The annual Vermont Legacy and Family Enterprise Awards (VLFEA) celebrate enterprises committed to excellence and sustainability that stand out for their innovative practices, corporate governance, and contributions to their communities and industries.
New this year – Inaugural Legacy Panel
In addition to celebrating the winners of the 2025 VLFEA, we will host our 1st Legacy Panel celebrating milestone anniversaries of the following companies:
- Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Rutland, VT – 2023 | Vermont Legacy Award Winner | 50th Anniversary
- Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT – 2019 | Multi-Generation Global Family Enterprise Award Winner | 75thAnniversary
- Tauck, Wilton, CT – Pioneering Co-Founders of UVMs Family Business Initiative | 100th Anniversary
VLFEA Fast Facts
- Established in 2012
- 50 winners altogether which, combined, make up:
- 3,233 years in existence
- > $6 billion annual sales
- 27, 750 employees
- Part of the UVM Grossman School of Business Family Business Initiative
Congratulations to the 2024 VLFEA Winners!

2024 VLFEA Event Highlights
Winners from the 2024 VLFEA were Cascade Engineering, Bead Industries, Inc., Supreme Creations, and OnLogic.
News story about the 2024 winners Photos from the 2024 VLFEA (GooglePhoto) News story from Vermont Business MagazineAwards Process
Who Can Be Nominated?
Body
Innovative Enterprises in the following categories can be nominated:
- 1st Gen: Start-up or purchased firms with multiple family members in ownership or operations.
- Multi-Gen - Family Enterprise that has completed at least one generational transfer within the family.
- Multi-Gen - Global Enterprise that has completed at least one generational transfer within the family.
- Vermont Legacy Enterprise: Vermont based business recognized for outstanding and long lasting success.
Who Can Nominate?
Body
Nominations can be submitted by the company (self-nominations) or by associated parties.
What is the Judging Criteria?
Body
The judging panel will evaluate the nominations and select the winners based on the following criteria:
- Financial success of the company
- Governance of the enterprise
- Contributions to the community and industry
- Innovative business practices or strategies
Who are the Judging Committee Members?
Body
- Molly Heaney of J. M. Huber | 2021 Multi-Generation Global Family Enterprise Award Winner
- Lisa Groeneveld, OnLogic | 2024 Vermont Legacy Award Winner
- Christina Keller, Cascade Engineering | 2024 Multi-Generation Global Family Enterprise Award Winner
- Jill Mayer, Bead Industries | 2024 Multi-Generational U.S. Family Enterprise Award Winner
- Steve Schlesinger ('83) of Sago | 2016 Multi-Gen Global Family Enterprise Award Winner
- Sri Sriram, Supreme Creations / Bags of Ethics | 2024 Multi-Generational Global Family Enterprise Award Winner