Our Staff

Many of you have interacted with Rachel, Jaclyn, and George over the past years either over the phone, at the front desk or when visiting our dining room or pub. We wanted to share with you a little about their backgrounds and prior experience. They play a key role in making the Inn work well, and will be on hand to greet you and your family on your next visit to the Echo Lake Inn.

Rachel LeClair

Rachel LeClair has been with us for just over five years now in the position of Innkeeper. Rachel grew up over the hills in Cavendish and was a student at Okemo Mountain School. The Okemo Valley has always held a special place in her heart. Studying Resort and Leisure Management at Green Mountain College and Killington Resort she has always had a love for the hospitality industry. Shortly after college she moved to the Burlington area to work as a wedding planner and conference service manager for Bolton Valley Resort. She worked for Bolton Valley and Topnotch Resort as a wedding planner for close to 10 years before her and her husband decided to relocate to Worcester MA, where Rachel worked for a small semi-private country club as their Banquet/Restaurant Manager. She enjoyed working for a smaller company that had a commodore that she hadn’t experienced before.

Yearning to return home to be closer to their families Rachel and her husband Paul decided to return to Cavendish and build their home. Rachel took a position at The Equinox and after two years was missing the family feel and values of a smaller property. The Echo Lake Inn has become a perfect fit. She brings with her an extensive background in events, restaurant services, and hospitality. She is loving every minute of her job whether it’s bookkeeping, painting, interacting with the guests, or helping out with housekeeping; the diversity of the position makes everyday a different adventure.
When she is not at work or working on the never ending to do list (ahh the joy of home ownership). Rachel enjoys just being outside no matter what season it is, making memories with her husband and their two fur babies Chancho, and Hoyt.

Jaclyn Olmstead

Jaclyn Olmstead has been with The Echo Lake Inn periodically over the past 9 years, but has joined us as a full-time innkeeper as of July 2022. Jaclyn grew up just a mile up the road in her hometown of Tyson, Vermont. She has a love for the outdoors and Tyson is a great location for just that with its lakes and mountains right in her back yard. Jaclyn, her husband, and her three children love to spend their time outside exploring nature. She studied business at The Community College of Vermont after finishing her Photography Degree at The Hallmark Institute of Photography.
Jaclyn worked at Okemo Mountain Resort as one of the captains of the banquet department for about 6 years. She has done many different jobs over the years for waste water, water assistant operator, and even landscaping and gardening. Here at The Echo Lake Inn, she feels right at home and will do any task thrown her way. With her knowledge of the area growing up here, she is the perfect person to give direction to local attractions and amenities for all to enjoy

George Maguire

George Maguire is a Vermont native who grew up in the neighboring town of Bridgewater Corners, home of Long Trail Brewery and the historic Bridgewater Woolen Mill Mall. George has years of experience working in the restaurant business, even managing his family owned pizzeria for six years. Alongside managing a restaurant, he has been gardening in the Woodstock VT area for the past fifteen years. His passion for gardening led him to create his own landscaping business ten years ago. After three years of horticulture classes, he went on to complete the UVM Extension Master Gardener course as well as the Master Composter course. His education and real world experience is showcased in his meticulous garden designs and services, which can be admired here at The Echo Lake Inn.

George started with us around four years ago as a full time housekeeper during the winter months, and has worked his way up to the innkeeper position he is in today. George’s experience managing, bartending, and operating his own business makes him a perfect fit here at the Inn and he is enjoying every minute of it!

When he is not working at either of his jobs, George enjoys working on his recently purchased house with his husband Sijan, kayaking on the multiple lakes surrounding the Inn, selling floral arrangements and other goods at his farm stand SM Farmstead, or relaxing with his two cats January and Nutmeg.

For our father, Tom Gianola, Vermont was always home in his heart. He spent his childhood summers on his grandparents’ farm, attended college here, and returned year after year with his family to enjoy its quiet beauty. When the time came for a new chapter, Tom knew exactly where he wanted to be — and what he wanted to do.

After a 30-year corporate career, he discovered the Echo Lake Inn, a historic Vermont treasure with a charm and character that spoke to everything he loved about the state. The Inn’s rich history, beautiful setting, and welcoming spirit inspired him to trade boardrooms for breakfast tables and meetings for meaningful moments with guests.

For ten years, Tom poured his heart into preserving the Echo Lake Inn’s legacy — maintaining its historic charm while sharing its magic with visitors from near and far. It became not just his business, but his passion and his home.

Today, following his passing, we — his daughters Christin and Jessica — are honored to carry forward the place he cherished so deeply. The Echo Lake Inn remains a family endeavor, lovingly cared for by our exceptional on-site team who embody Tom’s warmth, dedication, and spirit of hospitality.

We invite you to experience the same timeless beauty and genuine welcome that inspired our father to make the Echo Lake Inn his life’s work.