Susan Scannell Gilbert
Robert Gilbert
Jeannie Hebert
Susan Scannell Gilbert, Co-Founder, President
Susan Scannell Gilbert attended the University of New Hampshire as a Musical Theater major she then began a career as a model with the Eileen Ford Modeling Agency in New York City. Her first booking led to the cover of Seventeen Magazine. A few years later, Ms. Scannell Gilbert became a “soap veteran” landing contract roles on Search For Tomorrow, Ryan’s Hope and appearances on One Life to Live and All My Children. Daytime soaps led to a contract role on the prime time hit, Dynasty, and guest roles on episodes of The A-Team and Remington Steele. Returning to Massachusetts in 2006, Susan enjoys acting on local stages and singing. Prior to 2006, Susan was the Founding Executive Director of the Astoria Performing Arts Center in Astoria, NY (www.apacny.org).
Robert Gilbert, Co-Founder, Treasurer
Bob enjoyed a successful career in television sales for Cox Media Group, Fox Television, New England Cable News, ESPN Radio, CBS Radio, Global Trek Productions and Paxon Communications. At Paxon Communications he enjoyed hosting a weekly show for the cable network where he interviewed people from all walks of live throughout the United States.
Jeannie Hebert, Clerk
Jeannie Hebert has been President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce for 15 years. Under her leadership the BVCC has grown and developed into a Chamber that works hard for business and the economic vitality of the region of the Blackstone Valley and the entire state. Often dubbed “the queen of collaboration”, Jeannie sits on several area business and community boards and committees and meets regularly with local, state, and federal legislators to not only work on initiatives that will enhance the Valley’s potential but make sure that the “Valley Voice” is being heard and funding is appropriated to support economic development and small business. Since her reign, the BVCC has become known as the “go to” place and resource for business owners and entrepreneurs to find assistance to grow and develop their business and answers to their questions and concerns. She has been honored by her peers with several awards including, “Central MA Outstanding Woman in Business”, “Power 50”, “Manufacturing Champion” and “Central MA Economic Development Leader.”
Through her guidance, the Chamber created a non-profit agency called the Central Massachusetts Center for Business and Enterprise (CMCBE) that connects business to organizations, state agencies and directors, provides free business counseling, financial analysis, and legal assistance for the small business community. She has been instrumental in securing over one million dollars in grant funding to build the Blackstone Valley Hub for Workforce Development. A work force training school located in the Chamber Linwood Mill building offering classes focusing on advanced manufacturing. These certificate courses in OSHA, MACWIC, NIMS, CAD, Welding, Robotics, Electronics, Shop Math, Blueprint Reading, and more are offered to students of all ages throughout Central MA to help close the work skills gap and provide skilled workers to our region’s employers.