Name change in store for Revitalizing Waterbury; annual meeting honors Katya d’Angelo
April 16, 2026 | By Sarah Andrews
Revitalizing Waterbury Executive Director Roger Clapp holds up a mock-up for the group's proposed future new name, Discover Waterbury, at its annual meeting last week. With him are staffer Ariel Mondlak and board president Lindsey Sullivan. Photo by Jenna Danyew
A name change is coming soon for Waterbury’s community and economic development organization as Revitalizing Waterbury members were asked at last week’s annual meeting to vote on becoming “Discover Waterbury.”
Revitalizing Waterbury held its annual meeting at The Old Stagecoach Inn on April 7 with several dozen community leaders, business owners and patrons gathered to acknowledge RW’s work over the past year and look ahead at initiatives planned for 2026.
The name announcement was the biggest surprise of the night, coming at the end of the meeting. The new name choice reflects the work already done to “revitalize” Waterbury and leans into the theme of the organization’s tourism efforts already using the “Discover Waterbury” banner.
RW was founded in 1991 with the rehabilitation of the Stimson and Graves building on Stowe Street as its first project. The restoration of the historic Waterbury Train Station, which RW owns today, followed and was completed in 2006.
In the two decades since, the organization has been involved in multiple efforts to invigorate the downtown environment especially, with work to establish multiple public art installations and create annual seasonal events to promote the arts, local shops, restaurants and businesses, and more.
In considering the organization’s name, RW president Lindsay Sullivan said board members agreed that they are “tired of being asked, ‘isn’t Waterbury already revitalized?’”
Sullivan said the new name aims to engage the local community and tourists alike. “We see our role in the town as being a convener of community, and we continue to find new ways that we can create pockets for discovery around town,” Sullivan said.
Executive Director Roger Clapp on Wednesday said the vote at last week’s meeting was nearly unanimous, with just one “maybe” among 46 votes cast. “I think it’s safe to say that we're working on a soft rollout that for some may appear to be a seamless transition with RW logos dissolving into DW logos before our very eyes,” he said, explaining that the transition will require work across the organization’s various online platforms and materials.
Katya d'Angelo (center), recipient of this year's Kathy O'Dell Award with Revitalizing Waterbury board members Carolyn Fox (left) and Lindsey Sullivan (right). Photo by Jenna Danyew
O’Dell Award
The annual meeting is also when Revitalizing Waterbury presents its community service award. Bridgeside Books owner, Katya d’Angelo, was the chosen recipient of the 20th annual Kathy O’Dell Award. The honor is named for RW’s lead organizer and founder, who passed away in 2005.
In addition to running her small business, d’Angelo is a community volunteer and a dedicated supporter and former board member of Revitalizing Waterbury. In presenting the award, board member Carolyn Fox remarked that d’Angelo “brings an unmistakable spark to every occasion.”
Economic development director
Among the changes to the organization announced at the meeting was the recent hire of a new economic development director, Gretchen Schissel. Schissel came to Vermont from Newport, New Hampshire, to get a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Vermont.
After she graduates in May, Schissel is looking forward to getting started at RW. “I’m excited to get to know the community and support their vision for the town, while maintaining and expanding on the vibrant economic ecosystem that already exists here,” Schissel said.
RW members present at the meeting also voted on officers for the board of directors for the coming year. They re-elected Sullivan as president, Matt Larson as vice president, Otho Thompson as secretary, and Colin Pomer as treasurer.
New initiatives
In a series of presentations, RW board members shared a list of community-focused initiatives on tap for the coming year.
They each match up with RW’s themes: Historic Waterbury, Vibrant Downtown, Waterbury United, Community Resiliency, Taste of Waterbury, Recreation, and Clean Technology.
Efforts across all of these areas include ongoing projects and multiple specific events, including:
A new lighting project at the Waterbury Train Station
A Waterbury Trails Summit, 7-9 p.m. April 30, in the Steele Community Room, organized with the Waterbury Recreation Committee, will bring together representatives of some 30 organizations to discuss a variety of non-motorized trail initiatives. RW has invited the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program staff to introduce their project looking at ways to include recreation planning with flood mitigation work along the Winooski River.
Train Day on June 27 to coincide with Not Quite Independence Day festivities
Waterbury Arts Fest, scheduled for July 10-11, with the Friday night dance party featuring live music from the Sara Whitehair Band and Full Cleveland, and Saturday’s arts festival with over 100 artists, craft vendors, food trucks and more live entertainment.
Summer Music in the Alley concerts in Jack’s Alley with TURNmusic.
A new live music event at Cold Hollow Cider Mill on Aug. 7 in conjunction with the annual Antique & Classic Car Show in Waterbury.
Food additions to the Thursday night summer concerts in the park hosted by Waterbury Rotary
A Workforce Housing Survey to gather data from local employers on the need for housing for their current and future staffing.
Other work includes building volunteer capacity in the community through efforts like the recent Volunteer Fair in late March.
RW also is interested in the Better Connections project in Waterbury Center to improve pedestrian and bicycle routes in the “triangle” area near the Waterbury Grange Hall and Hope Davey Park.