Writing
Micro.blog is my blog. I also keep the public posts I write elsewhere in one place.
From Micro.blog
My heat pumps stopped making cold air, and for a year nobody could tell me why. Not the HVAC company I paid $1,150, not Daikin’s support line, and definitely not me. Here’s the part that still gets me: I don’t know anything about heat pumps. A week ago I couldn’t have told you what an expansion valve was. I called it, out loud, into my phone, “one of the valves that controls if something heats or something cools.”
I spend a lot of my free time thinking about how the brands I love in Vermont could push their digital experiences further. I can’t help it! I see a brand doing something great and I immediately start thinking about what else they could build. I’ll give you an example.
This Monday I had the honor and privilege to photograph the 47th New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference (NEG-ECP) at Shelburne Farms. Check out a few of my favorite shots from the day. 👇
In addition to the esteemed Heads of Delegation, special guests included Kyle Clark of BETA TECHNOLOGIES, U.S. Representative Becca Balint, and U.S. Senator Peter Welch.
Energy and affordability came up in nearly every conversation we had, and it was remarkable to hear people actually discuss ideas. It was far from how I'd imagined conversations like this would go, and what I heard instead was real warmth between them, and real respect for their constituents. It's how I grew up hoping politics would work, like I'd wandered into an episode of The West Wing.
Governor Phil Scott put the day in a sentence at the press conference: "Our relationships are our most critical infrastructure."
Thanks to Amanda Wheeler for the introduction that put me in the room, and to Alex Demoly and everyone at GBIC: Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation for trusting me with the day.
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I've sat in enough marketing meetings to know how easily a post like this gets hedged into nothing, and this one didn't. That says a lot about the people I work with and the organization behind it. Proud of both. 💙
Happy #PrideMonth, #Vermont! 🌈
Pride Month is a good time to say something plainly: LGBTQ+ Vermonters deserve care that respects who they are, because feeling safe and seen is part of being healthy.
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, whole person care means supporting both body and mind, so our member benefits include access to mental health counseling. In addition, we offer personalized, voluntary, no-cost support to navigate gender affirming services from our expert team of nurses and social workers.
We’re proud to support organizations like Outright Vermont, the Pride Center of Vermont, and the Barre People's Health & Wellness Clinic, which partners with the Rainbow Bridge Community Center to help community members access youth and family support, crisis resources, and free affirming care information.
Start with mental health support resources: https://lnkd.in/eXKRjT-h
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Three posts in one day? That can't be good for my reach! I just can't help it but to share the lovely faces of my new friends and colleagues at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont. 💙
Special shoutout to my buddies from EastRise Credit Union! I'm glad I got the opportunity to say "howdy" and take your picture. 🧡
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Another #GreenUpDay in the books! Loved getting out in the sunshine with the crew from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and helping keep Vermont #Green. 💚💙
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Nearly one-third of Americans are making sacrifices to afford their health care, according to a new poll from West Health - Gallup.
For those without insurance, it’s even more stark – 62% made a tradeoff to pay for their care, including borrowing money, putting off prescriptions, skipping meals or skimping on utilities.
In Vermont, the issue is especially concerning. Vermont stands in the bottom 5 states for health care experience at #47 when ranked by cost, quality and access.
As Vermont’s only non-profit insurer, these numbers hit home. While news like this is hard to hear, it also fuels our team’s commitment to drive savings for our members, advocate for lower health care costs and support greater access to care.
While many factors impact the cost of care, prescription drugs are a significant driver. Last week, I was proud to stand with Treasurer Mike Pieciak at the State House to support bill H.577 and the ArrayRX program, which will help lower prescription drug costs by leveraging the collective buying power of Vermont and other states to provide a seamless pathway to more affordable medications.
One prescription drug program isn’t enough to end the real sacrifices many Vermonters are making to afford their health care. It’s a step in the right direction, though, and one we’re proud to support with leaders across our state.
Sources and links in the comments.
#Vermont #HealthCare #PrescriptionDrugs
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Not a bad view from the new office! #Vermont
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Incredible first week at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont! What a way to cap it off, seeing many new and old faces in the State House. I'm pretty sure there was someone there from nearly stage of my life so far. Did I mention the athletes? Wow! What an inspiration. 💪
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I'm excited to share that I've joined Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont! I'll be supporting the organization and the brand team as their Social Media Strategist.
