Leading us and guiding us.

BVHC’s Board of Directors is comprised of devoted individuals who volunteer their time and energy to provide the Center with ongoing guidance and leadership. The majority of our Board members have been BVHC patients, so their leadership reflects the interests, issues, and concerns of the people we serve. The Board of Directors are vested with ultimate responsibility for the fiduciary management of BVHC, and to ensure that the Center fulfills its mission. Volunteers often work behind the scenes without much recognition. We would like to publicly thank our incredible Board.

James Blanchard, Board Member

James Blanchard

Jamie has served southern Vermont as a member of law enforcement since 2004. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant with the Manchester Police Department and is a member of the Career Development Center’s Law Enforcement Program board. Throughout Jamie’s career, he has worked to establish partnerships to enhance community well-being and looks to continue that work as a member of the BVHC board. He is committed to his family, his work, and his community. Jamie and wife, Cat, have three children and have lived in Arlington since 2009.

Christine Bongartz, Board Member

Christine Bongartz

Chris worked for the Vermont Department of Health for 32 years before joining the Rutland County Supervisory Union in 2016. At the Health Department, she collaborated with a variety of community partners to improve health outcomes throughout Bennington County. As a school nurse, Chris promoted health and wellness, and connected families to community services. Chris was formerly on the board of the Northshire Day School and currently serves on the board of Hunger Free Vermont. Over the years, she has been involved with many organizations throughout Bennington County. Now retired, Chris is excited to be a part of improving health equity as a member of the BVHC board. She and husband, Seth, have one adult son, Reed.


MaryAnn Carlson, Board Member

Mary Ann Carlson

Mary Ann is currently a self-employed psychotherapist and Reiki Master Teacher and practitioner. Previously, she worked as a Clinical Psychologist for children and their families at United Counseling Services for 14 years. Mary Ann volunteers her time to the Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services, the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, and at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center as a Reiki volunteer. She has two children, Amie and Will, and is the proud grandmother to Anna, Sawyer, and Owen.


Brian Cunningham, Board Chair

Brian Cunningham, MD

Dr. Cunningham spent 36 years at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center as an Internist. After retiring in 2014, Dr. Cunningham has kept busy teaching at the Department of Medicine Residence Program at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA. He previously served as a board member of the Bennington Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, as well as the board of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. He and his wife, Janice, have four grown children, Christine, Deborah, Kathryn, and Daniel. They enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren.


Carol A. Gottlieb, Ph.D.

Carol has worked in the world of psychology for more than 30 years. Early on in her career, she spent four years as an instructor at the University of Toledo teaching psychology courses. Since 1995, Carol has been conducting individual, marital, and family psychotherapy through her private practice. In Carol’s free time, she enjoys being with her family, traveling and hiking. Carol and her husband live in Dorset and together have three children, Jesse, Eli, and Cyd.

Peter King

Peter King, MD

Dr. King was the director of the Bennington Veterans Affair (VA) Clinic from 1997-2015. During his time leading the VA, Dr. King oversaw the growth in the Clinic from a small office on a bus to a 25-employee practice. Currently the medical director at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington, Dr. King has a special interest in long-term care and the medical care of older adults. In the past, he has volunteered as a United Way board member and he ran an afterschool music program at Molly Stark School. He and his wife, Dawn Dayton, have two adult children, Heather and Jessica. They thoroughly are enjoying grandparenthood.

Carol Kirkland, Board Member

Carol Kirkland

Carol is a retired instructor from Penn State University where she taught courses in statistics and quantitative business methods. She volunteers at Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester. She has served on the national board of The American Chestnut Foundation, as well as the board for the VT/NH Chapter. She is also a long-time board member of the Trust for Wildlife, a local non-profit that promotes protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat through conservation, research and education. She often travels to New Mexico to visit with her son.


Thomas Lenkowski, Board Member

Thomas Lenkowski

Tom spent the majority of his 44+ year career as a chief financial officer for various health systems in VT, MA, and NH. During that time, he played an integral role in the strategic financial and facilities planning for health systems in preparation for changing technology and industry trends. Tom’s knowledge of the complexities of the health industry and the delivery of health care in a community setting will be invaluable to the BVHC board. Tom’s involvement with other local organizations includes the Bennington Performing Arts Center, the Bennington Rotary Club, and Bennington County Open Arms. Tom and his wife, Sharry, live in Pownal and enjoy traveling to visit their grown children and their families.

Russell Leslie, Board Member

Russell Leslie

Russ is the co-founder and retired associate director of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center. He has authored numerous research reports, books, and articles on lighting, daylighting, architecture, and energy. Russ has been the project architect for over 100 buildings, developed and directed the National Lighting Product Information Program, and has served as a Director of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Russ is Professor Emeritus of architecture at Rensselaer. Along with his wife, Janice, Russ lives in Shaftsbury and has four grown sons.

Jim Martinez, Board Member

James Martinez

Jim began his banking career in 1987, and since 2000, has served as the President of Tri State Area Federal Credit Union overseeing nearly $40MM in assets. Jim has served on the board of Hoosick Falls Health Center and the SVMC Regional Advisory Board which have strengthened his understanding of the issues facing healthcare in rural areas. Jim brings with him a desire to help address and solve the provider shortage in the area and a willingness to dedicate the time necessary to do so. Jim, his wife, and his college-aged daughters live in Hoosick Falls, NY.


Joseph O'Dea, Esq., Board Member

Joseph O’Dea, Esq.

After graduating from Vermont Law School, Joe practiced law in Manchester from 1978 until his retirement in October of 2021. Throughout his career, he provided services from adoptions to estate administration, and during his first twenty years, he did litigation and family law as well. Joe has served on many boards including the Friends of Hildene Board, the Arlington School Board, and the Arlington Nursing Association Board. A highlight was his representation of the Board at United Counseling Services of Bennington, a position he held for over thirty years. Joe found it rewarding to be a part of that team and was consistently amazed at the work UCS did with the marginalized of Bennington County. Joe and his wife, Sandy, have four adult children and eight grandchildren and have called Arlington their home since 1978.


Kimberly Tenner, Board Member

Kimberly Tenner

Kim was a teacher and school administrator for 37 years in Vermont and Texas prior to retiring in 2021. Kim had a passion for literacy, gifted education and mentoring during her career. Since retiring, she has volunteered with many local organizations including Neighbor to Neighbor, where she is also a board member, The Community Food Cupboard, Meals on Wheels and the Medical Reserve Corp. In her free time, Kim enjoys downhill skiing, baking, reading nonfiction and traveling. She lives in Manchester with her husband Art.