Julie Marks

Founder, Director, & Board President

Born and raised in Hinesburg, Julie has always called Vermont home. After graduating from CVU High School in 2004, Julie moved to Australia to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from James Cook University. She later worked for several years in Seventh Generation’s Research & Development Department, before completing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Health from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2015. Julie returned to Vermont in 2018 to start her own consulting business Healthy Home Assessments, LLC, to help families and expecting parents create a toxic-free home for their growing children. Simultaneously, Julie began fulfilling her dream of homesteading. She became a Certified Master Gardener through the University of Vermont Extension Program in 2020 and has built a self-sustaining homestead in Jericho, VT that now offers two short-term rental accommodations and is home to her, her partner, and their lovable cat, Maiden. She also owns and manages two rental properties in Burlington, VT and takes great pride in being an engaged and responsible landlord to her tenants.

Sibylle Kim

Board Secretary

In the mid 90s Sibylle, a native from southern Germany, arrived in the USA for postgraduate breast cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. After earning another M.Sc. degree in Health Communication from Tufts Medical School, Sibylle switched careers into healthcare marketing communications. Meeting her future American husband meant yet another life change when Sibylle became a stay-at-home mom to raise two fluently bi-lingual children while taking over the remodel and property management of a fleet of privately owned long-term rental properties in her home town Cambridge, MA. But it was the purchase of Villa Ausblick – a luxury short-term rental home in Waterbury, Vermont – and being a professional hospitality service provider that became the true calling for Sibylle. Since 2005 she has welcomed more than 4,000 discerning guests hosting family reunions and group get-aways, while providing them with their dream Vermont vacation. Listen to her podcast interview with Matt Landau on “How Vacation Rentals Helped Me Buy My Dream Family Home.”

Lucas Jenson

Board Treasurer

Lucas Jenson is the owner of The Tree House Hardwoods & Millshop, a retail shop located in South Burlington where they provide custom milling services and sell hardwood lumber and related products with a heavy focus on Vermont sourced materials in support of the forest economy in the state. Lucas grew up in Walpole, New Hampshire right across the Connecticut river from VT. He moved to Vermont in 1998 to work in marketing for Ben & Jerry’s which he did for many years before starting a small construction company and eventually opening The Tree House. He lives in a lovingly restored farmhouse in Williston along with his wife and 2 children. Not long after moving to Vermont, Lucas purchased a couple investment properties in Burlington to supplement his income and has since bought and sold several. After renting long term for many years, he and his wife started an STR in one of their apartments in Burlington which they have thoroughly enjoyed, welcoming visitors to the city and telling them about all the wonderful things to do and see in the area. They also operate a STR in a seasonal house they own in the Champlain Islands.

Carin McCarthy

Board Member

Carin McCarthy is the owner and operator of Vermont Bed and Breakfast at Russell Young Farm, located in the heart of the Green Mountains. As a native Vermonter who returned to raise her family and run her business with her husband Luke, Carin enjoys sharing the best of Vermont with guests who come from around the world. When the pandemic restrictions shifted travel trends, her business relied upon the success of their short term rental Guest House, which enabled travelers a safe way to quarantine with their pod and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Vermont. Carin believes in the power of community and the responsibility of business owners to be agents of positive change. She has master's degrees in Human Relations and Organization Development (Champlain College) and Human Geography & Sustainability (University of Edinburgh). Carin is a member of the Starksboro Selectboard, the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, the Women Business Owner's Network, and the Founder of Vermont Collaborative Circle and host of the Pivot & Thrive Community for Vermont business owners. In all her work, she is dedicated to making Vermont the place where businesses and families thrive.

VTSTRA-Certified Hosts

VTSTRA-Certified Hosts are short-term rental operators who go above and beyond in their commitment to responsible hosting. VTSTRA-Certified Hosts are held to the highest standards. As a guest, you can be confident that VTSTRA-Certified Hosts are:

• Registered with VTSTRA and all regulating authorities in Vermont

• Certified for fire and health safety

• Covered by commercial insurance that properly protects guests and hosts from injury and liability

• Compliant with RentResponsibly’s “Good Neighbor Policy” and maintain a zero-complaint record

• Compliant with VTSTRA’s non-discrimination policy to welcome all guests and visitors to Vermont regardless of race, color, sex, religion, familial status, sexual orientation, or national origin.

VTSTRA Business Partners

Business partners of VTSTRA share our mission and goals while directly contributing to the success and prosperity of short-term rentals across Vermont.

Partners help us advance the short-term rental industry in Vermont by offering services, products, or other resources to our STR hosts and guests.