Our Staff
Grady & Merry Vigneau
Owners
Email: info@roundhearth.com
(802) 253-7223
Since 1988, your hosts, the Vigneau family, have owned New England's premier youth group "dorm-style" facility. As a team, the Vigneau's offer the perfect blend of skilled Manager & caring Host. Merry's professional skill in operations & culinary management proves that group hospitality & dining can be exciting, comfortable, & delicious! Grady, a former college football coach also holds a Columbia MBA. In '88, the Vigneau's moved to the Green Mountains where they thoroughly enjoy working -- & skiing! -- with YOU!
Part of what makes the Round Hearth "experience" so unique is has been the Vigneau's blend of family and friendship over the years. Their willingness to give back to the community and young people has won them both local and national accolades for doing business the "right-way". Many of our group leaders and coaches, along with their families have "grown-up" alongside the Vigneau family, and we find it both flattering and thrilling to continue this path into the next generation! Not an easy task!
The Vigneau Family concept has been both successful and industry leading. With hundreds of programs and thousands of guests served at our dinner table through the years, it has been their consistent business philosophy, masterful management, and incredible teamwork that is the backbone to our success. Our nationally acclaimed "Round Hearth Ski Tours" and "Stowe Summer Sports Festival Summer Camps" have been providing opportunities to young people since their humble beginnings.
SO, what are the Vigneau's up to today?
In 2008, after twenty-years of incredible sales and marketing management, Grady was named headmaster at Bridgton Academy, the only all-male preparatory school in the country located in Bridgton, Maine. To say that this appointment and next phase of their life was a huge change would be an understatement. Within months, many hard business decisions had to be made. One of which was closing one of our nationally acclaimed lodging facilities, "The Red Fox Alpine Lodge" at Smugglers' Notch. It was a hard decision. However, the Vigneau's knew that something much better and special would lie ahead.
By moving everything over to their beginning's at "Vermont's most famous ski dorm", and creating a more cohesive management team under one roof, the Round Hearth is seeing a revived and rejuvenated energy, making our business a true leader in the youth group and adult educational programming industry.
As for the rest of the Vigneau "brood", Grady Jr. is now a junior at Hamilton College, majoring in Sociology and is a member of the Hamilton Continentals baseball team. Alison and Chris are BOTH attending Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Alison is majoring in sociology with a sports study minor, and Chris is a piano performance major. Alison continues her Field Hockey career as a "Fighting Scot" and Chris is a member of the Gordon Choir, the Gordon Orchestra and several ensembles. As both live and learn on the same college campus, they stay connected, and each keeping a close eye on the other ; ) Kim is now a sophomore at Hebron Academy, playing field hockey and tennis and participating in the theatre program. Thinking she would finally have the house to herself, she was soon mistaking as the Vigneau "Kids" always make their way back home to spend time with each other.
With Grady's new role at Bridgton Academy and taking on more of a board of trustee/ advisor role at Round Hearth, Merry has assumed both the General Management and Chief Financial Officer responsibilities. The Vigneau's keep a very present role in the day-to-day operations at Round Hearth, and our staff would not want it any other way! Part of makes Round Hearth so successful is our people. Having the right blend of family, management, and oversight is necessary to keeping a fresh and integral business, which has paid huge dividends for YOU and US!
Perhaps during your stay with us, you will have the opportunity to meet your gracious host family, in their many frequent visits to their "roots" in Stowe, Vermont. We look forward to sharing with you their unique blend of friendship and hospitality very soon!
Jason Kirchick
E-mail: jasonk@roundhearth.com
Director of Sales and Marketing
Phone: (802) 253-7223
Jason has been with Round Hearth since 2005, and took on his leadership role as Director of Sales and Marketing in 2007. In this role Jason has implemented a complete refresh of the Round Hearth brand in dealing with all aspects of our business. Chances are when you call the Round Hearth; you will experience Jason’s upbeat personality and his true passion and professionalism for what we do.
Prior to joining the Round Hearth, Jason was a Corporate Trainer and Inflight Crewmember for JetBlue Airways. From his experience at JetBlue, Jason brought to Round Hearth a structured but innovative corporate culture, which keyed in on five core values: Safety, Caring, Integrity, Fun, and Passion. His commitment to customer service and leadership role at JetBlue, earned him many awards and accolades.
No stranger to young people, Jason has dedicated much of his young adult life to programs and outreach programs for young people world-wide. A member of Airline Ambassadors, Jason along with his fellow aviation colleagues visited poor countries around the globe, bringing smiles and laughter to children in those communities.
A native of Boston Massachusetts, Jason is bilingual in Spanish, received his bachelor’s degree in Music and Communications, and has performed numerous concert venues and recitals across the United States and overseas including performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus. He has taught and directed church and youth group choruses in New England, and has produced his own concert series as a fundraiser for cancer research.
Jason is also founder and executive director of Vermont Vocal Arts Institute, one of our exciting summer programs, in which he is once again channeling his love of music and his talent as a mentor of young people to create this opportunity for young singers to explore their talents and love of singing. He has also started Vermont Music Tours, (an extension of our Round Hearth Ski Tours) which will enable music groups from around New England to afford exciting trips and performance opportunities throughout Vermont.
