Each submission will be reviewed and judged based on such criteria as: likelihood of success, potential for job creation, impact on the local economy, leadership quality, and financial clarity.

The 2008 judging panel consisted of the following 10 community members:

Third year of participation:

• Phil Steckler, vice president, director and affiliate manager of Country Business, Inc., in Brattleboro
• Dwight Williams, corporate banking officer at Key Bank in Brattleboro
• Dart Everett, owner and president of Everett Real Estate Services in Brattleboro
• Ed Kunttu, corporate banking officer at Brattleboro Savings & Loan

Second year:

• Cheryl Bedard, vice president at Vermont Circuits in Brattleboro
• Marjorie Sayer, a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and a newly retired entrepreneur.

First year:

• Debbie Boyle, Chittenden Bank
• Jill Zachery, ROV Technologies
• Kevin Meyer, Mary Meyer Toys
• Ralph Meima, Marlboro College MBA program

Note: The decisions of the judging panel are final.