Our Team

Sherry Underwood

Chief Executive Officer

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

sherryk@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747 ext. 15

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 ext. 26

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 ext. 27

Nina Hansen, SNS

Chief Operations Officer

nina@abbeygroup.net | cell: 802-782-0886

Julie Cookson

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 | 802-933-4747 ext. 21

Scott Choiniere, SNS

Executive Vice President

Scott Choiniere is the vice president of operations 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 | cell: 802-373-6458

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 | 802-933-4747 ext. 18

Cheryle Slayton

Director of Purchasing

Cheryle is the director of purchasing for The Abbey Group. In this position, Cheryle is responsible for budgeting, purchasing, and local purchase development for all contracted accounts. Cheryle has been in the foodservice 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 is an integral part of our organization and has a wide range of other responsibilities.

cheryle@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747 ext. 17

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 | 802-933-4747 ext. 25

Michelle Root

Director of Human Resources

Michelle has been part of The Abbey Group’s team since 2017first 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. When not working, Michelle enjoys learning about history and traveling to historical landmarks.

hr@abbeygroup.net | 802-933-4747 ext. 23