When people start digging into George Burrill net worth, they usually expect to find a flashy Hollywood number or a tech mogul's bank statement. Honestly? That’s not what George Burrill is about. We’re talking about a man who built a literal empire in the world of international development—a sector where "wealth" is often measured in infrastructure and policy change rather than just private jets.
But don’t get it twisted. George Burrill is a very wealthy man.
He is the founder of ARD, Inc. (formerly Associates in Rural Development), a powerhouse consulting firm based out of Burlington, Vermont. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s because they weren't selling apps or sneakers. They were selling expertise to USAID and the World Bank. When he finally sold the company to Tetra Tech in 2007, it wasn't just a "retirement" move. It was a massive financial exit that solidified his status as one of Vermont's most successful entrepreneurs.
Breaking Down the ARD Sale and the Tetra Tech Connection
Let’s get into the weeds of where the money actually comes from. In 2007, Tetra Tech—a massive publicly traded engineering firm—acquired ARD, Inc. While the exact personal payout for Burrill wasn't splashed across the front page of the Wall Street Journal, ARD was a titan in the federal contracting space at the time.
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At the point of acquisition, ARD was pulling in hundreds of millions in revenue. They had a global footprint across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. When a firm like that gets swallowed up by a giant like Tetra Tech, the founders usually walk away with a "life-changing" sum.
You’ve gotta realize that "life-changing" for a guy like George means he shifted from running a business to running a legacy. Since that sale, his financial footprint has mostly been visible through his philanthropic work and his presence in the "high net worth" circles of Vermont.
The Burrill Foundation: Tracking the Assets
If you want to see where the money is now, look at the paperwork. The Burrill Foundation, based in Shelburne, Vermont, is a pretty good indicator of the family's financial health.
Tax filings for the foundation show total assets consistently hovering in the $700,000 to $900,000 range for the foundation alone. Now, keep in mind, a foundation is just a tax-exempt vehicle for giving. It represents only a tiny fraction of a person’s actual net worth.
- Annual Revenue: The foundation often pulls in roughly $100k a year in investment income and asset sales.
- Giving: They regularly distribute between $50k and $175k to causes like The Nature Conservancy and local Vermont initiatives.
- Property: Public records show the George C. Burrill Trust holds significant real estate, including a property in Shelburne valued at over $570,000.
Basically, between the 2007 exit, savvy investments, and real estate, we are looking at a net worth that is likely in the eight-figure range. We're talking tens of millions, not hundreds, but in Vermont terms? That's "old-school successful."
Why Nobody Knows the Exact Number
Publicly identifying the exact George Burrill net worth is tricky because he isn't a Kardashian. He doesn't have to report his earnings to the SEC anymore. Most of his wealth is tied up in private trusts and diversified investments.
He’s married to Lola Van Wagenen, a noted historian (and, interestingly, the former wife of Robert Redford). When two people of that stature and professional history combine their lives, the household net worth becomes a fortress. They are frequently cited in Vermont media as "high net worth individuals" who exert significant influence on state elections and environmental policy.
The "Development" Dividend
It’s easy to think of international development as "charity" work. It isn't. For George Burrill, it was a high-stakes, high-revenue business. ARD was a "for-profit" consulting firm. They were essentially the McKinsey of the developing world.
By the 1990s, Burrill was chairing the Business Alliance for International Economic Development in D.C. He wasn't just doing good; he was advocating for the entire industry. This proximity to power and massive federal contracts is what built the foundation of his wealth.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Wealth
People often confuse him with other "Burrills" or think he just "worked for the government."
- He wasn't a government employee; he was a contractor. Huge difference in pay scales.
- His wealth didn't come from a single "viral" moment. It took 30 years of building ARD from a small Vermont office into a global entity.
- He’s more active in spending his money on conservation than he is on showing it off.
Actionable Takeaways: What We Can Learn from George Burrill
If you’re looking at George Burrill’s financial trajectory as a blueprint, here is how he actually did it:
- Find a Niche and Own It: He didn't just do "business." He focused on rural development in emerging markets when very few people were looking there.
- The Power of the Exit: Building a company to be acquired by a larger entity (like Tetra Tech) is the fastest way to liquefy years of hard work.
- Diversify Early: Between the Burrill Foundation and various trusts, his wealth is protected across real estate, stocks, and philanthropic vehicles.
- Influence > Fame: Burrill is a prime example of "quiet wealth." He influences New Zealand's Nature Conservancy board and Vermont’s political landscape without needing a blue checkmark on social media.
While we might not have a login to his bank account, the evidence points to a massive success story. Between the sale of ARD, Inc., his ongoing investment returns, and high-value Vermont real estate, George Burrill net worth remains a testament to the profitability of the "doing well by doing good" business model.
To truly understand the scale of his impact, you have to look at the transition of ARD into Tetra Tech’s international development wing—a move that fundamentally changed how U.S. foreign aid is implemented today. Keep an eye on the Burrill Foundation's annual filings if you want to see how he continues to deploy that capital into the 2020s.