Governor also announces 144 appointments to State boards and commissions

Governor Phil Scott appoints retired Major General Greg Knight as Special Advisor

Governor Phil Scott also announces 144 appointments to State boards and commissions

Governor Phil Scott today announced the appointment of retired Major General Greg Knight as a Special Advisor to the Governor, a temporary position focused on advancing several high-priority initiatives related to public safety, veterans, emergency preparedness, civic engagement, and intergovernmental affairs.

“Greg Knight dedicated his career to serving Vermont with integrity, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to others,” said Governor Scott. “His experience leading through complex challenges, deep understanding of emergency preparedness and public service, and the respect he’s earned across Vermont make him well-suited for this role and I’m grateful Greg has agreed to continue serving Vermonters in this new capacity.”

Knight, who retired from the Vermont National Guard after more than four decades of military service, will provide strategic advice, coordinate projects, and work with state agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to help advance several of the Administration’s priorities.

“I’m honored by Governor Scott’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Vermont,” said Knight. “These projects reflect many of the values that have guided my career—service, preparedness, collaboration, and strengthening our communities. I look forward to working with our state agencies, local partners, Veterans, educators, and community leaders to help move these important initiatives forward.”

Knight’s appointment is effective immediately and is project-based through fiscal year 2027. Within his portfolio, he will be responsible for working with a variety of state programs, partners, and stakeholders to lead and advance initiatives including public safety, veteran services, emergency preparedness, and civic engagement. He will also advise the Governor’s Office on state-federal policy to advance key administration priorities.

Scott’s office also announced a range of appointments made in the second quarter of 2026.

Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. 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-commissions to apply.

Appointments made in the second quarter of 2026 are listed below.

Aviation Advisory Council

• Robert Flint, Springfield

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

• Edward Clark, Rutland

Board of Libraries

• Lisa Barron, Milton
• Jennifer Fels, North Bennington

Chemicals of High Concern for Children Group

• Kathryn Crawford, White River Junction

Chittenden-Franklin District, House of Representatives

• Kumulia Long, Milton

Chittenden-18 District, House of Representatives

• Kevin Scully, Burlington

Community Development Board

• John Biondolillo, Barre Town
• John Kascenska, East Burke
• David Riegel, Barton

Council for Equitable Youth Justice

• Honorable Katherine Hayes, Brattleboro
• Julia Brand, Dorset

DAIL Advisory Board

• Steven Pouliot, South Burlington
• Lawrence Seiler, Montpelier
• Joseph Greenwald, South Burlington
• Marc-Andre LaChance, City of Essex Junction
• Lynne Cardozo, Duxbury
• Jean Warner, Springfield
• Kim Fitzgerald, Colchester
• Gary Chester, Lyndonville
• Eliza Eager, Brattleboro
• Shellie Stevens, Barre
• Jane Catton, Colchester
• Marie Zura, City of Essex Junction
• Frederick K. Neu, Hinesburg
• Michael Gruteke, Brattleboro
• Tom Hamilton, East Montpelier
• Beth Kirkpatrick, Keene
• Leslie Kanat, Jericho
• Amanda Van Eps, Brandon

Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf/Blind Advisory Council

• Rebecca Lalanne, Vernon
• Will Pendlebury, Brattleboro
• Amelia Briggs, Shelburne
• Sharon Henry, Hinesburg
• Tracy Hinck, Norwich
• Pam Hoover, Tyler
• Julie Porter, Colchester
• Janet Dickinson, Guilford

District 2 Environmental Commission

• David Moulton, Whitingham

District 3 Environmental Commission

• Ashley Lincoln, Randolph Center
• Cheryl Harvey, Rochester

District 4 Environmental Commission

• Pam Loranger, Colchester

District 5 Environmental Commission

• Gary Nolan, Morristown
• John Biondolillo, Barre Town

District 9 Environmental Commission

• Rob North, Ferrisburgh

Electricians Licensing Board

• John Benoit, Barre

Endangered Species Committee

• Alexandria Kosiba, Jericho
• Allan Strong, South Burlington

Fire Service Training Council

• Tom Estey, Starksboro
• Jeffrey Alex Spencer, Colchester
• Walter Bothfield Jr., Cabot
• John Marcus, Bridport
• Matt Miles, Montpelier
• Aaron Collette, Williston

