Matt Harrington, Chief Executive Officer of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, was named the 2026 Rising Star Alumni of the Year by Vermont Business Magazine on Wednesday, November 4, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Burlington.
The award honors a former Rising Star who has demonstrated continued professional excellence, leadership, and contributions to Vermont’s economy and communities. Harrington originally received a Rising Star award with the Class of 2017.
Among those previously recognized are Ted Brady, Executive Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns; Michael Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer; Neale Lunderville, former President and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems; and Dan Smith, President and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation.
Matt is the perfect choice for this award,
said Katie Kittell, publisher of VermontBiz Magazine, noting that Harrington has soared and gone above and beyond for Vermont businesses and his community since 2017.
Harrington assumed leadership of the Chamber in 2016, helping reposition the organization into a regional economic and community development enterprise serving 17 communities throughout Bennington County. Under his direction, the Chamber expanded through The Shires of Southwestern Vermont Destination Marketing Organization, Shires Young Professionals, and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation.
Among the regional projects driven by Harrington are GROW Relocation and Retention, Garlic Town, USA, the Women In Leadership Luncheon, the Bennington State Welcome Center, and the Southern Vermont Homebrew Festivals. He helped launch the Southwestern Vermont Chamber Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harrington coordinated a regional response that earned him recognition as an "Unsung Hero" by Vermont News & Media. Outside of his Chamber work, Harrington is an entrepreneur, organizational strategist, leadership consultant, and author.
