VGS’s entire team is committed to offering customers safe, affordable, and reliable thermal energy service. Details about VGS’s leadership team follows, alphabetized by last name:
Grace Amao is the Vice President of Customer & Energy Services at VGS. Her previous positions include Director of Operations for Nedde Real Estate, Senior Manager for Facility Operations at Cox Automotive, and as an Assistant Director at the City of Burlington’s Community and Economic Development Office. She currently serves on the boards of the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and Burlington City Arts Foundation, previously having served as a Planning Commissioner in the town of Hinesburg, VT. Grace earned her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College, and attended the University of London, as well as the University of Vermont’s Master of Social Work program.
Richard Donnelly is the Director for Energy Innovation at VGS, overseeing the creation of a new product portfolio focused on decarbonization and efficiency. Richard is leading the company’s efforts in developing in-home services such as hybrid heating and utility-scale geothermal. Prior to joining VGS, Richard served in management roles focused on strategic planning for Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, as an economic development official for the City of Burlington, and as Marketing Director for a fiber-optic telecommunications network. In a past life, Richard also served as a chef in various NYC restaurants.
Adam Gero is the Director of Engineering & System Integrity at VGS. He started as an Engineering Intern at the company in 2009 and has since worked his way through the ranks, showcasing his dedication and expertise. With a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont and an ongoing pursuit of an MBA from Champlain College, Adam remains committed to continuous learning. Additionally, he holds a certification as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Vermont.
Dylan Giambatista is the Director of Public Affairs at VGS. He has extensive experience in community relations, having previously served two terms as a citizen lawmaker, representing Essex Junction in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021. Prior to serving in public office, Giambatista was Director of Outreach & Financial Literacy for the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office and Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Vermont House. He is an active community volunteer and chairs the Essex Junction Board of Civil Authority. Giambatista is a graduate of the Community College of Vermont and NVU-Johnson.
Eric Hillmuth is the Director of Technology at VGS. Eric has been with VGS since 2013 in various technology roles. Prior to working for VGS Eric worked in technology at the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation and the State of Vermont. Eric holds a B.A. from the University of British Columbia and an MS in Managing Information Technology from Champlain College.
Christopher LeForce is the VP of Operations at VGS. Chris has been with VGS since 1999, when he started a college internship with the engineering team. In 2001, he began his fulltime career at VGS as an associate engineer and has held multiple roles on the engineering team, including manager. Beginning in 2020, Chris managed operations. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont, holds an Vermont Engineering Intern Certificate, and has his Registered Gas Distribution Professional Certification from the Gas Technology Institute.
Neale F. Lunderville is the President & CEO of VGS. He previously served as General Manager of the Burlington Electric Department, and, prior to that, as Co-Founder and CEO of NG Advantage LLC. In 2011, he was appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin to lead Vermont’s recovery efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. Neale also served in two top cabinet posts for Governor Jim Douglas: Secretary of Administration and Secretary of Transportation. Neale serves as a director on several Vermont and regional boards and is an Honorary Commander for the Vermont Air National Guard. He graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. and was given their 2012 Alumni Achievement award.
Andrea McNeil is the VP of Finance and Strategy at VGS. Andrea has been with VGS since 2016 with the exception of an employment at Burlington Electric Department where she had the opportunity to serve as the Director of Finance. Andrea retuned to VGS in February 2021. Prior to VGS, Andrea worked in Public Accounting for KPMG, LLP where she provided audit and advisory services for various companies with a concentration in the utility industry. Andrea earned her B.A from SUNY Plattsburgh and her MBA from Marist College. Andrea is a Certified Public Accountant in Vermont.
Gregory E. Morse is Director of Policy and Planning for VGS. Prior to joining VGS in 2021 he served as Sr. Director of Product Management at NG Advantage LLC, with oversight for commercial activities, risk management and commodity trading. Previous roles include portfolio management for power supply and renewables at the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) and product control for energy trading at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Greg is a graduate of Wagner College and a member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals, from which he holds an Energy Risk Professional certification. He sits on the board of Burlington’s Community Sailing Center and is an active sailor on Lake Champlain.
Thomas Murray is the Vice President of Decarbonization Technology at VGS, overseeing the company’s efforts to achieve NetZero emissions by 2050. Tom is leading the company’s innovation initiatives. Tom serves on the American Gas Association’s Sustainability Committee (past Chairman) and on the Board for the American Biogas Council, where he is driving the national effort to incorporate RNG into the supply portfolio of the nation’s gas utilities. Prior to joining VGS, Tom was the state of Vermont’s Chief Information Officer and also served as the state’s Deputy Commissioner of the Economic Development. Tom worked in the telecommunications industry for over fifteen years with TDS Telecom and Rural Cellular Corporation. Tom grew up in Montpelier, VT, graduated from Western New England University (BS/BA) and Champlain College (MS).
Jill M. Pfenning is the Vice President of Regulatory and General Counsel for VGS. Prior to VGS, Jill served as in-house counsel to various start-up and fast-growing companies in the energy, education, and technology industries. Prior to that, Jill was a litigator at a Washington, D.C.-based law firm after clerking for Hon. Peter W. Hall on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Jill serves on various boards, including the Board of Trustees of the Vermont Law & Graduate School. She earned her J.D. from Vermont Law School and her B.A. from Wesleyan University.
Amanda Zay is the Senior Director of People and Safety at VGS, where she works with a team of talented and skilled individuals to make VGS a safe and great place to work. Amanda has worked in the human resources field for almost 20 years with a focus on culture, recruitment, employee and union relations, organizational development, and strategic planning. Prior to VGS, Amanda worked for Vermont Electric Cooperative for over twelve years. She enjoys working in the energy utility sector and was attracted to VGS because of the innovative nature of our work. Amanda earned her B.S. Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and is a certified HR professional (PHR). She lives in Johnson with her husband and two children.