Jason’s unique approach, commitment, and dedication to our business, has earned him our complete trust and confidence. Chances are when you call about one of our many program offerings; you will experience first hand, his commitment to you and no nonsense business approach to ensure that your experience with us is effortless and stress-free.
“Whether you join us on one of our famous ski trips or participate in one of our many programs, we want YOU to become part of the Round Hearth family! What a thrill to see so many new and familiar faces from season to season. The Round Hearth is truly is a place where traditions begin, and long lasting friendships are made. Our exciting team of professionals promises you the highest level of commitment to you and your group, and service with a smile!”
Christian Pinillos
E-mail: christianp@roundhearth.com
Director of Operations
Phone: (802) 253-7223
Prior to assuming the mantle of Round Hearth Director of Operations, Christian was Director of Operations at our Red Fox Alpine Lodge from July, 2006 until September 2008 after serving an extended "apprenticeship" of 6 years with both businesses. A native of the country of Peru in South America, Christian first came to the U.S. as a foreign-exchange student to assist in the winter management of the Red Fox Lodge in December, 2000. After a winter at the Red Fox, Christian returned to Vermont for the winter of 2001-02 to assist with year-round direction of Round Hearth Lodge and has not left since!
"We believe that you and/or your group's trip to Vermont, for skiing & riding, a sports camp, an organizational retreat or an educational experience, should be one of your most fun & memorable experiences--whether you're a first timer or an "old hand'. We're dedicated to exceeding your expectations & creating exciting new reasons for you to come back every year!" -- Christian Pinillos
Christian is a college graduate back home in Peru and received his B.S. in law and political sciences at the University of San Martin de Porres. Needless to say, his knowledge, intelligence, and great wit and way with our guests are of great benefit to both US and YOU! Christian's love of learning remains very evident in his on-going experience here in the United States.
After six years of law school, Christian furthered his educational background and experience and received an A.S. in Communications studying at a local area college. After completing his degree program, Christian took on a huge undertaken to begin working tirelessly on his immigration status in America, enabling him to extend his visa and build upon his incredible leadership and management role at Round Hearth.
Bilingual in both English and Spanish, Christian’s strong educational background and work travel program experience, enables him to bring an incredible combination of knowledge and people skills to lead an outstanding staff, year-round to operate one of New England’s premier lodging and youth group facilities. Hosting groups and peoples from all corners of the globe, his international background and experience provides a charisma and understanding to our business that is un-paralleled.
His strength's include great caring and commitment to getting things done "the right way!” Christian’s leadership, professionalism, and great care of our guests continue to build upon the long lasting relationships and friendships we have built during the past twenty-years. There is no doubt that you will experience the dedication, commitment, and outstanding service Christian and his staff bring to the Round Hearth to provide you a great vacation or stay.
Chef, Sue Miller
Head Chef
E-mail: chefsue@roundhearth.com
Phone: (802) 253-7223
At the helm of our kitchen is Chef Sue Miller, who joined our team in 2006. Since then, Sue's experience, craftsmanship, and pure "sixth sense" in the kitchen are of great pride to us here at Round Hearth.
With over thirty years experience, the beginnings of Sue's interest in culinary sciences took shape with her humble beginnings in her mothers kitchen, baking and preparing dinners as a young girl.
Her professional career began at The Village at Smugglers Notch in Jeffersonville, Vermont. Her reputation for wholesome and comforting meals grew and her culinary skills improved. Soon she expanded her repertoire as Chef at The Crown & Anchor Restaurant and then began cooking for athletes at The Windridge Tennis Camps in Roxbury, Craftsbury and Jeffersonville. Soon after the entrepreneurial spirit took hold, she opened a bed and breakfast in Stowe. A romantic country inn with eight lovely guest rooms and a hundred-seat restaurant, it was hard but rewarding work and the guests came from all corners of the globe to sample Sue's culinary delights.
A few years later, Sue's lifelong love of horses and the entrepreneurial spirit again took hold and Sue opened the Pristine Meadow, a horse boarding and training facility high on a hillside in Stowe overlooking Mt. Mansfield. She created a haven for young equestrians and horses alike, offering sleigh and trail rides, a children's summer riding camp, horseback-riding lessons in the hunter/jumper and dressage styles. The dream grew once again when Sue moved the whole operation to Morrisville where she operated the largest Equestrian center with an indoor riding arena in Lamoille County. The hard work and the long hours eventually took hold and Sue retired from the Equestrian Business to return to her other true love, cooking.
At the Round Hearth, one of our strongest commitments is providing comforting, and delicious meals for all. We take great pride in our food and menu selections, and with taking great sensitivity to those with special dietary needs, allergies, and restrictions. Our Kitchen staff is both trained and skilled in dealing with such requests whenever they are made known. Sue and our entire team look forward to serving you a well prepared, and tasty home-cooked meal in our dining room.
