MATTHEW Cota
Matthew Cota
Vermont Fuel Dealers Association
Career Highlights:
Executive Vice-President & Executive Director (April 2007—Present) Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, Montpelier, VT www.vermontfuel.com Chief lobbyist and spokesperson for non-profit trade association. Responsible for providing strategic guidance for fuel retailers and heating service providers in Vermont. Santa Barbara Bureau Chief (September 1998—April 2007) KSBY-TV (NBC) San Luis Obispo, CA www.ksby.com Research, write and report news in southern Santa Barbara County • Appear live in two newscasts daily • Establish and maintain contacts with police, fire and government officials • Assign photographers, hire interns and manage office Digital Arts Instructor and Media Specialist (August 2000—April 2007) Crane Country Day School Montecito, CA www.craneschool.org Teach digital arts class for seventh and eighth grade students at private K-8 school • Direct, edit, write and produce DVD for admissions department • Produce video features for development department. General Assignment Reporter WPTZ-TV (NBC) Colchester, VT Research, write and report news for evening newscast • Covered 1997 and 1998 legislative sessions
Community Involvement:
I am currently the Executive Director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, a non-profit that represents nearly 300 heating fuel and service companies. I manage a $500,000 budget, operate a technical training school, and am the chief lobbyist and spokesperson for the heating industry in Vermont. I serve as a Board member on the Petroleum Marketers Association of America and the New England Fuel Institute. In 2009, I was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Financial Services Champion for my role in helping Vermont's fuel dealers during the unprecedented run up in oil prices during the summer of 2008. I am deeply involved with my community, as a Planning Commissioner in my town of Plainfield and a volunteer in my children’s school. I have also served on the Principal Search Committee at Twinfield Union School. I am a frequent volunteer speaker on energy issues to Rotary Clubs, church groups and at the University of Vermont. One of my proudest efforts is the development of Vermont’s “Split the Ticket” program. Over the past five years, the program has raised more than $25,000 dollars in donations and organized the delivery of $50,000 in free heating fuel to more than 100 neighbors in need. Learn more at http://www.vermontfuel.com/splittheticket.html VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: Energy Communications Council, Management Committee. Energy Action Now, Coordinating Committee Member. Plainfield Planning Commission, Secretary. University of Vermont, Lecturer, Biofuels to Biomass. Petroleum Cleanup Fund Advisory Committee, Member.
Favorite part of job?
Helping Vermont small business owners succeed.
Most inspiring mentor?
Haynes Johnson, former professor and pulitzer prize winning journalist.
Who is your living hero?
Mom and Dad.
Favorite downtime activity?
Snowboarding.
Favorite Vermont Escape?
Hiking Spruce Mountain.
Favorite social network?
Twitter.com follow me @vermontfuel.
Favorite website?
www.vermontfuel.com
Vermont Business Person you would most want to network with?
R. John Mitchell.
VBM's Publisher John Boutin, Matthew Cota and Lt. Governor Phil Scott.