// Business Connections // DECEMBER 2025 1 DECEMBER 2025 • VOLUME 15 • I S SUE 1 Let Our Team Give Your Team More Phone Flexibility 3 Spotlight: Aegis Renewable Energy 4 // Upgrade Your PCs to Windows 11 6 WCVT in the Community 7 BUS I NESS connections www.wcvt.com Solar Solutions from Aegis Renewable Energy
2 DECEMBER 2025 connections BUSINESS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER We’re focused on service upgrades and upward progress. As we finish out 2025 and look forward to 2026, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT) believes things are looking up for our local business communities. There’s so much we can achieve together! For starters, you can Let Our Team Give Your Team More Phone Flexibility, which is the topic of page 3. WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service makes an excellent upgrade for an outdated phone system and provides all the tools and flexibility necessary for remote workers to function as a fully integrated part of your team. On pages 4 and 5, you’ll find a Business Spotlight on Aegis Renewable Energy, a Vermont-based solar installer for commercial, design-build energy projects. This company demonstrates that for upward progress, we need to look up—meaning we need to utilize the power of the sun. Aegis also believes in other technology upgrades, including a move to WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service. Tech Talk With Richard Pitonyak appears on page 6. Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which means there will be no more free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for Windows 10. This is a call to action to transition to Windows 11 if you haven’t made this upgrade already. We wrap up this issue on page 7 with WCVT in the Community. In it, we showcase some recent examples of how we’re showing up, giving back, and making a difference. Whatever your business has planned for 2026, WCVT is ready to help. Let me be the first to wish you a happy holiday season and successful new year. Sincerely, Eric Haskin President & CEO Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom OFFICE LOCATIONS: Waitsfield Business Office 3898 Main Street, Waitsfield Hinesburg Branch Office 14 Thorn Bush Rd, Hinesburg BUSINESS HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Lobby closes at 4:30.) BUSINESS TEAM: Kris Merchant, Sales Manager 802-496-8554, kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com Kurt Gruendling V.P. Marketing and Business Development 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com Business Connections is a publication of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. All rights are reserved. Editorial and Circulation Contact: Kurt Gruendling, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, PO Box 9, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802-496-8305, kgruendling@corp.wcvt.com All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Additional issues are available on a limited basis while supplies last. Please contact Kurt Gruendling. Copyright© 2025 by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. Postmaster send changes to: Lorraine Keener Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom PO Box 9 Waitsfield, VT 05673
// Business Connections // DECEMBER 2025 3 Let Our Team Give Your Team More Phone Flexibility The workforce has changed significantly in recent years, and increased flexibility through remote or hybrid models has become the norm. According to Gallup, 28% of jobs are exclusively remote, 51% are hybrid, and 21% are exclusively on-site.1 What’s more, when a candidate is deciding between job offers with similar compensation, work-from-home opportunities can become the deciding factor. Adapting to Changing Needs Flexibility is key to successful remote work. Your company needs to have a phone system that can adapt to changing needs—such as adding users, sites, and features—without requiring a hardware upgrade. It’s also important for your phone system to have the capability to seamlessly integrate remote workers. With WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service, your remote workforce will have all the tools and flexibility necessary to function as a fully integrated part of your team. Employees can easily connect to your company’s Hosted IP Phone Service over their home broadband connection and enjoy the same office features they could access at your company location. These features include: • Remote Worker Support • Voice Mail to Email Integration • Conference Bridge Services • Wi-Fi Calling Helping Your Business Work Better Our Hosted IP Phone Service makes sense for businesses of all sizes, from a small “mom and pop” shop all the way up to a large enterprise. You’ll have low, predictable costs since WCVT maintains and enhances the service for you, and you’ll avoid surprise expenses for equipment maintenance, upgrades, or replacement. What’s more, when your business uses one of WCVT’s Hosted IP products—such as Hosted IP Phone Service—you benefit from our expert team (pictured above) that’s behind the advanced technology. They’re responsible for the coordination of project resources in support of our Hosted IP products and wiring installations, and they plan all aspects of complex projects from inception to conclusion. This helps to provide excellent customer service by building productive working relationships with WCVT’s customers, suppliers, contractors, and vendors. Have questions or need support for your Hosted IP Phone Service? Email the team at HPBX@corp.wcvt.com or call 802-496-8309. 1www/gallup.com/401384/indicator-hybrid-work.aspx (L to R) Kevin Davis, Business Systems Specialist II; Dan Fuller, Business Systems Supervisor; Trevor Gaylord, Business Systems Specialist II; Nick Sterner, Business Systems Specialist II; Jada Munro, Business Systems Administrator; and Kris Merchant, Sales Manager
