Kim Bean already carries a heavy load, but she is carving out time for more. Kim joined the Green Mountain Adaptive Sports Board of Directors early in 2021; she also sits in the Finance and Fundraising Committee.
We conducted an interview with her, and hope that you will enjoy getting to know her as much as we did.
GMAS: Give us a little basic information about yourself.
KB: I grew up in Barnard, VT., moved back 18 years ago, and now live in North Pomfret with my husband, Tom and our family. We have three kids; Matthew, 20, a student at NVU-Lyndon, Tyler, 18, graduating from Woodstock Union HS and headed to Montana State University for Engineering, and Hannah, 15, finishing her Freshman year of HS. We have two rescue dogs, Sadie & Molly.
GMAS: Tell us about your academic background.
KB: I graduated from Champlain College with a BS in Business and have an MBA from New England College of Business & Finance. Tom and I have our own business, Hillside Builders, LLC. I just finished a Certificate from Cornell for Business Analytics and am working on my CAPM certification (Certified Associate in Project Management)
GMAS: What was your main motivation to joining the GMAS Board?
KB: I’ve always had so much respect for, and watched adaptive athletes in awe, but it was witnessing a friend’s mountain bike accident where she sustained a complete and permanent spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the mid chest down, that prompted me to join GMAS in an effort to give back. I love the outdoors and want to share experiences with everyone, regardless of injury or disability. I chose GMAS specifically because of the support Kelly Brush of the Kelly Brush Foundation and Pascale Savard of GMAS offered us after the accident.
GMAS: What do you hope to contribute to the GMAS Board?
KB: I am a planner and organizer by nature and hope to help with events, and with all of my business and banking backgrounds, I’ve been tapped to be the Treasurer. I am currently working to design membership and giving programs to help increase our donations as well as helping to build a larger footprint in adaptive services. It is fun to collaborate with other Board members in our committees and on our projects. I appreciate the range of expertise that everyone brings and look forward to the growth we can develop for GMAS.
GMAS: Do you also serve on other boards, or committees outside of GMAS? Past or present?
KB: Not currently, but I have served on a board for a school trust and the board for a young professionals group. Currently I am a Mentor for Little Bellas, a mountain bike organization for girls.
GMAS: What’s your overall feeling about the GMAS BOD so far?
KB: Great! I love the ideas and energy that everyone brings to the meetings – and the action. If you are considering joining a Board, I highly recommend GMAS!