Biographical "Bio"'s of all 180 Members of 2017-2018 General Assembly

Biographical Sketches of
Members of the
General Assembly
2017-2018
Published by
The Vermont General Assembly

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
2017-2018

1
Senator
Tim Ashe
Chittenden District
TIM ASHE of Burlington, Chittenden County, was born in
Framingham, MA, on December 10, 1976. Tim holds degrees from
the University of Vermont (1999) and Harvard University’s
Kennedy School of Government (2004). For eight years, Tim
developed affordable housing with Cathedral Square. He and his
team created or renovated 396 affordable senior apartments with
total budgets exceeding $30 million. For the last two years he’s
taught college level courses. Tim served on the staff of
Congressman Bernie Sanders from 1999–2001. He served two terms
on the Burlington City Council, chairing the City’s Community
Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee. Tim
serves on the Board of Directors of Housing Foundation, Inc, and
previously served on the Board of Spectrum Youth and Family
Services. Member of the Senate: 2009–present. From 2013–2016,
Tim chaired the Senate Committee on Finance and served on the
Senate Committee on Judiciary, the Joint Fiscal Committee, the
Joint Corrections Oversight Committee, and the Emergency Board.
He is now the President Pro Tempore.
Senator
Claire Ayer
Addison District
CLAIRE D. AYER of Addison, Addison County, Democrat, was
raised and educated in the Champlain Valley. Following graduation
from Jeanne Mance School of Nursing, she married Alan Ayer. In
1979, they settled in Weybridge where they raised their three children.
Ayer is a registered nurse with a degree in environmental studies from
Middlebury College. Past service includes: Weybridge School Board
(Chair), Middlebury Area Land Trust, Vermont Association of
Conservation Districts (President), National Association of
Conservation Districts (Executive Board), and Justice of the Peace.
She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
of Nursing and the American Legion Auxiliary. Ayer served as a
member of the Electoral College in 2008. During her first two terms in
the Vermont Senate, Ayer served on the Senate Committees on
Agriculture, Transportation, and Finance, and as Vice Chair of Natural
Resources and Energy. She also served on the Judicial Retention and
Health Access Oversight committees. She was elected to the UVM
Board of Trustees for six years where she served as Chair of the
College of Agriculture Board and Chair of the Educational Policy and
Institutional Resources Committee. In her third and fourth terms in the
Vermont Senate, Ayer was elected to serve as Senate Majority Whip.
In 2009, she was appointed Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on
Finance and to represent the Senate on the Lake Champlain Basin
Committee. Since 2011, Ayer has chaired the Senate Committee on
Health and Welfare, served as Majority Whip, and is on the board of
the Champlain Valley AHEC. Home Phone: 759-2748. Mailing
Address: 1020 Tritown Road, Addison, VT 05491.

2
REBECCA A. BALINT of Brattleboro, Windham County,
Democrat, was born in a US Army hospital in Heidelberg, Germany
where her dad was stationed. She was raised predominantly in
upstate New York and attended public schools in Peekskill. She
received her BA from Smith College in Northampton, MA,
graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Rebecca earned
her master’s in education from Harvard University in 1995 and her
MA in history from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in
2001. Her career in education has been spent teaching in public and
private schools in New England, as well as at the Community
College of Vermont. She first moved to Vermont in 1994 to teach
rock climbing at the Farm and Wilderness Foundation in Plymouth
and relocated permanently to Vermont in 1997. She went on to
direct Saltash Mountain Camp at Farm and Wilderness, a coed
wilderness adventure camp for 11–15 year olds. She has served on
Brattleboro’s Development Review Board and as an elected town
meeting representative from her district in Brattleboro. She writes a
popular weekly op-ed column in the Brattleboro Reformer, serves
on the workforce committee of the Southeastern Vermont Economic
Development Strategies (SeVEDS), and is a CTI-trained coach who
works with groups and individual clients on fulfilling professional
and personal goals. She is also an avid runner. Rebecca lives with
her wife, attorney Elizabeth R. Wohl, and their two children,
Abraham and Sadie. Home Phone: 257-4162. Address: 271 South
Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Senator
Rebecca Balint
Windham District
PHIL BARUTH currently serves as Chair of Senate Education, after
four years of service as Majority Leader. Elected to the Senate
originally in 2010, he has since served on the Education, Economic
Development, and Agriculture Committees. Prior to 2010, Phil
spent a dozen years as an award-winning commentator for Vermont
Public Radio; he has spent the last 20 years writing novels as well.
The X President, a darkly comic take on the life and legacy of Bill
Clinton, became a New York Times Notable Book in 2003. The
Brothers Boswell, his most recent novel, was listed as one of the
Best Books of 2009 by the Washington Post. Phil teaches in the
English Department at the University of Vermont. He lives in
Burlington with his wife, Annika, and his daughters, Gwendolyn
and Miranda. Mailing Address: 87 Curtis Avenue, Burlington, VT
05408.
Senator
Phil Baruth
Chittenden District

