Appointment of Gary Margolis among many announced this quarter

Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the fourth quarter of 2025 – including former UVM police chief and public safety entrepreneur Gary Margolis of Shelburne to the State Police Advisory Commission.

Margolis began his career as a deputy sheriff in Chittenden County when he was in college, his Linked In page says. By that time, he had already built several small businesses including a seasonal landscaping company and collegiate laundry service. He served as a deputy sheriff, police officer, and police academy administrator before becoming the Chief of Police at the University of Vermont. He served for 9 years as a Commissioner with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (www.CALEA.org).

Margolis also is the CEO, Co-Founder & Managing Director of OstoValve, LLC. OstoValve is a breakthrough medical device designed to allow people with ostomies the luxury of going bagless. The device is set to change how people living with ostomies negotiate their day to day lives. OstoValve’s mission and vision is focused on supporting an active lifestyle for millions of people worldwide. www.ostosure.com

He serves as the Operating Partner (CEO) of the Apple Island Resort in South Hero, Vermont (www.appleislandresort.com). A ten star rated, 300 site luxury RV resort nestled on the shores of Lake Champlain in the Green Mountain State, the resort’s amenities include an executive golf course, marina, general store, the Arnold Zlotoff Tool Museum and the Z Motor Sport Collection. He was the founder of Social Sentinel, Inc. (acquired by Navigate360/The Riverside Company in October 2020), a SaaS-based technology company that helped safety and security teams pay attention to the digital conversation for the safety of their communities. Social Sentinel’s AI powered language analytics engine scanned public social media and owned data sources for indications of harm and violence and returned smart results for timely response and mitigation.

Margolis was the co-founder of Margolis Healy & Associates, LLC (acquired by Cozen O’Connor in August 2017). Margolis Healy was the premier firm for school safety and security in the US and Canada and was chosen by the US Department of Justice to establish and lead The National Center for Campus Public Safety created by Congress after the tragedies at Newtown, CT and VA Tech. In addition to direct consulting services, the firm served 4,500 universities and colleges in the United States as the federal resource on matters of safety and security.Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. 

Margolis is just one of the accomplished public servants and vocational experts serving on the state’s many boards and commissions. he 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-commissions to apply.

Appointments made in the fourth quarter of 2025 are listed below.

Addison-4 District, State House of Representatives

• Karen Lueders, Lincoln

Access Board

• Sandra Silla, Burlington

Act 264 Advisory Board

• Megean Martin, Tinmouth

Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board

• Dr. Pamela Brown, Shelburne
• Mary McFaun, Barre
• Trevor Whipple, Berlin

Board of Libraries

• Glenn McRae, Burlington

Board of Medical Practice

• Susan Blish, Rutland

Building Bright Futures Council

• Laura Young, St. Johnsbury

District #1 Environmental Commission

• Cort Jones, Mendon
• Butch Shaw, Florence

District #8 Environmental Commission

• Lilli West, Bennington

Drug Utilization Review Board

• Dr. Michelle Wakerley, Colchester

Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board

• Michael Desrochers, Morrisville

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

• Douglas Farnham, Montpelier

Justice of the Peace

• Elisa Clancy, Hyde Park
• Leland Gazo, Colchester
• Bill Emerson, Harland
• Cathy Montagne, St. Albans Town
• Catherine Shearer, City of Essex Junction
• Cynthia McGeoch, South Burlington
• Danial S. Sargeant, Granville
• Adam Alperowicz, Andover

Orleans District, State Senate

• John Morley, Orleans

State Advisory Panel on Special Education

• Krista Siringo, Bristol
• Erika Smith, Montpelier
• Regina-Anne Cooper, Harland
• Summer Stelter, Irasburg

State Police Advisory Commission

• Gary J. Margolis, Shelburne
• Glenn Boyde, Colchester
• June Heston, Richmond
• Shirley Jefferson, South Royalton

State Program Standing Committee for Children, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health

• Angela Kelly, St. Albans
• Karen Carreira, St. Albans

State Workforce Development Board

• Betsy Hassan, Williston

Uniform Laws Commission

• Stephanie J. Willbanks, Strafford
• Helen Toor, Charlotte
• Theodore C. Kramer, Brattleboro

Vermont Council on Domestic Violence

• Renita Marshall, Barre

Vermont Criminal Justice Council

• Leslie Crimin Johnson, Essex

Vermont Pension Investment Commission

• Lauren Wobby, Northfield
• William Hespe, Andover
• Christopher Lafayette, South Burlington

Windsor-4 District, State House of Representatives

• Michael Hoyt, West Hartford