MIDDLEBURY — The Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) has announced the addition of two new staff members: Project and Grant Manager Dana Hanley and Office Manager Barbara Richardson.

Dana Hanley is a community development professional and former Community Development Director for the Town of Essex, Vt. Her background also includes administering Act 250, the state land use law, for the Vermont Natural Resources Board in Addison and Chittenden Counties, as well as serving as the Planning and Zoning Director for the Town of Shelburne, Vt.

Hanley is a past president of the Vermont Planners Association, has served on the Vermont Land Trust board, and is currently on the board of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. In 2009, she was named Outstanding Professional Planner by the Vermont Planners Association and the 2009 Professional Planner by the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Barbara Richardson is a past Executive Administrative Assistant of the Rutland Housing Authority and Office Manager for the Northeast Organic Farming Association. She has served as an editor and grants coordinator at the National Gardening Association and spent nine years in various roles at Gardener’s Supply Company.

Richardson is a past board member of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, now known as Hunger Free Vermont.

“ACEDC and Addison County will benefit from Dana and Barbara’s experience and expertise,” said Fred Kenney, ACEDC Executive Director. “Our new staff structure will allow us to better serve the region to advance economic and community development.”