3
Senator
Joe Benning
Caledonia District
JOE BENNING of Lyndon, Caledonia County, Republican, was
born in Long Branch, New Jersey, on December 7, 1956.
Occupation: trial lawyer. Joe graduated from Mater Dei High
School in New Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1975; from Lyndon State
College as a Dean’s List Student with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Social Science in 1979; and from Vermont Law School with a Juris
Doctorate Degree and member of the Moot Court Advisory Board
in 1983. He is married to Deb Benning and they have two children,
Emily and Justin. Joe is former Chair of Vermont’s Human Rights
Commission, President of the Lyndonville Rotary Club and Lyndon
State College Foundation; a past member of Northeast Kingdom
Youth Services Board, Lyndon Town School Board, Lyndonville
Stars & Stripes Committee, the Vermont State Colleges Board of
Trustees, Caledonia County Task Force On Domestic Violence,
Town/Village Agent for Lyndon/Lyndonville. He is a charter
member of the Central Vermont Harley Owners Group, a life
member of the American Motorcyclist Association and Lyndon
Historical Society. He is Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on
Judiciary and a member of the Senate Committee on Education; he
has served on the Senate Committees on Institutions and on Natural
Resources and Energy, the Judicial Retention Committee, the
Mental Health Oversight Committee, and the Misdemeanor
Sentencing Review Committee. He is the Town Moderator for the
Town of Lyndon, a Justice of the Peace, a past Trustee at Lyndon
Institute, Corporator at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital,
and a member of the Path Around Lyndon Committee. Member of
the Senate: 2011–present. Home Phone: 626-3600. Address: P.O.
Box 142, Lyndonville, VT 05851.
Senator
Carolyn Branagan
Franklin District
CAROLYN W. BRANAGAN of Georgia, Franklin County,
Republican, became a resident of present town in 1963. University
of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont (BS 1976 and MEd 1984). She is
married to Christopher Branagan and they have two daughters and
one son. Organizations: University of Vermont Trustee; Franklin
County Republican Committee; Governor’s Commission on
International Education; Vermont Legislative Women’s Caucus;
Vermont Interactive Television Coordinating Council; Past Trustee
and Chair, Vermont Maple Festival; Board of Trustees for Martha’s
Kitchen, Franklin County Home Health Board; Friends of Northern
Lake Champlain; Vermont State Mother of the Year, 2010; Georgia
Baptist Church; Georgia School Board; Town Moderator; Georgia
Town History Editor; Vermont Historical Society Board. Member
of the House: 2003–2016; Member of the Senate: 2017–present.
Phone: 782-4108. Post Office Address: 1295 Ballard Road, Georgia,
VT 05478.

4
CHRISTOPHER A. BRAY of New Haven, Vermont, became a
member of the Vermont House of Representatives in January 2007,
serving two terms on the House Agriculture Committee. Chris
graduated from the University of Vermont (BA, Zoology, 1977;
MA, English, 1991), where he taught for four years in the English
Department. Chris then worked at National Life of Vermont, IBM,
Intel, and Apple. Chris founded and still operates Common Ground
Communications, which provides writing, editing, and production
services to technical clients and the book publishing industry. Chris
and his family operate an 82-acre farm in New Haven. In 2006,
Chris graduated from the Governor Richard Snelling Center for
Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute. In 2009, Chris was
elected to the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont.
Chris was a lead sponsor of Vermont’s Farm to Plate Program and
the Biomass Energy Development Working Group, which he co-
chaired until 2011. In 2009, Chris received the Vermont Natural
Resource Council’s Legislative Leadership Award. In 2010, Chris
received the Council of State Government’s Toll Fellowship. In
2012, Chris was appointed to the Vermont State Supreme Court’s
Professional Responsibility Program. Chris’s other current and past
service includes the United Way of Addison County (Board of
Directors), Middlebury Rotary Club, Vermont Milk Commission
(Secretary), Rural Economic Development Working Group (Chair),
Vermont Forestry Study Group, NCSL Agriculture & Energy
Committee, Justice of the Peace, New Haven Board of Civil
Authority, and Middlebury Area Land Trust (past President).
Senator
Christopher Bray
Addison District
FRANCIS K. BROOKS of Montpelier, Washington County,
Democrat, was born in Washington, D.C., on May 24, 1943, and
became a resident of Montpelier in June of 1967. Occupation:
retired teacher, secondary education. He was educated in elementary
schools in Alexandria, Virginia; Parker-Gray High School,
Alexandria; Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont (B.S., 1967);
Clarkson College, Potsdam, New York (M.S., 1974). He is married
to the former Eunice W. Williams, and they have one son and one
daughter. Member of the House: 1983–2008. Senate: 2017–present.
He was elected Sergeant at Arms: 2007–2015. Religious preference:
Baptist. Home Phone: 223-3170. 27 Harrison Avenue, Montpelier,
VT 05602.
Senator
Francis Brooks
Washington District