Fish and Wildlife Board

• Heather Furman, Jericho

Green Mountain Care Board Nominating Committee

• June Heston, Richmond

Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

• Josh Blakemore, Barre
• Nathan Piper, Barre

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

• Martin Gillies, Burlington
• Janet Franz, Shelburne
• David Butsch, Moretown
• Sung-Hee Chung, Craftsbury
• Connie Tompkins, Burlington
• Bryan Rivard, Jericho
• Carissa Gordon, Town of Essex

Governor’s Workforce Equity and Diversity Council

• Shalini Suryanarayana, Middlesex
• Joseph Nusbaum, Winooski
• Big Hartman, Berlin
• Tracy Dolan, Jericho
• Colleen Montague Williston
• Maureen Herbert, Randolph
• Jae Basiliere, South Burlington

Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council

• Larry Hart, Sr., Topsham
• William Canfield, Fair Haven
• David Carlson, Town of Essex
• Brenda Cruikshank, Northfield
• Gary DeGasta, Norwich
• Keith Baranow, South Royalton
• Jacob M. Wolf, Orleans
• Penny Osgood, Grafton
• Pamela Koppelmann, City of Essex Junction
• Adrian Megrath, Rutland
• Stephanie Wobby, Milton
• Peter Gadue, Shelburne
• Ken Sekuterski, Jr., Enosburg Falls
• June Heston, Richmond

Hearing Panels for Professional Public Educators

• William Kimball, Wolcott

Justice of the Peace

• Robet Munger, South Burlington
• Constance Barbash, Killington
• Dan Tanner, Burke
• Donald Patch, Mount Holly
• Barrett Grimm, Huntington
• Mark Cahill, New Haven
• Kathi Apgar, New Haven
• Hans Peter, Castleton
• Donald Sargent, Colchester
• Linda Moschelle, East Calais
• Philip Perlah, Chester
• Peter MacFarlane, Addison
• Brian Rainville, Franklin
• Mary von Alt, Maidstone
• Christopher Fuhrmeister, Randolph

Rutland County Assistant Judge

• Kevin Geno, Rutland

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

• Laureen A. Mulhern, Bennington
• Angela Kelly, Woodstock
• Karen Carreira, Ludlow
• Cynthia Smith, Fair Haven
• Betsy King, Orwell

Travel and Recreation Council

• Steve Wright, Newport
• Amy Morrison Spear, Killington
• Jeff Lawson, Shelburne
• Jody Fried, Saint Johnsbury

Travel Information Council

• Mandy Shatney, Barre City
• Elizabeth Kennett, Rochester
• Richard Cleveland, Northfield
• Francis Heald, Rutland

Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain’s Future

• Lori Fisher, Williston
• Andrew Milliken, Charlotte
• Jane Clifford, Starksboro
• Evan Fitzgerald, Colchester

Vermont Municipal Bond Bank

• Debbie Winters, Swanton
• Mark Foley, Jr., Rutland

Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs

• Jeff Benay, Fairfax

• Brian Wiggins, Fairfax
• Daniel Coutu, Newport
• Charles Calley, Newbury
• Linda Savoca, Cabot

Vermont Criminal Justice Council

• Samantha Weber, Georgia

Vermont Economic Development Authority

• Steven Voigt, Norwich
• Sarah Furman, Rutland

Vermont Educational and Health Buildings Financing Agency

• Lauren Wobby, Northfield

Vermont Housing Finance Agency

• Jeanne Morrissey, Richmond
• Marie Milord-Ajanma, Waterbury
• Fred Baser, Bristol

Vermont State Workforce Development Board

• Lucia Campriello, Burlington
• Jim Sullivan, North Bennington
• Rob Terry, Pawlet

Vermont Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees

• Kent Butterfield, Gaysville
• Jennifer Carmichael, Arlington
• Brenda Cruikshank, Northfield
• Clark Adams, Bennington
• Steve Deal, Swanton
• Sandra Pinsonault, East Dorset

Washington-Orange District, House of Representatives

• David Soucy, Barre

FEMA approves NEK flood repair reimbursements

On July 17, FEMA announced the approval of nearly $7 million in post-disaster funding for projects in New England, the Journal-Opinion reports today.

The funding approved included $3.6 million to the state of Vermont to reimburse the Town of Lyndon to repair one bridge on Red Village Road and replace another washed away by the late July 2024 flooding.

Another $2.4 million will reimburse the Vermont Agency of Transportation for repairing part of the Washington County Railroad in Barnet damaged by the early July 2024 flooding.

The agency also approved more than a half a million for the State of Maine to reimburse administrative costs.