Board of Directors
Zack’s Place is fortunate to have the experience and creativity of its volunteer board of directors, including entrepreneurs, special educators, and sports champions! Our board of director’s composition reflects Zack’s Place vitality as well as its viability. Our directors contribute to the business acumen, volunteer ethic, and spirit of adventure upon which Zack’s Place is based.
What a B.O.D.
What a B.O.D.
The Board of Directors of Zack’s Place (ZP) are a diverse group of people whose combined experiences and skills offer a unique blend of talents that serve ZP very well. Each board member, in addition to their routine board duties, includes themselves in certain activities that really enhance the function of this wonderful community enrichment center.
Because of the small community setting in which ZP finds itself, its board members immerse themselves in the fundraising arena, the day-to-day activities of ZP, and often find themselves as volunteers to fill gaps in programming. They serve as waiters, bartenders, cooks, and entertainers at fundraisers called “Dine Arounds”. These are themed dinner parties hosted by community members who provide all of the food and drink in their own homes. All proceeds pass to ZP. Even former board members continue to serve as volunteers at activities and functions in order to insure the continued success of ZP.
All of their combined time helping in these diverse roles helps ZP to better serve the participants and keeps overhead down. Board members also often make substantial financial contributions through, not only direct donations, but also by attending fundraisers as paying guests.
Being a board member for ZP is a richly rewarding experience with immediate gratification as one views the participants’ enthusiasm for their ever ongoing projects and knowing that their lives are richer and fuller with each day.
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Board President – Norm Frates, Jr.
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Norm is the Vermont Sales Manager for Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Co., in Woodstock, Vermont. As the father of a young man with cerebral palsy and ZP Founder, Norm has worked diligently to enable his son’s participation in a wide range of activities including art, music, and adaptive sports. Norm’s fun-loving attitude and spirit of adventure make it “cool” to be inclusive. Norm also serves his community through participation in the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and as the Chair of the Woodstock Recreation Center Capitol Campaign Committee. |
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Treasurer, Christine Blaiklock |
For the past eight years, Christine has worked as a special educator at Woodstock Elementary School and has experience as a case manager for Clara Martin mental health center. ZP counts on Christine for her expertise as a longtime educator and administrator, and many ZP members attribute their academic achievement to Christine’s gentle guidance. In addition to budget oversight, Christine frequently volunteers to conduct weekday programs and special events for ZP. |
 Dail Frates
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Dail is a successful real estate agent for Wetmore Buchheit Land and Estate Brokers in Woodstock, Vermont. Her areas of expertise include residential, land and commercial. In 2006, she was co-founder with her husband of Zack’s Place. Passionate about ZP and its possibilities, she immediately became the chairman of fundraising for the center. Successfully, Dail and the committee have raised enough funds to support Zack’s Place operations since the doors opened in September 2006. Dail’s constant devotion to Zack’s Place remains ever strong. She enjoys the fundraising activities as well as the job of assistant snowshoe coach for the Zack’s Place Special Olympics Snowshoe team. She lives with her husband Norm and they have 5 children. Dail enjoys many sports including, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, skiing, snow shoeing and cooking. |
 Katie Merrill
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Katie began her career in the hospitality business, coordinating special events and fundraisers for ten years; and in 1999 was considered one of the top 100 women in business in Phoenix, Arizona. After having her son Jacob, she began working with a non-profit and assisted in creating a day program for undocumented workers which focused on solving problems associated with illegal immigration. Currently Katie works for The Law Office of Peter K. Vollers and volunteers at The Thompson Senior Center and Zack’s Place. |
 BettyAnne McGuire |
Bettyanne is a relative newcomer to Woodstock . She is a retired New Jersey attorney who specialized in special needs estate planning, guardianships, and advocacy for adults and children with disabilities. She has served as chair of the board of a large New Jersey mental health services provider with a $28,000,000 budget as well on her local New Jersey School Board where she chaired the finance and collective bargainning committees. Bettyanne’s past experience and knowledge of the issues confronting the families of persons with special needs allows her to bring compassion and insights to the special population served by Zack’s Place. |
 Dennis Shillen
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Dennis is a senior partner at the Woodstock law offices of Shillen, Gray, and Powell, P.C. As a personal injury defense attorney, Dennis advocates for victims’ rights. Dennis is also a long-time member of the Woodstock Rotary Club and an active supporter of several area cultural institutions including Pentangle Council on the Arts and Billings Farm and Museum. |
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Nerissa Edwards
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Having skied in Vermont during her childhood, Nerissa finally moved to Waterbury in 1989. She has worked as a Counselor at Montpelier High School, Washington West Supervisory Union, and Reading Elementary School. She began work at Woodstock Union High School this fall. She has a strong belief in community service and have subsequently worked with students on all ages on many different service projects. A memorable project was helping dig mud out of the Bethany church with 20 high school students after the Flood of ’92. Currently Nerissa (along with her partner, Jim Sadwith) are Make A Wish of Vermont Wish Grantors. She is also going through the process to certify her dog, Queeg, to be a Therapy Pet. She lives in South Woodstock with her family, Jim, and two children, Austin and Sawyer. |
| Zack’s Place Founding Board |
Board President – Norm Frates, Jr. |
Meg Seely, Vice President- Retired |
Meg has served on a number of local boards including Woodstock Youth Hockey, Woodstock Learning Trust, Ottauquechee Health Foundation, Turning Point, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, and Woodstock Elementary Strategic Planning Committee. In 2001, Meg was the proud recipient of the Martha H. O’Connor Vermont Public School Volunteer-of-the-Year award. Her professional experience includes teaching special education programs in both private and public schools, serving as transitional Principal at the Woodstock and Reading Elementary Schools, and working as a guidance counselor at Woodstock Elementary School.
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Debbie Ennis, Secretary-Retired  |
Debbie is an active volunteer at Zack’s Place and, through her dance instruction, shares a love of life and of meringue and salsa with participants! Before moving to Vermont in the winter of 2006, Debbie managed a vacation resort in the Dominican Republic. Debbie is a savvy businesswoman and a calculated risk-taker, having represented her native Great Britain at the World Skydiving Championships and European Skydiving Championships eleven times. |
Carlton Hurd-Retired |
Carl has served the Greater Woodstock community in several important ways. Recently retired, Carl directed the Physical Education Program at Woodstock Elementary School for thirty years, teaching generations of young people the value of physical fitness. He has received countless awards for his professional achievements, including Teacher of the Year, and has coached basketball, soccer, and track. Carl is also a licensed bus driver. As a ZP volunteer, Carl leads outdoor activities, field games, and inclusive ice skating. |
 Ron Jaynes |
Ron Jaynes, recently retired as President from Jaynes and Berge Inc. He has lived in Woodstock since 1971. He received his BA in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He has served on many local boards including:Woodstock Elementary Woodstock Union High School Woodstock Foundation Advisory Board Vermont National Bank Advisory Board Unitarian Universalist Church Mertens HouseCurrently Serving on the following Boards: Lawrence and Mary Rckefeller Woodstock Foundation Fund He was recipient of the Woodstock Recreation Center Volunteer of the year award 1991 |
