Our Staff
Paul Costello
Executive Director
802-223-5763
pcostello @ vtrural.org
Paul joined VCRD as Executive Director in 2000. Paul is a UVM alumni and holds a PhD in intellectual history from McGill University. In addition to his work at VCRD, Paul is a member of the Housing Vermont Board of Directors and President Emeritus of the national Partners for Rural America organization.
Margaret Gibson McCoy
Office and Communications Manager
802-223-6091
info @ vtrural.org
Margaret worked in non-profit office management and communications for 20 years before joining VCRD in the summer of 2008. She grew up and still lives in Central Vermont, and is a UVM graduate.
Helen Labun Jordan
e-Vermont Project Director
802-225-6091
Helen @ vtrural.org
Helen moves to e-Vermont after several years with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture where she was instrumental in developing local and regional food systems through a variety of programs, including the Agriculture Innovation Center, Local Foods Matchmaker, and Taste of Place initiative. She also brings a background in federal and state policy issues, as well as grant writing and management. She is the former director of VCRD’s Creative Communities Program where she worked closely with local teams to jumpstart creative economy development efforts across the state. Helen earned her B.A. from Princeton University and a M.Sc. in Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont. She is currently on the Boards of the Vermont Foodbank and the Adamant Co-Op.
Philip Petty
e-Vermont Community Director
802-223-6098
Phil @ vtrural.org
Philip brings his 30 years of experience as a faculty member at Vermont Technical College to this e-Vermont position. He recently served as Instructional Technology Coordinator and Interim Director of the Center for Sustainable Practices at the school. Philip is an exceptional listener and communicator, and describes himself as a “passionate Internet citizen.” Philip earned his B.A. at UVM and an M.S. in Botany and Plant Pathology at Michigan State University.
Sean Sheehan
e-Vermont Community Director
802-225-6136
Sean @ vtrural.org
Sean worked with the Center for A New American Dream for 12 years, where his management and communication skills were invaluable as he helped start and grow the organization. Sean is a team-builder who has forged hundreds of organizational partnerships and mobilized thousands of volunteers on advocacy and educational campaigns. His experience with public opinion research, on-line resources, and consensus building will help him hit the ground running. Sean earned his B.A. at American University and Masters in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School.
