The Abbey Group

Employee Login • Careers

Dedicated to the Love of Good Food

Our Team

The Abbey Group employs hundreds of people in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Upstate New York, and Vermont. Meet the team at our Sheldon, VT-based headquarters.

  • Sherry Underwood

    Sherry Underwood

    Chief Executive Officer

    Sherry Underwood is a co-founder, the CEO, and owner of The Abbey Group. Sherry has more than 30 years of experience managing a restaurant, catering business, and a food service management company that employs approximately 400 people across three states. She is responsible for overseeing the general operations of the company, finance, and cash flow, training, marketing, and issues relating to business development.

    sherryk@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747

  • Shannon Kane

    Shannon Kane

    Chief of Staff

    Shannon has rejoined The Abbey Group after a four year break to help with her family. She had worked at The Abbey Group as the Chief Financial Officer for 16 years, before taking a step back to raise her four children and run the family’s sugaring operation. While Shannon’s greatest love is for her family, she also enjoys teaching spin classes, selling real estate, making maple syrup, the four seasons, and any outdoor activity.

    shannon@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747

  • Abbey Underwood

    Abbey Underwood

    Chief Marketing Officer

    Abbey Underwood is the Chief Marketing Officer at The Abbey Group. Abbey graduated from Bentley University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is responsible for overseeing all marketing and public relation efforts employed by The Abbey Group.

    abbey@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747

  • Nina Hansen

    Nina Hansen, SNS

    Chief Operations Officer

    Nina Hansen is a School Nutrition Specialist with more than 15 years of multi-unit management, holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Food Administration degree from the University of Guelph. She earned her SNS certification by demonstrating knowledge and competency in the profession. Nina is also a certified ServSafe Food Protection Manager and Instructor.

    nina@abbeygroup.net | HQ: 802-933-5874 | Cell: 802-782-0886

  • Julie Darrow

    Chief Financial Officer

    Julie has an extensive background in accounting and assisted in building a successful accounting business before joining The Abbey Group. Julie is currently responsible for all the AR/AP for The Abbey Group.

    julie@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5876

  • Scott Choiniere, SNS

    President of Emerging Business

    Scott Choiniere is the President of Emerging Business for The Abbey Group. He has been involved with food service since high school and has been an employee of The Abbey Group for almost 30 years. He is currently responsible for the direction and training of regional directors and manages multiple accounts over a three-state area. He is a culinary and IT specialist. Scott graduated number one in his class from the New England Culinary Institute and is a recipient of the Michel LeBorgne award.

    scott@abbeygroup.net | 802-373-6458

  • Cassie Fraser

    Cassie Fraser

    Director of Marketing

    Cassie joined The Abbey Group in March of 2020, leaving behind an accounting position at Shelburne Farms. There she gained a profound respect for the local food movement and developed a dedication to sustainability. While she has a knack for numbers, her passion lies in marketing and design. She graduated from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans, Vermont before graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Business Technology & Management through Vermont Technical College in 2017.

    cassandra@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5877

  • Cheryle Slayton

    Cheryle Slayton

    Director of Purchasing

    Cheryle is responsible for budgeting, purchasing, and local purchase development for all contracted accounts. Cheryle has been in the food service industry for 25 years and has been employed by The Abbey Group since 1999 working her way from prep person to chef to head chef to site manager to district manager to where she is now.

    cheryle@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5878

  • Connie Burleson

    Operations Administrator

    Connie is the operations administrator for The Abbey Group.  During her more than ten years with the company, she has been involved in several areas of food service operations — supervising and managing within the schools, assisting with new account set up procedures, training and support of our operations software, and assisting the vice president of operations.

    connie@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5879

  • Michelle Root

    Michelle Root

    Director of Human Resources

    Michelle has been part of The Abbey Group’s team since 2017 first in accounts payable and now as Director of Human Resources. She is a graduate of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans, Vermont, and currently lives in Sheldon, Vermont, with her boyfriend and daughter.

    hr@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5870

  • Meghan Leadbeater

    Accountant

    Meghan is responsible for all of the accounts payable, assists with the monthly billing, and manages the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. She started working for the Abbey Group as an Accounting Assistant in 2019 after graduating from Colby-Sawyer College.

    meghan@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-5875