Governor Phil Scott announced today that Secretary Lindsay Kurrle will step down from her role leading the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) on July 24. He has named Tayt Brooks as the new secretary.
Governor Scott first appointed Kurrle to lead the Department of Labor in 2017. In August 2019, he made her secretary of ACCD. Before working for the state, she helped run Kurrle Fuels and Transport, a small business in Montpelier that she co-owned with her husband, Jim.
“Lindsay has been a valuable member of my Cabinet from the start,” said Governor Phil Scott. “She’s been a thoughtful leader and helped businesses navigate multiple floods as well as the pandemic. We’ll miss her loyalty and can-do attitude and wish her all the best in her new role.”
“Serving as an executive Cabinet member for this Administration has been an honor and a privilege. I am grateful to the Governor for his trust, confidence, and steady leadership over the past decade,” said Secretary Kurrle. “Working alongside an extraordinary team of dedicated public servants, and with the support of public and private sector partners across the state, we helped guide Vermont through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple flood disasters while advancing policies and programs to strengthen our workforce, expand housing opportunities, support businesses and communities, and position our state for long-term economic success. While there is still much work to do, I am proud of the progress we made together and grateful for the partnerships that made it possible.”
Tayt Brooks has worked for the Scott administration since 2017. He started as director of affordability and economic initiatives, then became deputy secretary of ACCD in 2021. He will officially become secretary on July 27.
“Tayt’s strong experience in economic development will continue to be an asset to the agency in this new role,” said Governor Phil Scott. “He’s been an important member of my team since day one, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role.”
“I’d like to thank Governor Scott for the appointment, and I also want to recognize Secretary Kurrle for her strong leadership over the last seven-plus years,” said Deputy Secretary Brooks. “I look forward to continuing the Agency’s advocacy for Vermont’s residents, visitors, businesses, and downtowns.”
The Agency of Commerce and Community Development includes three departments: Housing and Community Development, Economic Development, and Marketing and Tourism. Together, they work to grow Vermont’s economy, help businesses create jobs, build more housing, and support strong communities through tourism and marketing.