William Meckert Appointed President of New England Culinary Institute
The Board of Directors of the New England Culinary Institute announced in December the appointment of G. William Meckert, III, as the college's new president.
Meckert succeeds Fran Voigt, co-founder of the Montpelier, Vt.-based culinary institute. Voigt served as its president for the past 30 years and grew the school from seven students to the 650 who are enrolled in its various programs today. Voigt is the acknowledged visionary for the college, as well as its inspirational and institutional leader, and he will remain its chief executive officer.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have had Bill Meckert as part of NECI leadership for the past two years,” Voigt said. “He understands NECI's unique character and brings tremendous experience, leadership skill and energy to the position. I am pleased to pass the reins into his very capable hands.”
Meckert stated that he is very excited by the opportunity. “When I joined NECI in my financial and legal role, I was focused on challenges at hand and had little appreciation for the true character of the college and its most valuable assets—its faculty and staff. Now, two years later, my perception has changed dramatically. NECI is truly an incredible institution positively impacting many aspects of the Vermont community and those lives it touches. NECI's focus on the individual student and their preparation for real-world success drives our core mission. The opportunities seem endless right now.”
Meckert was a CPA in the Phoenix office of Price Waterhouse before earning his law degree from Stanford University. He then practiced business, tax and real estate law in San Diego. Meckert was as an adjunct professor in the LLM Graduate Tax Program at the University of San Diego. His career as a business entrepreneur began as founding partner of a San Diego group that opened and operated a large Mission Beach restaurant and night club.
In 1993, Meckert and co-founder Peter Edelmann formed EuroWest Properties, Inc., in Vermont to acquire The Inn at Essex. Over the next 15 years, they grew the business operations of EuroWest through expansion of the Inn at Essex resort property, development of the Essex Outlets Shopping Center, and start-up of the Essex Cinemas. During this period, Meckert worked closely with NECI in its role as the food and beverage operator at The Inn at Essex, where NECI operated a second campus. Meckert sold his EuroWest business interests to his partners in 2008.
In early 2009, Meckert joined NECI as its CFO and general counsel. Since that time, he has been a key member of the NECI executive leadership.