5
Senator
Brian Campion
Bennington District
BRIAN CAMPION of Bennington, Bennington County, Democrat,
was born in Albany, New York, on December 11, 1970. Campion
was elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2014. Prior to the
Senate, Campion served two terms in the Vermont House of
Representatives, 2011–2014. While a member of the House of
Representatives, Campion served on the House Education
Committee. He is employed at Bennington College. He holds a BA
and MA in History. Memberships: Trustee of the Bennington
Museum, Threshold Collaborative, and Green Mountain Express
Network; Member of Catamount Rotary. Home Phone: 753-7705.
Post Office Address: 1292 West Road, Bennington, VT 05201.
E-mail: campionvt@gmail.com.
Senator
Alison Clarkson
Windsor District
ALISON HUDNUT CLARKSON of Woodstock, Windsor County,
Democrat, was educated at Harvard College, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, BA 1977. Alison is married to Oliver R.
Goodenough and they have two sons, Ward and William. She
currently serves on the Billings Park Commission. Former board
member of: the Vermont Arts Council, the Vermont Natural
Resources Council, Pentangle Council of the Arts, Sustainable
Woodstock, The Adirondack Council, The New York Theater
Workshop, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Park School of
Buffalo. Former theater producer, New York City. Alison is
honored to have been named Woodstock Rotary’s Citizen of the
Year in 2002, and to have received the Vermont Farm Bureau’s
Stephanie Bourdeau Women in Agriculture Leadership Award in
2008 and Vermont Natural Resources Council’s Outstanding
Vermont Legislator Award in 2008. Member of the House: 2005–
2016. Member of the Senate: 2017–present. Home Phone:
457-4627. E-mail: aclarkson@leg.state.vt.us. Post Office Address:
18 Golf Avenue, Woodstock, VT 05091.

6
BRIAN COLLAMORE of Rutland Town, Rutland County,
Republican. Born on November 28, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan.
Elementary education in Michigan. High school at Jesuit Xavier
School in Concord, Massachusetts. Moved to Vermont in 1968 and
attended Middlebury College. Received a BA in
Sociology/Anthropology in 1972. He and his wife, Christina, have
one son, Brian. He has a long broadcast career in both Middlebury
and Rutland with over 40 years on the radio and over 30 years in
sales and is currently General Sales Manager for five radio stations
for Catamount Radio. Winner of the Distinguished Service Award
from the Vermont Association of Broadcasters. He also has served
as an ice hockey official since 1978 and still referees youth, high
school, and college hockey games. Currently the Vermont
Supervisor of Officials for USA Hockey, President of the Vermont
Chapter of the National Ice Hockey Association of America, and
board member of the Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association.
Has served on the Marketing Committee of the Rutland County
United Way. Home Mailing Address: 124 Patricia Lane, Rutland,
05701. Home Phone: 773-1365
Senator
Brian Collamore
Rutland District
ANN E. CUMMINGS of Montpelier, Washington County,
Democrat, was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, on July 20, 1946,
and became a resident of present town in November 1975. She is
married to Regis E. Cummings, and they have three daughters and
one son. Occupation: Realtor. She was educated in elementary
schools in Wantaugh, New York, and Lexington, Kentucky;
Lexington Catholic High School, Lexington, Kentucky; Cardinal
Cushing College, Brookline, Massachusetts (BA, 1968); St.
Michael’s College, Winooski, Vermont (MSA, 1989). She is the
former mayor of Montpelier. Member of: Vermont Student
Assistance Corp. (VSAC) Board of Directors; USS Montpelier
Association (honorary member); Former Member: Vermont
Commission on Women, Vermont Handcrafters, Central Vermont
Community Action Council. Member of the Senate: 1997–present.
Religious preference: Catholic. Home Phone: 223-6043. Post Office
Address: 24 Colonial Drive, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Senator
Ann Cummings
Washington District

