PTV Announces Ben Doyle as President
Burlington, VT — Today the Preservation Trust of Vermont (“PTV” or the “Trust”) announced Ben Doyle as its President. Ben will succeed Liz Gamache who stepped out of her role as board member and into a one-year appointment as Interim President following the unexpected passing of PTV’s beloved founding President Paul Bruhn in September 2019. Started in 1980, the Trust works to protect, restore, and revitalize the buildings, downtowns, and gathering places that make Vermont so special. From barns and granges to one-room schoolhouses and general stores, from village greens to State and Main, PTV’s work reaches every corner of Vermont.
“We are thrilled for Ben to lead PTV into the next 40 years and to ensure that it remains true to Paul Bruhn’s founding vision for the organization: as a trusted friend and resource to communities working to save and revitalize the buildings and places they love,” said Neale Lunderville, Chair of the Trust’s Board of Directors. “The Preservation Trust is strong and its mission so important for Vermont, particularly during this pivotal time. With Ben’s leadership, we look forward to continuing PTV’s good work with commitment and confidence.”
“Ben has extensive experience in nonprofit management and community and economic development as well as a demonstrated commitment to Vermont,” said Lyssa Papazian, Vice-Chair of the Board and leader of the search committee. “He has the humility, enthusiasm, and strategic mindset to help communities realize their shared vision for the future and preserve the places that are central to it.”
Prior to joining PTV, Ben held a number of leadership roles at USDA Rural Development, a federal agency whose mission is to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of rural America. A former high school educator and Peace Corps administrator, he has spent his career working in and for rural communities. He has served as the Chair of Vermont Humanities, the President of the Vermont Community Development Association, and on the boards of the Vermont State Employees Credit Union (VSECU) and the Public Assets Institute. Originally from Sutton, Vermont, he now resides in Montpelier with his wife Angela and three young children.
“I’m honored to lead PTV and build on the work of Paul and an incredible staff,” said Doyle. “The buildings we care about and protect say a lot about who we are as a community and who we aspire to be. For 40 years, in Paul’s quiet and magical way, PTV has been critical in saving those special places, and in doing so, has strived to preserve Vermont as a place that can be dynamic, connected, and welcoming for all — including new Vermonters who might not have seen a place for themselves here in the past.”
Ben will start full time as President on October 5th, joining the staff of seven other full and part-time employees. He will overlap with Interim President Liz Gamache through the middle of November to ensure a smooth hand-off.
“Liz’s leadership during this challenging year has been nothing short of extraordinary,” added Lunderville. “She was truly heaven sent. On behalf of the entire PTV family, I want to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to Liz for helping lead us through a difficult time. I also want to offer our deepest appreciation to Lyssa Papazian, the search committee, and our outside partner, John Tarvin of EOS Transitions, for their tireless efforts during PTV’s extensive search process, and congratulate them for a job well done.”
