As the writer of the weekly Person of Shelburne column, I almost always ask my interviewees for suggestions of Shelburne residents for future columns. Recently several interviewees have suggested Randy Sweeney. Sweeney is a vibrant volunteer at Shelburne Community School (SCS) and in the community at large. Here's more about this talented Shelburnite.

Family: Randy and her husband, Shawn, will celebrate 14 years of marriage in November of this year. Shawn grew up in Montpelier and now owns Sweeney DesignBuild here in Shelburne, and Randy helps to run the business. The couple has two boys: Jake is 10 and will be in the fifth grade at SCS in the fall, and Luke recently turned nine and will be in the fourth grade.

Education and career: Randy grew up in Teaneck, N.J., right outside of New York City. She attended Tulane University in New Orleans and received her bachelor's degree in psychology. After graduating from college, Randy moved to New York City and lived there for the next 13 years. She began working in television for Fox TV as a production coordinator, and then became a location manager for feature films, which she loved. It was Randy's job to find and secure locations for a film. She would then work with the director, the producer, and all other departments (minus the actors) to manage the logistics pertaining to location. Some well-known movies she worked on include "Home Alone 2," "Men in Black," and "You've Got Mail."

While Randy was living in New York City, her future husband was the co-owner of a bar in Burlington. However, Shawn decided to leave Burlington and get into film production. Randy and Shawn met while making the film "Lolita" and married in 1996. After their marriage, they had a decision to make: either go to Los Angeles and continue in the movie business or move to Vermont and have a family. Obviously, the couple chose the latter. Randy was working in Vermont on the film, "What Lies Beneath" when she became pregnant. Shawn took over the position of location manager, and Randy had their first son, Jake.

Now, Randy helps her husband with their design/build business, and is very active in her children's lives and as a volunteer at SCS. Three years ago, Randy brought the Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED) program to the school, and she has been the volunteer organizer ever since that time. Randy facilitates meetings, plans the year's activities, and oversees activities and projects at the school. One such project is the Grow an Extra Row initiative. See page 5 for more on this program. This year, Randy will be the co-chair of the SCS Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) with Alice Brown. Randy has been active in the PTO for many years and she is really looking forward to being a part of the leadership of the organization.

Favorite food: A fresh, well-dressed salad, and any pasta (she is known for her peanut noodles)

Favorite music: Dave Matthews, southern rock, and Grace Potter

Favorite movie: "Cinema Paradiso"

Hobbies: Singing and playing the guitar, cooking, gardening

Pets: Two cats: Indy and Magic

First concert: Queen at Madison Square Garden

Bucket list: Would love to travel across the country in an RV with her family, and be a better musician