James “Jake” G. Wheeler, Jr., was recently named chair of the board of directors of the Vermont Community Foundation. Wheeler was elected to the board in 2009 and has served as vice chair for the last two years. The Vermont Community Foundation Board of Directors is elected by the Foundation’s 150 members. “We’re thrilled to have Jake serve as board chair,” says Community Foundation President & CEO Dan Smith. “Throughout his years of service on the Foundation’s board, his insight and passion for Vermont have been deeply valuable. Jake’s leadership will help the Foundation and the board maintain strong momentum as we move forward together.”
Wheeler has practiced law with Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC since 1974 and has been a member of the firm since 1978. His practice focuses principally in the areas of corporate governance, transactions, and financing; complex real estate acquisitions and financing; and trusts and estates. He graduated from Harvard University in 1970 and Boston University School of Law in 1974. He is a member of the Caledonia County Bar Association, the Vermont Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
Wheeler’s community involvement includes serving as a member of the Board of Managers of Community Financial Services, LLC; a director of Community National Bank and of Community Bancorp; a trustee of the Michael Anagnos School and Foundation; a fellow and past board chair of the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium; and a member of Trout Unlimited and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He is a past board chair of Burke Mountain Academy and of the Riverside School and was a founding director of Kingdom Trails Association.