Immediate (Tuesday, December 14, 2004)

Maria McClellan

Fletcher Allen Public Affairs

802-847-2886

Three New Trustees Join Fletcher Allen Board

BURLINGTON, VT - The Fletcher Allen Health Care Board of Trustees accepted the appointments of three new trustees today - Rita Markley, executive director of the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS), Alan Charron, a former administrator at the Vermont Department of Health, and Daniel Chirico, president of Bogner of America, an international fashion apparel company based in Newport, Vermont.  These appointments were made at the annual meeting of the Fletcher Allen Board, held today in the Burgess Building on the Medical Center Campus in Burlington.

Rita Markley was appointed to the Fletcher Allen Board by Fanny Allen Corporation to replace Cornelius (Con) Hogan.  Markley has worked for COTS in Burlington since 1992 and was named executive director in 1996.  During her tenure at the non-profit organization, COTS has been recognized nationally for innovative programming and consistently successful outcomes.  This recognition includes the national Gunther Award for Excellence and the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Blue Ribbon Best Practice Award.  Markley also has been named by The Burlington Free Press as the newspaper's "Vermonter of the Year."

"We are extremely excited to have Rita Markley join the Fletcher Allen Board," said William Schubart, chair of the Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees.  "Her energy and optimism are contagious, and she will enrich our Board with her sensitivity to the health needs of the homeless and underserved people in our local community."

Alan Charron was appointed to the Fletcher Allen Board by the Vermont Health Foundation to replace Henry "Sam" Chauncey.  Charron, now retired, holds a master's degree in public health from Harvard University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Vermont. He enjoyed a long career with the State of Vermont having served in a series of different positions from 1970 to 2001, when he retired.  His career included serving as epidemiology programs administrator at the Vermont Department of Health from 1994 to 2001.  He also served as executive administrator of the Department of Health (1970-1973), director of comprehensive health planning/local health services (1973-1976), health economist (1976-1979), state economist and revenue analyst (1979-1984) and budget and management analyst (1984-1987).

"Al Charron brings a strong background in both health care administration and financial management to the Fletcher Allen Board, providing us with a wonderful blend of skills that will benefit us greatly," said Schubart.  "We are fortunate to have someone with Al's talents and education right here in Burlington, willing and available to serve." 

Daniel Chirico was appointed to the Fletcher Allen Board by the University of Vermont to replace Nancy Chard.  A resident of Derby, Vermont, Chirico has served as president of Bogner of America since 2003, and has been with the company in various management positions since 1999.  He holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Millersville University in Pennsylvania and a master's in business administration from Temple University in Philadelphia.  His background also includes having served as director of finance for Benetton Sportsystem in Bordentown, NJ, and manager of cost accounting and market research for Safeguard Business Systems in Fort Washington, PA. 

"Dan Chirico brings a very strong business and financial accounting background to our Board that will be a great asset to us," said Schubart.  "His business acumen will be a valuable resource to the Fletcher Allen Board."

Background on the Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees

The Fletcher Allen Board of Trustees has 18 members.  Sixteen of the 18 members are appointed by Fletcher Allen's four parent organizations: University Health Center, Fanny Allen Corporation, Vermont Health Foundation and the University of Vermont.  Each of these organizations fills four positions on the board, working closely together to meet the needs of the overall board.  In addition to these 16 members, the chief executive officer and a board chair round out the 18-member board.