direct questions at the panelists about the trials and tribulations of starting and nourishing family enterprises. Those attending spoke positively about the shift from award ceremony to panel discussion, making this year's event a successs.

Connecting Students and Business Leaders

Prior to the ceremony, Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) students had the opportunity to share lunch and network with the attendees, which also included business leaders that had been honored by the VLFEA in the past. Lawson’s Finest Liquids co-owner Karen Lawson talked with students about its business model and how Lawson’s will continue in the next generation of their family business. Lawson also shared about the company’s Social Impact Program, creating community giving initiatives, environmental initiatives, and employee-first workplace efforts. Students were also able to speak one-on-one with this year’s family business honorees. 

Following the networking luncheon, SI-MBA students, as well as undergraduate Grossman School students, and faculty had the opportunity to learn more about the businesses earning recognition this year in a brief ceremony followed by an engaging panel discussion. A brief question-and-answer session followed, guided by Dr. Sharma, where anecdotes about the creations of these businesses were shared, family leadership dynamics across generations were explored, and the panelists’ own UVM experiences were reflected upon. 

Celebrating Longevity

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. is honored for their 50 year anniversary.

von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort is honored for their 75 year anniversary.

Tauck is honored for their 100 year anniversary.

Each family was honored with a plaque showcasing their dedication to longevity within their field. Casella Waste Systems, based in Rutland, Vt., celebrated 50 years of Sustainable Innovation. Casella has helped change the way waste solutions are used while also holding a commitment to environmental stewardship. Von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort, based in Stowe, Vt., was honored for 75 Years of Austrian Hospitality. Allowing guests to experience a piece of Austria in the Green Mountains. Tauck, based in Wilton, Conn., was honored for 100 years of World Class Adventure tours. Tauck has redefined exploring through innovation, allowing its customers to experience unforgettable journeys and creating lifelong memories. 

Learn more about the Leadership and Legacy Series and see the lists of previous Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Award recepients.

About the Author

Maggie Dockray is a member of the Sustainable Innovation MBA Class of 2026 at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business.