Camp Directors
Coach Danny Noyes
Camp Director
Dryland Alpine Ski Racing Camp
21st Annual Stowe Summer Sports Festival
Joining us for his fourth year as camp director of our 21st annual Dryland Alpine Ski Racing Camp is Coach Danny Noyes. Danny has been an integral part of our Stowe Summer Sports Festival programs since 2003 and we are very excited and flattered to have him back! He has shown a strong commitment to our staff, campers and parents, and his great coaching skills are of great value to us and YOU!
From 2006-2008, Danny was also director of our Camp Adventure summer program, hosted at the Red Fox Alpine Lodge. Due to the ever-growing popularity of our Dryland camp with BOTH kids and parents, Coach Noyes will join us for TWO incredible fun-filled weeks of Dryland Camp, being hosted this year at our Round Hearth Lodge, located in Stowe, Vermont.
Now in his second year as head coach of Colby College's men's and women's alpine ski teams, he had three Colby skiers -- two men and one woman -- qualify for the NCAA Skiing Championships in his first season with the Mules! Vincent Lebrun-Fortin '11 earned All-America honors in both the slalom and giant slalom.
Danny is a 2002 Colby graduate and a former assistant alpine ski coach with the Mules. He worked as a student assistant coach for the 2002 alpine ski season and stayed at Colby as an assistant for the 2003 season. Danny worked with Colby All-American skiers Warner Nickerson, Rob Saunders, Abbi Lathrop and Jenny Lathrop.
Noyes moved on to St. Lawrence for the 2004 and 2005 ski seasons. He also earned his master's degree at St. Lawrence and was an assistant football coach. Noyes had an outstanding athletic career at Colby. He was the men's Millett Award winner, given to the senior who has contributed the most to Colby athletics in their four years.
He was the head coach of the alpine ski teams at Colby-Sawyer College for two years before coming to Colby. At Colby-Sawyer, he led them to third-place finishes out of 19 schools in the giant slalom for the men and women at the United States Collegiate Skiing Association (USCSA) Championships this past March. The Colby-Sawyer women also placed fourth in the slalom. In those events at the 2006 championship meet, Colby-Sawyer placed fourth in all three at Sugarloaf USA.
Coach Noyes serves as president of the USCSA's MacConnell Division and is currently vice president of the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association. He also holds his referee certification for the United States Ski Association.
Danny has certainly proven himself as a great coach, mentor and sportsman to young people, and his continued work and commitment with our camps is a true testament to his professionalism and sportsmanship. Our parents and campers feedback speaks volumes to his role as Camp Director, and both Danny and WE look forward to seeing you at camp very soon.
Coach Matt Belfield
Camp Director
Cross-Country Distance Running Camp
21st annual Stowe Summer Sports Festival
All of us at the Round Hearth and Stowe Summer Sports Festival, are proud and excited to have Mr. Matt Belfield return at the helm of Camp Director for our 21st annual Cross-Country Distance Running Camp! In addition to our camp, Matt has just finished up his sixth season at the helm of the University of Vermont men's and women's cross country 2008-2009 program. He is also the head men's and women's track and field coach at Vermont.
Last season, under Belfield's direction, the track and field teams sent its largest contingent of competitors to the NCAA East Regional meet in the history of the program. For the first time in school history the Catamounts were represented on the men's side at the NCAA's.
Sprinter Aaron Campbell won the men's 100m at the America East Outdoor Track and Field Championships, becoming the first UVM sprinter to win the race in the history of the program. He was also a member of Vermont's championship 4x100 relay team at the conference meet, again, another first for the Catamounts. With the America East victories came an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Meet.
Overall in 2007-08, seven records were broken and 41 student-athletes qualified for the New England Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
Under Belfield's guidance, UVM student-athletes on the cross country and track and field teams have garnered 81 America East All-Academic citations. In 2006-07, the Catamounts won the America East Academic Cup for the third straight year and fourth time overall in the 12-year history of the award. The women's indoor track and field (3.26) led all squads in America East in that sport. The Vermont women's cross country team posted a 3.52 team GPA the highest of any of the 175 conference teams in America East and the Vermont men's track and field team was the America East leader in that sport with a team GPA of 3.05 in 2004-05.
Belfield came to UVM from Ithaca College, where he was a five-time New York State Collegiate Track Conference (NYSCTC) Coach of the Year and led the Bombers to three straight conference outdoor track and field titles. During his three-year head coaching tenure at Ithaca, Belfield's student-athletes broke 14 school records and recorded 11 All-America performances.
Prior to arriving at Ithaca, Belfield was head coach of the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams at the University of the Redlands in Redlands, California. At Redlands, Belfield coached a national champion hammer-thrower and a two-time national champion high jumper.
Belfield served as an assistant track and field coach at Redlands for three years prior to being named head coach in June of 1995. He has also worked on the coaching staffs at Colgate University and Catholic University.
A graduate of Catholic University, Belfield was a six-time all-conference high jumper during his undergraduate career. He earned his master's degree in education, with an emphasis in counseling, from Redlands in 1994.
As Camp Director of our Cross-Country Distance Running Camp, there is no doubt that our young athletes will have something to gain from Coach Belfield's experience and background. He has truly proven to be an asset to our camps, and we are flattered to have the opportunity to work with him again.
