Thomas Dukeshire
37 | Owner | CEO/CTO, Rural Solutions
Residence: Saint Albans
Career highlight(s) you are most proud of:
Where Rural Solutions is in Q4 of 2022. With the support of my wife, family and friends, the business will be a success for its first full year 
with the new brand. Expanding from one employee (me) to seven full-time resources has been the scariest — and most rewarding — experience of my career to date.
Your community involvement:
Coaching youth soccer and supporting Vermont youth leadership and the state with my efforts at the Peace & Justice Center. I am grateful that I have been able to volunteer in different capacities, pulling from my various skills and experience to help others.
Inspiration for living and working in Vermont:
Vermont is my community, where my family is and where I have received all of my education. It was more of a natural progression than a planned one, and I am a very happy citizen of our state.
Favorite part of your job:
Knowing that I am helping my employees grow and my clients succeed. This helps Vermonters, our economy and our communities.
Most inspiring mentor:
My family as a whole. They have taught me how to treat people, how to care for myself and the importance of values while giving back to Vermont.
Best career advice you have received:
Learning how to say no.
Something fun about yourself that few people know:
For a few years in college, I was part of an a cappella group and had one chance to solo in concert (where I was so nervous, I am not sure it went too well!).
Three words that best describe you:
Peacekeeper, entrepreneur and friend.
Favorite Vermont escape:
Running or biking on dirt roads or trails.
Favorite Vermont season:
Fall. Warm days and cool nights are the best. Plus, we have beautiful fall foliage and my birthday!
Favorite downtime activities:
Being outside playing games, listening to music or working in the yard.
Favorite social media:
Lately, I have enjoyed the dialogue on Reddit. Engaging with people across the world in my industry is good for my brain.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
My wife!
Cause(s) you would support if you had unlimited funds:
Vermont’s public education system — the institutions, teachers and students.
A song on your playlist you are embarrassed to admit to your best friend:
“Believe” by Cher.
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years:
Doing what I am doing now: leading Rural Solutions and helping small businesses. Working on continual improvement and growth.
Goal(s) you’d like to accomplish in the next five to 10 years:
I want to double the size of our company within five years and triple it within 10. It is important that we help as many people as we can and never be in a position where we have to turn clients away.
How your community service has changed since the pandemic:
It was done virtually. Fortunately, I was able to contribute by using technology and volunteering from home.
How your job has changed since the pandemic:
I restarted my business on the eve of the pandemic, and it has challenged me to be a bit more creative with remote evaluations. This has been more positive than negative as it saves the customer money by eliminating travel time for on-site visits.