Board & Staff
Our Board: NDD’s Board of Directors is highly engaged in every aspect of the organization. They meet monthly, but each of our board members is also invested in leading some significant part of our work!
Executive Director: Rick Ufford-Chase is an avid outdoorsman whose family has lived in Lowell for six generations, where he and his wife Kitty live in a cabin they built on his family’s land. He has thirty-five years of experience as a non-profit entrepreneur and director. When not busy with his work, Rick can usually be found working on remodeling projects, playing on the water (sailing and kayaking), or running to get ready for the Dandelion or Fly to Pie events with Kingdom Games. Rick and Kitty have three adult children and one grandchild. Rick can be reached at RickUC@nddvt.org
Associate Director: Felicia Updyke (she/her) moved to the Northeast Kingdom in 2022 from Southern California and is loving every minute of it. She quickly got involved in the community and currently serves as the Associate Director for Newport Downtown Development, Secretary for Memphremagog Community Maritime and does contract marketing work on the side. Prior to moving to the NEK, Felicia ran her own business that managed a handful of musicians from around the world. In her free time she loves reading, petting all the dogs and spending time with her sassy daughter. Felicia can be reached at feliciau@nddvt.org.
Our Team
We’re anchored by a staff of two Directors and supported by several consultants, but the heart of our organization really is driven by dozens of volunteers who want to make Newport a fun place to be!
Executive Director: Rick Ufford-Chase
Associate Director: Felicia Updyke
Bookkeeping: Deb Tanguay
Communications/Website/Newsletter: Bryan Marovich
CanUSA 360 Arts Collaborative: Lynn Rublee
Economic Development Director: Brian Gray
Meet Our Board
FIRST ONE WITH CSS
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I joined the board in 2021. Having lived here almost my entire life, I want to see Newport thrive. I want to be part of change and set Newport up for short and long-term success!
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Paralegal Professional Certificate from Champlain College. I serve on the board of Green Mountain Farm to School and the board of the Risk Management Association Vermont Chapter as well as the RMA National Council. In the past, I served as a board member for the NEK Young Professionals as well as Northern Community Investment Capital (NCIC) .
Describe your professional experience
I have worked at Community National Bank for the past 15 years primarily in the commercial lending department.
Share something about your personal interests
In my free time you can find me traveling, attending concerts or spending time on my deck in the summer with friends, family and pets!
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
The power of community is so important and involving everyone in key decisions and having a voice in their community is a place I want to live in.
Sarah Chadburn (She/Her), Board President — Assistant Vice President & Commercial Loan Officer, Community National Bank
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I joined the board in 2021. Having lived here almost my entire life, I want to see Newport thrive. I want to be part of change and set Newport up for short and long-term success!
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Paralegal Professional Certificate from Champlain College. I serve on the board of Green Mountain Farm to School and the board of the Risk Management Association Vermont Chapter as well as the RMA National Council. In the past, I served as a board member for the NEK Young Professionals as well as Northern Community Investment Capital (NCIC) .
Describe your professional experience
I have worked at Community National Bank for the past 15 years primarily in the commercial lending department.
Share something about your personal interests
In my free time you can find me traveling, attending concerts or spending time on my deck in the summer with friends, family and pets!
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
The power of community is so important and involving everyone in key decisions and having a voice in their community is a place I want to live in.
Scott Grimes (He/His), NDD Treasurer — Software Engineering Manager, DRW
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
Excited to help Newport grow and thrive.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
Bachelors in Politics & Economics (Texas A&M University) and Masters degrees in Mathematics (University of Texas) and Psychology (Harvard)
Describe your professional experience.
Taught AP Mathematics and Computer Science for 5 years before transitioning into the private sector as a software engineer. I currently manage a team of software engineers for a proprietary trading firm.
Share something about your personal interests.
I’m a voracious reader and love to sail and brew beer.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
I love being part of the community and effecting change in the place I live and work.
Eleanor Leger (She/Her) — Founder and Co-owner of Eden Specialty Ciders
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I was a member back in 2012 – 2013. I rejoined in 2021. In both instances I joined because I had confidence in my fellow board members and felt we could make good progress toward improving economic activity in downtown Newport.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
BA in Economics from Harvard, MBA from The Wharton School, Univ. of Pennsylvania. Board member and 3 terms as President of the Board of the American Cider Association. Co-Founder of the Vermont Cider Makers Association. Member of the initial Working Lands Enterprise Board for the State of Vermont. Board of Northwoods Stewardship Center in Charleston, VT.
Describe your professional experience.
My past career was in Finance and Software until founding Eden Specialty Ciders in 2008.
Share something about your personal interests.
I love spending time with my husband, 2 grown children and their spouses and my 2 adorable grandchildren!
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
I think the time is finally right, and we have the right people in place in City government, to make really good things happen for downtown Newport. As a business located right on Main Street, we have been holding on in hopes of good things in the future. That future is coming to fruition and I want to do all I can to support it!
Emily Smartt (She/Her), NDD Communications Committee Chair — Supervisor, Nonprofit Relationship Management Solutions, RSM LLC
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
Joined in February 2024. I believe it is our civic duty to give back to our community and hope that I can help Newport become an even better place to live work and play.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. I’ve considered myself a volunteer fundraiser since starting my career and have volunteered with various organizations including TNAchieves where I mentored High School students preparing to go to college.
Describe your professional experience.
I work as a technical consultant aiding non-profits and associations moving to the Salesforce ecosystem. I have worked in data science for the past 20 years in several industries, but my passion is helping non profits to fulfill their mission.
Share something about your personal interests.