After nearly seven years building what became one of Vermont's most engaging social media presences at EastRise Credit Union, I'm bringing that same energy to an organization whose mission hits close to home: helping Vermonters access quality, affordable healthcare.
Vermont is a small state with big challenges and healthcare is at the center of so many of them. I'm excited to tell stories that matter, build community, and help people understand the resources available to them. That's always been what I love most about this work: using digital platforms to connect real people with things that actually improve their lives.
Beth Wirsul, you were my dance partner through this entire process, from the very first phone call to the day I signed. Your professionalism, warmth, and transparency set the tone for everything that followed. I knew I'd be joining a team that values doing the work well and treating people right.
To everyone who supported me during the search, the advisors, the references, the friends who listened, the people who made introductions and sent encouragement when I needed it most, THANK YOU! The past few months taught me a lot about patience, persistence, and the value of genuine relationships.
Here's to the next chapter! Let's go, Vermont. 💪
#BlueCrossVT #SocialMediaStrategy #Vermont
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I spend a lot of my free time thinking about how the brands I love in Vermont could push their digital experiences further. I can’t help it! I see a brand doing something great and I immediately start thinking about what else they could build.
I’ll give you an example.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is one of Vermont’s most beloved craft breweries, and they’re in the middle of expanding into new markets along the East Coast. Their brand is incredible, their community impact is real, and their commitment to freshness is central to everything they do. But that story is mostly told through a traditional website. I kept thinking: what if you could experience that expansion as a journey?
So I built The Sunshine Trail, an interactive map that connects Lawson’s home in Waitsfield, Vermont to Asheville, North Carolina. 791 miles of mountain communities, outdoor adventures, and cold beer.
The map shows every Lawson’s location I could identify (breweries, retailers, bars, restaurants) alongside hiking trails, river put-ins, community partners, and DC fast chargers along a scenic road trip route through the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and Vermont Route 100. Every design element pulls directly from Lawson’s brand: their colors, their fonts, their custom SVGs, even the signature wave animation from their website. It should feel like something Lawson’s built themselves.
But the details are where it gets fun. Hover over “Sunshine” in the header and god rays shoot across the page. On HDR displays, the sun pushes brightness beyond standard range. Hover over “Cold Beer” and it starts snowing, a nod to their chain of freshness promise. The Sip of Sunshine logo spins with real momentum physics, and clicking it launches emoji bursts. None of these get in the way if you’re just there for the map. That’s the whole point of them being Easter eggs.
The live impact widget projects real historical data forward, showing dollars raised and solar energy generated ticking up in real time. Community partner popups tell actual impact stories with donate buttons linking directly to each organization. An email capture modal triggers after 30 seconds on the route view, creating a natural top-of-funnel opportunity with genuine value exchange: a curated road trip itinerary.
I built the whole thing with Claude as a coding partner, tested it across 15 screen sizes, and added full accessibility support throughout. On mobile, tilting your phone creates wind that blows the snowflakes. The map expands when you tap a marker so you have room to actually read the popup. Every interaction is designed to teach you how to use the site without having to explain anything.
If you want to explore it, the site is live at thesunshinetrail.com. It's password protected, so use "linkedin" to get in. Let me know what you think in the comments! 👇
#DigitalMarketing #CraftBeer #Vermont #AI #WebDevelopment #BrandStrategy
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After a busy few months, I'm thrilled to share some news: I'm officially a member of the Montpelier Rotary Club.
Rotary has been part of my story since I was sixteen. Charles Hogan and the Cambridge Rotary Club took a chance on me and sent me to Belgium for a year through their Youth Exchange program. That experience was unforgettable!
Now, what feels like a short time later, I'm excited to be officially joining. Local community organizations like Rotary are exactly what we need right now. Real people, doing real work, in real places.
Thank you to Marc Gwinn and Mark Provost for sponsoring me. And to Charles Hogan and everyone at Cambridge Rotary who believed in a teenager with big ideas way back when.
Looking forward to doing some good work with this crew.
