William Sorrell, former Vermont Attorney General, and Chris Louras, former Rutland legislator and mayor, are among the six gubernatorial appointees to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council (VCJC) announced by Gov. Phil Scott today. At least five VCJC appointees are reappointments: Sorrell, Louras, Brian Searles, Karim Chapman, and Shawn Pratt. 

The VCJC establishes rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and serves as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. It has been deeply involved in bias-free policing recommendations and policies before and after the uproar caused by the George Floyd killing in 2020.

They are among the 33 Vermonters appointed to State boards and commissions during October. Members generally are paid a per diem for their services.   

Appointments made by the Governor during October are listed below:

Green Mountain Care Board

• Owen Foster, Jericho
• David Murman, Waterbury
• Robin Lunge, Berlin

Access Board    

• Sandra Silla, Burlington
• Nate Besio, Colchester

Vermont Community Development Board

• Cynthia Gubb, Londonderry
• Lisa Sullivan, Wilmington

Vermont Fire Service Training Council   

• Tom Estey, Starksboro
• Aaron Collette, Williston

Criminal Justice Council               

• Bill Sorrell, Burlington
• Maira Tungatarova, Brattleboro
• Karim Chapman, East Wallingford
• Shawn Pratt, Bennington
• Christopher Louras, Rutland
• Brian Searles, Burlington

Board of Nursing            

• Jennifer Lyon, Barre
  

Board of Health              

• Brody Brown, Williamstown
• Dawn Philibert, South Burlington

Plumbers Examining Board         

• Steve Goodrich, North Bennington
• Tom Nesbitt, Waterbury Center
• Brian Thomas, Shrewsbury

Elevator Safety Review Board

• Rob Devillers, Hyde Park
• Lon Bullinger, Colchester

Vermont Pension Investment Commission

• Mary Alice McKenzie, Burlington
• Brad Ferland, Hardwick

Vermont Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees

• Peter Fagen, Rutland
• Catherine Tester, Orwell

Board of Pharmacy

• Olivia Sprague, St. Albans

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

• Dorothy Helling, Montpelier
• Pam Chisholm, Duxbury
• Laura Medalie, Montpelier
• Robert Peterson, Richmond
• Greg Wight, Brookfield

The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website at https://governor.vermont.gov/boards_and_commission to apply.