Lake Champlain Chamber Hires Communications and Downtown Staff
The Chamber added Rebecca Ford as communications director and Matt Crawford as downtown advocacy manager.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
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The Lake Champlain Chamber has hired Rebecca Ford as Director of Strategic Communications & Public Relations and Matt Crawford as Downtown Advocacy Manager. Both are newly created positions announced on November 4, 2026.
Why it matters
Ford will lead integrated communications for the Chamber and its tourism division, Hello Burlington. Crawford's role supports the recently launched Downtown Business Alliance in Burlington.
Ford brings more than a decade of experience in strategic communications and destination marketing, including prior roles at Visit Alexandria, Destination DC and Ketchum. The announcement does not disclose salaries or budget figures for either new position.
The players
Lake Champlain Chamber
The Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce is a regional business association based in Burlington, Vermont, that also operates the tourism division Hello Burlington.
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford is a communications professional with prior public relations leadership roles in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia.
Matt Crawford
Matt Crawford is a Vermont native and former local government select board member who previously served in community leadership in the Burlington area.
The details
Ford formerly went by the surname Doser and previously led PR strategy at Karsh Hagan Madden. Crawford, a Vermont native and St. Albans graduate of the University of Colorado, previously served as a select board member and is active in the Winooski community with his wife.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: Lake Champlain Chamber announces both hires.
Market Landscape
The hires strengthen the Lake Champlain Chamber's communications and downtown advocacy capacity through Hello Burlington. The additions focus on coordinating messaging and supporting the recently launched Downtown Business Alliance.
Residents and businesses in Burlington may see more coordinated Chamber communications and downtown advocacy as these roles take shape. The announcement does not indicate changes to pricing, membership, or services.
The takeaway
Organizations expanding communications and downtown roles often signal a push to coordinate local business voices. Watch for how the Downtown Business Alliance develops under this added staffing.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage in Burlington business news.
More information
Visit the Lake Champlain Chamber website for more about the organization.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vermont Business Magazine.
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