4 DECEMBER 2025 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Headquartered in Waitsfield, Aegis Renewable Energy is a Vermont-based solar installer and trusted partner for commercial, design-build energy projects throughout New England. Powerful Services Aegis provides a complete range of services for the development, installation, and sale of commercial solar and community-scale solar energy systems. These services encompass every step from feasibility and site analysis to Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPC) to final commissioning and maintenance. Since its founding in 2011, Aegis has designed and installed 50+ solar energy systems totaling over 48 megawatts. This installed capacity consists entirely of ground-mounted and rooftop commercial solar projects, ranging in size from 150 kW up to 7MW. Aegis was a powerful shield of Zeus, the king of the gods. It was also used by Apollo, god of the sun as well as Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Nils Behn, CEO of Aegis Renewable Energy, chose the name because he values the sun and protection of the planet’s resources. He said, “Renewable Energy is what we do … the center part of our logo represents the Sun, without it we would not exist. We enable our customers, with the tools we provide, to harvest the clean and renewable power of the Sun.” Every solar panel installed by Aegis means that 50 lightbulbs can be turned on without dependence on the fossil fuels responsible for the rapid destabilization of our planet’s climate. Every solar panel also means parents are actively working toward a future they can be proud to hand over to their children. A Beneficial Phone Update To work efficiently, the Aegis team needs reliable phone communication. That’s why Aegis replaced an outdated system with Hosted IP Phone Service from WCVT. Vice President Sonia Behn said, “Our team often works in many different locations, whether that be in the office, out in the field Aegis Renewable Energy Acting in the best interests of customers and our planet
// Business Connections // DECEMBER 2025 5 servicing solar arrays, or at home. Hosted IP Phone Service allows us to stay connected from anywhere. It also allows our customers and partners to get in contact with our team—even if they’re not in the office—through the use of the Max UC app, which helps boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.” She shared these notes on the features of Hosted IP Phone Service that have been particularly beneficial to Aegis: • Auto Attendant – “This has been a helpful guide for our customers and vendors that allows them to reach the correct departments with efficiency.” • Max UC app – “We can get calls anywhere—whether in the office, at home, or in the field. Traditionally, if someone was not in the office, we would take a message but not give out their personal number.” • WCVT portal – “Our availability can be modified with ease. If out of the office, we can quickly update the phone system and have calls forwarded to others in the company.” • Voicemails – “These now go directly to our inbox. With our old phone system, we’d have to be in the office to receive voicemails.” Before the switch to Hosted IP Phone Service, the Aegis team shared their mobile phone numbers with customers, vendors, and subcontractors. Now they’re able to separate business vs personal phones, creating a better work/life balance. Hosted IP Phone Service also reinforces the Aegis brand identity by clearly displaying company information on outgoing calls, rather than an anonymous number. Partnering With a Local Company What does Aegis appreciate most about WCVT? Sonia Behn replied, “It’s been a great opportunity to collaborate with a local company for our phone and internet needs. When we were exploring options for a new phone system, there were several cloud-based communication platforms available. However, the ‘human touch’ that WCVT provides was key to our decision. Partnering with a nearby business means we receive not only reliable connectivity, but also personalized support from a team that understands our community and our needs. We truly value WCVT’s commitment to excellence and their dedication to supporting the success of other local businesses.” Our team often works in many different locations, whether that be in the office, out in the field servicing solar arrays, or at home. Hosted IP Phone Service allows us to stay connected from anywhere.” — SONIA BEHN, VICE PRESIDENT, AEGIS RENEWABLE ENERGY AN EASY TRANSITION TO HOSTED IP PHONE SERVICE Sometimes businesses are hesitant to make a change in their phone service because they’re concerned about possible disruptions to work. That’s why WCVT does everything possible to make it a seamless transition. Sonia Behn, Vice President of Aegis Renewable Energy, said, “Our experience with WCVT has been exceptional, and we've had the pleasure of working closely with Kris Merchant, Jada Munro, and Trevor Gaylord.” She continued, “WCVT has been very attentive throughout the process of our transition to the Hosted IP Phone Service. They’ve worked around our schedule in order to ensure that they aren’t affecting our normal business operations. The WCVT team answers calls and emails quickly, providing support and solutions. It’s very clear that WCVT genuinely wants what’s best for our business. They were able to tailor the Hosted IP Phone Service specifically to our needs and continue to do so as we settle into the new system.”