I am a proud mom to a high schooler, and in my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking and crafting.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
In my career, I have worked with hundreds of non-profits around the world, but I rarely get to make an impact beyond their technical stack. Working with NDD allows me to be more personally invested in making my community a better place for everyone.
Dave Laforce (He/Him), NDD Economic Development Committee Chair — Owner, Built by Newport
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
Joined in June 2023. I’ve been a lifelong resident of Newport and want to help reenergize the community to make it a better place for everyone to enjoy. Especially our youth so they can be encouraged to stay.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
University of Life / Past Volunteer Experiences: Board Member of UCA and North Country Hospital
Describe your professional experience.
Own Built by Newport with my wife Julie which is a furniture manufacturing facility in Newport.
Share something about your personal interests.
Enjoy time and vacations with family. Recently got back into snowmobiling with my two sons.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
My parents moved here from Quebec in 1963 because Newport was a thriving city with great shopping, restaurants and nightly/weekend activities. Having been born here, I’ve seen that go in a different direction to the point where many of our youth leave the area because things have become so stagnant. There is some great energy within NDD and there is a large group of people that understand the potential for the future. I believe we can change the story to bring back the energy that existed in 1963.
Dave Laforce (He/Him), NDD Economic Development Committee Chair — Owner, Built by Newport
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
Joined in June 2023. I’ve been a lifelong resident of Newport and want to help reenergize the community to make it a better place for everyone to enjoy. Especially our youth so they can be encouraged to stay.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
University of Life / Past Volunteer Experiences: Board Member of UCA and North Country Hospital
Describe your professional experience.
Own Built by Newport with my wife Julie which is a furniture manufacturing facility in Newport.
Share something about your personal interests.
Enjoy time and vacations with family. Recently got back into snowmobiling with my two sons.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
My parents moved here from Quebec in 1963 because Newport was a thriving city with great shopping, restaurants and nightly/weekend activities. Having been born here, I’ve seen that go in a different direction to the point where many of our youth leave the area because things have become so stagnant. There is some great energy within NDD and there is a large group of people that understand the potential for the future. I believe we can change the story to bring back the energy that existed in 1963.
Andrea Carbine (She/Her), NDD Housing Committee Co-Chair Work-Based Learning Coordinator, North Country Career Center
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I joined the NDD board in April 2024. Volunteerism is a lost art and I am compelled to help the place that I reside thrive. I remember Newport as a child and now that I am back living here as an adult I feel a strong urge to help create the vibrancy that should exist in our beautiful piece of the Northeast Kingdom.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
Bachelor of Science: Marketing (Bryant College), Master of Arts: Leadership Studies (Northern Vermont University)
Describe your professional experience.
I have been a food service professional for much of my career working in various capacities including General Manager of The Isabella Stuart Gardner Cafe in Boston and Breaking New Grounds in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 2012, I began my high school teaching career and taught various courses and programs including Introduction to Culinary Arts and Hospitality. In 2018, I became the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the North Country Career Center.
Share something about your personal interests.
I am a mom of two boys who keep me very busy. I love to listen to music, go to concerts, cook, garden, and spend time outside.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
For the first time since we moved back here in 2012, I feel like there is renewed positivity to make Newport prosper and I want to help make a difference.
Umair Malik, MD (He/His), NDD Housing Committee Co-Chair Board Certified in Family Medicine, Blue Spruce Health
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I joined the NDD board in February of 2024. I am excited by the prospect of being a more involved member of my community and helping to shape its growth and development.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
I majored in Biology at Concordia University, Montreal and completed my medical degree magna cum laude at St. George’s University. I completed my medical residency in Family Medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center with a focus on Global Health and Preventive Medicine.
Describe your professional experience
I moved to Newport, Vermont in 2014 and have practiced as a primary care physician in the community since. More recently I opened Blue Spruce Health as a means for creating a more direct relationship with my patients.
Share something about your personal interests
In my free time I love to cook and make meals with the family. In another life I would have loved to have gone to culinary school. I am looking forward to resuming a passion in learning to fly and hope to eventually get a private pilot’s license.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
Since joining the board I’ve gotten knee deep in supporting the Housing Taskforce in finding solutions to generating more homes and living options for our Newport residents. I am excited to nurture this much needed resource and see it prosper in the coming years.
Terry Payton, Board Member – Director of Plant Operations Galvion
When did you join the board and why does the mission resonate with you?
I joined the board in 2024. Newport is a beautiful city and I have made it my home since joining Galvion 4 years ago. With its natural beauty and hometown character, it excites me to be a part of positive changes and develop the city to be a place where people are drawn to, to live, work and visit.
What are your educational degrees and relevant school or volunteer experiences?
Peterson School, Woburn, Ma. Certificate in HVACR, Nyack College Business, Nyack, NY, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, Ma. and North Shore Community College. Engel Injection Molding Certification.
Describe your professional experience
I have worked from coast to coast running manufacturing facilities, from Semiconductor industry, Electrical Protection, Welding operations to Helmet Manufacturing. Driven growth and broken company records for production in each of the industries/plant operations I’ve led. I have worked in Eastern Europe doing Economic development and involved in Humanitarian Efforts. I enjoyed guiding in warmer months for fishing and hunting camps in the Canadian Arctic while involved in Eastern Europe.
Share something about your personal interests
I’m an avid fly-fisherman. I enjoy spending time with family my 2 dogs and being outdoors no matter what I;’m doing.
Why are you excited to be involved with NDD?
To help see Newport grow into a thriving community where people are drawn to live, thrive and raise their families and work.