Peter Tucker, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy;
VT Association of Realtors
Peter Tucker is a leading voice in Vermont’s real estate and housing policy, known for his clear analysis, collaborative leadership, and commitment to strengthening communities statewide. As a senior leader with the Vermont Association of REALTORS, he helps shape statewide housing conversations, guides REALTORS® through complex regulatory environments, and advances professional standards across the industry.
With deep expertise in government relations, public policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, Peter ensures that real estate professionals have the tools and insight they need to serve Vermont’s communities effectively. Before joining VAR, he served as Managing Broker at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty, where he strengthened his strategic leadership and team development experience.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Peter is based in the Greater Burlington area and is widely recognized for bringing clarity, balance, and practical insight to Vermont’s most pressing housing issues.
Chris Rice, Founding Partner & President;
MMR LLC
As a founding partner of MMR, Chris represents clients before the Vermont General Assembly, state agencies, and Vermont courts. His work spans insurance regulation, tax policy, telecommunications, and emerging technology issues. Known for his preparation, candor, and relentless advocacy, Chris frequently leads successful public engagement and coalition‑building campaigns. He has guided numerous clients through complex regulatory matters before the Department of Financial Regulation.
Before co‑founding MMR, Chris was a partner at Wilson & White, P.C., and Smith & Rice, P.C., and he managed the first successful campaign of Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine. Chris earned his B.A. from Purdue University and his J.D. and M.S.L. in Environmental Law (magna cum laude) from Vermont Law School.
Active in his community, Chris has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Central Vermont Humane Society and the New Hampshire/Vermont chapter of the American Red Cross. He lives in Berlin, Vermont, with his wife Miriam and their five children. Outside of work, he enjoys Vermont’s marshes and waterways—often found duck hunting, fishing, or boating with his family.
Chad Simmons, Executive Director;
Housing and Homeless Alliance of VT
Chad stepped in to the Executive Director role of HHAV in January of this year. HHAV is a relatively new organization after the merger of two long-standing housing and homelessness organizations in 2023. HHAV believes in building a Vermont where the fundamental right to housing is enjoyed by all. Chad brings to this work 25 years of advocacy, strategic planning and community organizing experience. Most recently, he spent five years with the VT Housing Finance Agency supporting their state, federal, and engagement efforts. Prior to that, Chad spent 15 years as a community organizer and advocate in Windham County working on numerous, but inter-connected issues ranging from early childhood, environmental justice, and community health. Chad lives in Montpelier with his partner Carrie, daughter Ember and forever puppy Coco.
Miro Weinberger, Executive Chair;
Let's Build Homes
Miro Weinberger served as Mayor of Burlington, VT from 2012 to 2024, dramatically expanding housing production, guiding the city through a major financial turnaround, building hundreds of millions of dollars of public infrastructure, and launching an electrification initiative that reduced community emissions nearly 20 percent.
Miro is a co-founder and Executive Chair of Let’s Build Homes, an advocacy organization working to address Vermont’s housing shortage. He recently served as a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government, is the Leahy Scholar in Residence at UVM’s Honors College, and a Strategic Advisor to Cyvl.
Kevin Chu, Executive Director;
Vermont Futures Project
Kevin Chu grew up in Vermont and wants to grow old here too. He is the son of immigrants. A graduate of Middlebury College, he studied the environment and education while also competing in track and field. Prior to joining the Vermont Futures Project, Kevin worked at the University of Vermont, where he led efforts in recruiting for diversity, academic advising, communications, community engagement and economic development, and strategic planning. He is now the Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project, a nonpartisan organization answering the mission question: “How can we use data to support the evolution of Vermont’s economy towards a thriving future with opportunity for all?” This work has taken Kevin all over the state to develop an Economic Action Plan, helping to put Vermont on a path towards affordability and abundance.
Kevin gives back as an assistant track & field coach at Middlebury College, and through board service for the University of Vermont Medical Center, Champlain College, and the State of Vermont Community Investment Board. He was named the Distinguished Citizen by Champlain College and an 802 Diplomat by the Vermont Council on World Affairs in 2023. Vermont Business Magazine selected Kevin as a 2025 Rising Star and part of the inaugural list of 91 Influencers.
DON'T MISS OUT!
3/18/26
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
|
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!!
|
|
|