6 DECEMBER 2025 Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which means there will be no more free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support for Windows 10. For your business, this “end of life” (EOL) date is a call to action to transition to Windows 11 if you haven’t done so already. Running an operating system after its support expires can leave your business increasingly vulnerable in ways including these: • Security Risks – Without regular security patches, any new vulnerabilities discovered in Windows 10 will remain unpatched. An unsupported system becomes a prime target for cybercriminals and exposes your business to malware, ransomware, and data breaches. • Compliance Concerns – Many industries (finance, healthcare, etc.) have regulations requiring up-to-date, supported software. Running an EOL operating system could put you out of compliance with data protection standards, leading to fines or legal issues. • Software and Hardware Compatibility – After Windows 10’s lifespan, new applications and hardware devices will be built for Windows 11 (and beyond). You may find that new software releases won’t install on Windows 10, or new printers and peripherals lack Windows 10 drivers. • Reduced Performance and Productivity – As technology marches on, Windows 10 will miss out on optimizations and improvements present in newer systems. Meanwhile, Windows 11 (and its successors) will be tuned for modern hardware and workflows. Clinging to an old OS could mean slower systems and lost efficiency, putting you at a competitive disadvantage. If you’ve been dragging your feet on transitioning to Windows 11, this will be reassuring: For most users, transitioning to Windows 11 will feel quite familiar. The shift fromWindows 10 to Windows 11 is far less dramatic than the change we experienced moving fromWindows 7 to Windows 10. What’s more, Microsoft is offering Windows 11 as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users whose computers meet the requirements. Tech Talk with Richard Pitonyak Upgrade your PCs to Windows 11 As Tech Support Supervisor for WCVT, Richard Pitonyak always strives to share content that would be helpful to our business customers. This issue’s topic is the transition to Windows 11.
// Business Connections // DECEMBER 2025 7 Being a local business means that our customers are also our neighbors and friends. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom feels strongly that community involvement isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s the right thing to do. WCVT in the Community We’re Proud to Be Part of Local Events At WCVT, we’re always grateful for the chance to spend time in our communities—catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. This fall, we had a great time at the Bristol Harvest Festival, Vermont Biz2Biz Expo, and Vermont Tech Jam at Hulu. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello! WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES When you buy local (and dine local, play local, and give local), everyone benefits. It improves our local economy, creates more local jobs and opportunities, and retains the unique character of our local communities. Please support these newcomers. Main Street Stationer 21 Main Street, Bristol 802-453-2229 www.mainstreetstationervt.com Our House Preschool 433 Dorse Street, Charlotte 802-425-4375 www.ourhousevt.com Is There a High School Senior in Your Family? WCVT is proud to partner with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) in the 2026 College Scholarship Program. Each year, FRS awards scholarships to outstanding rural students pursuing college or vocational school —empowering them to bring valuable skills back to their communities. Since its inception, FRS has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to help rural students nationwide achieve their educational goals. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who are active WCVT customers (or whose parents/ guardians are) and live full-time in our service area. The application deadline is February 14, 2026. Apply online at www.frs.org or contact Lorraine Keener at 802-496-8379 or lkeener@corp.wcvt.com for more information. WCVT Expands Vermont Fiber Network with Acquisition of Tilson’s Boundless Broadband WCVT has acquired Tilson’s Boundless Broadband Vermont fiber network, which serves customers in parts of Danville, Lunenburg, and Saint Johnsbury. This acquisition supports WCVT’s ongoing mission to provide reliable, locally supported internet service to more Vermonters. “We’re excited to welcome these new communities and customers into our network,” said Eric Haskin, President and CEO of WCVT. “As a local Vermont company, we understand the unique needs of our neighbors. Opportunities like this don’t come along often, and we’re thrilled to expand our reach. The network Tilson built aligns seamlessly with our existing infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition and continued high-quality service for our new and existing customers.” WCVT looks forward to strengthening connections across Vermont and continuing to deliver the dependable, community, focused service Vermonters count on.
Meet Our Business Sales Team WCVT is committed to moving your business forward with a comprehensive line of communications solutions. Our Business Sales Team is ready to discuss your needs and recommend the right combination of services to help increase efficiency and productivity. Call 802-496-3391 to learn more. Kris Merchant Sales Manager kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8554 Dan Fuller Business Systems Supervisor dfuller@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8590 Jada Munro Business Systems Administrator jmunro@corp.wcvt.com 802-496-8302
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