Judy Geer - Concept2, Inc.

"I really like what the Vermont Community Loan Fund does—it is vital to Vermonters to have funding resources available, especially for child care," said Judy Geer, co-owner of Concept2, Inc. in Morrisville.

Judy's husband, Dick Dreissigacker, and his brother, Pete, founded Concept2 in 1976. They design and build rowing machines and high-tech oars sold around the world. Now, Concept2 employs 54 employees and the company is considered the worldwide leader in oar technology. In fact, over 60% of the rowing athletes in this summer's Olympic games in China used Concept2 Oars—and it's safe to say that almost every rowing athlete will have done some of his/her training on the Concept2 Indoor Rower.

But Concept2 is more than oars—they value social responsibility as much as they do corporate responsibility. A team of nine people make up Concept2's corporate donations team. Since the mid '90s, Judy and the team have kept the Vermont Community Loan Fund at the top of their radar both as a donor and an investor.

"When we did consider the Loan Fund, from a corporate viewpoint, we liked the fact that we could have input on how we could structure that investment," Judy said. "My husband and I have been personal donors almost since the Fund began, and the company has been an investor since 1996."

The corporate donations team believes that high-quality child care is critically important to families, businesses and the future of Vermont, so they particularly like VCLF's commitment to child care and the business development efforts that are a part of that program. "It is critical that VCLF supports this and provides the crucial technical assistance to help those borrowers know how best to use their loan money."

Judy, a child care and education leader in her community, has served as the chair of the Morrisville School Board for over 10 years. She understands just how important it is that Vermonters find quality child care no matter where they live in the state.

Concept2 supports quite a number of nonprofits, with special emphasis on those in their Central Vermont region. "The Loan Fund is an example of an organization that is important and effective both in our region and throughout the state," said Judy, "and we are pleased to be long-time supporters."