If you're still following me from those days, say hi in the comments! I have so many wonderful memories of Rotary, of Belgium, of host families and late-night conversations and figuring out who I was going to be. Would love to reconnect.
#Rotary #Vermont #Community #YouthExchange
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It's not every day you see a photo you took on a bus! 🚌
I was the professional photographer for EastRise Credit Union during my time there, doing imagery for everything from brand development all the way through our campaigns in late 2025 and 2026. I'm mostly a digital content guy, but there's truly nothing more special than seeing your work out in the world — on a bus, no less!
As a kid, I thought pictures on NYC buses were the highest form of advertising. Only the most prestigious brands could afford to advertise there. 🤭 That's still kind of how I feel? Seeing this in the wild, unexpectedly, was a moment.
I started as a passionate hobbyist. EastRise helped me grow into a professional. They really do nurture their own, and I'm forever grateful for that.
If you ever need photography for your business, I'm around! I'd love to chat.
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Working with Taylor Hoar was a highlight of my time at EastRise Credit Union.
Taylor made history in 2025 as the first Vermonter ever selected for the prestigious Kulwicki Driver Development Program, becoming the first female finalist since 2022. At Thunder Road, she earned a podium finish in the Squier Cup and continues to prove herself in one of short track racing's most competitive environments.
But here's what I'll remember most:
It wasn't just her performance on the track—it was how she showed up everywhere else. Four years with Race to Read. Volunteering at the Vermont Foodbank. Bringing hope to kids at CAMP TA-KUM-TA.
Taylor embodied something I see in Vermont's best: the drive to excel in your craft while lifting up the community around you.
I'll see you on the high banks, Taylor! Keep showing #Vermont what hard work and heart can accomplish.
One of my favorite shots from 2025 📸 https://lnkd.in/etur9Gy8
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After nearly seven years at EastRise Credit Union, I'm exploring what's next.
It's been a significant chapter. I arrived when we were VSECU, helped build Vermont's most engaging credit union social media presence, and navigated a complete organizational merger and rebrand. I'm proud of what we built—from a viral cow that raised funds for members during COVID, to content that consistently outperformed organizations many times our size, to establishing EastRise's digital voice.
Thanks to my wonderful colleagues—from facilities and branch teams to my compatriots in marketing. Y'all do great work, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next. I'm particularly thankful to Jevonne for her guidance and leadership.
To the members I got the pleasure of working with, you're incredible.
When I graduated high school right here in Morrisville, Vermont, I thought I'd be looking outside the state for a meaningful career. I'm so happy that I chose to build that right here, along with my beautiful family.
The work mattered because it helped Vermonters understand that financial empowerment isn't intimidating—it's accessible. That's always been the thread through my career: making complex things clear, whether it's astronomy, independent journalism, or why your local credit union actually gives a damn about your financial future.
I'm really excited for this next chapter. I'm looking for what's next—ideally with mission-driven organizations that prioritize authentic community connection. I thrive in innovative, data-driven environments, and where someone can be equally comfortable in a strategy meeting or behind the camera.
That intersection—where data meets storytelling—is where I thrive. I’m looking forward to finding the next place to do exactly that.
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As a sixth-generation Vermonter, I had an incredible experience at BETA TECHNOLOGIES' Career Day yesterday. I couldn't be prouder to see our state leading the charge in electric aviation.
What struck me most was how BETA embodies Vermont values while tackling global challenges. This isn't just about electric aircraft; it's about proving that transformative technology can emerge from a state that's always balanced innovation with purpose.
Walking through the South Burlington facility, the scale, innovation, and genuine passion of the team were truly inspiring. This is Vermont manufacturing at its finest – sustainable, innovative, and built by people who genuinely care about the mission. Great to see this opportunity for graduates from University of Vermont and Vermont State University!
Thank you to everyone at BETA who took the time to share their perspectives. I'm incredibly excited about the future of sustainable aviation in Vermont, supported by a great tech ecosystem with partners like Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) and the Vermont Department of Labor.
✈️⚡ #ElectricAviation #VermontInnovation #SustainableTransportation #BETATechnologies #Vermont #VT #VTtech #MadeinVermont #VermontBusiness #Industry40
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Professional archive
I’ve kept all 53 EastRise articles with the projects and campaigns they supported.