BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) has hired Brian C. Lent to direct the health system's project to repurpose the former Southern Vermont College (SVC) campus.

 

"Brian was selected for his long experience managing complex projects," said Thomas A. Dee, FACHE, SVHC's president and CEO. "We feel he has the skills and background necessary to drive our efforts with this large and exciting effort and to fulfill our aim to restore the campus as a valuable community asset."  

 

SVHC was awarded the former college campus through a bankruptcy auction in December. The leadership of the health system, through the direction of its Board of Directors, has expressed its commitment to developing a long-range plan to maximize the use of the campus, including considerations as to how the property could enhance community and health-related services for the southern Vermont region.

 

Lent has 34 years of management experience. Most recently, he worked as vice president and general manager of Dailey Precast, LLC/Peckham Industries, Inc. in Shaftsbury, Vt. Within this role, he was responsible for all plant and field operations, sales, estimating, engineering, quality, procurement, safety, and human resources.

 

"Brian is a long-time member of the community and already has connections with many of the people he will be cooperating with," said Dee. "These relationships and his familiarity with the regulatory environment give him a head start on this important work."

 

Notably, Lent earned his bachelor's of science in Business Management and an associate's degree in accounting from Southern Vermont College. He also graduated from the General Motors Assembly Division Supervisor Training Program.

 

"This is an exciting opportunity for me," Lent said. "The work will require me to use my management experience in an entirely new way. Of course, from a personal perspective as a long-time member of the community, I am eager to see the campus put to good use."

 

Lent will begin working with local stakeholders, including the Town of Bennington, to explore opportunities and develop strategies for the former college campus and associated assets.