7
Senator
Dustin Degree
Franklin District
DUSTIN ALLARD DEGREE was born February 12, 1985, in St.
Albans, Vermont, and is a 2003 graduate of Bellows Free Academy
and a 2004 graduate of the Tilton School in Tilton, NH. Degree is a
former member of the Vermont House of Representatives, serving
the City of St. Albans during the 2011–12 biennium. From 2008 to
June of 2010, Degree served as Executive Assistant to Governor
Jim Douglas. Prior to working in the Governor’s office, he was
selected to report on the State of Vermont for MTV’s Emmy award
winning “Choose or Lose” coverage of the 2008 presidential
election. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the St. Albans
City Development Review Board and on the Board of Directors of
the St. Albans Amateur Skating Association. He is the Chair of the
St. Albans City Republican Committee and a Justice of the Peace.
Senator
Margaret Flory
Rutland District
MARGARET “PEG” FLORY of Pittsford, Rutland County,
Republican, was born in Colchester, Vermont, on August 2, 1948.
Occupation: Retired Attorney. She was educated at Immaculate
Heart of Mary and Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Rutland,
Vermont; Southern Vermont College, Bennington, Vermont
(associate’s degree, 1968); Champlain College (associate’s degree,
1990). She completed a four-year law clerkship under Richard A.
Pearson in 1995. Member of: Rutland Region Transportation
Council, Pittsford representative; American, Vermont and Rutland
County Bar Associations; Rutland County Diversion Review
Board. Religious preference: Roman Catholic. Member of the
House: 1999–2010. Member of the Senate: 2011–present. Phone:
779-1870. Home Mailing Address: 3011 US Route 7, Pittsford,
Vermont 05763.

8
DEBBIE INGRAM of Williston, Chittenden County, was born in
Savannah, Georgia. She graduated with an AB degree in
Communication from Stanford University and earned a Master of
Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena,
California. Debbie also completed a Fellowship at Cambridge
University, England. She has worked for the last ten years as the
Executive Director of Vermont Interfaith Action, a coalition of
congregations throughout the State that seeks to effect systemic
change around issues of social justice. She has also served two
terms on the Williston Selectboard, where she chaired the
Affordable Housing Task Force and the Housing Trust Fund Task
Force. Debbie is Williston’s alternate to the Chittenden County
Regional Planning Commission, where she chaired the Public
Participation Plan Committee. Governor Douglas appointed Debbie
to the Advisory Group for the Vermont Consolidated Plan,
submitted annually to HUD, and Governor Shumlin appointed her
as a consumer representative to the Steering Committee for the
Vermont Health Care Innovation Project, a multimillion dollar grant
awarded to the State through the Affordable Care Act. Debbie began
her career in the film and television industry in Los Angeles, where
she worked in development and production, and she ran a
communications consulting firm in Bangladesh for seven years,
writing, producing, and directing award-winning videos. Debbie is
an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and has
served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Vermont
Conference of the UCC. She is currently the Moderator of the
Conference. This is Debbie’s first term in the Senate.
Senator
Debbie Ingram
Chittenden District
JANE KITCHEL of Danville, Caledonia County, Democrat, was
born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, on August 23, 1945, and grew up
in Danville on the family farm. Occupation: Public Administrator.
Retired from the State of Vermont, former Secretary, Agency of
Human Services. Jane was educated in Danville Schools,
graduating from Danville High School in 1963; Wilson College,
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (AB, 1967); Toll Fellow, Council of
State Governments, 1994. She is married to Robert Kitchel and
they have one son. Jane is Former President, Board of Trustees,
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium (St. Johnsbury, Vt.);
Secretary, Danville Chamber of Commerce; Corporator,
Northeastern Vermont Regional Corporation; Fairbanks Museum
Fellow; Board Member, Vermont Food Bank, Member, Board of
Directors of the Northeastern Vermont Area Health Education
Center; Member, Danville Congregational Church. Member of the
Senate: 2005–present. Home Phone: 684-3482. Post Office
Address: P.O. Box 82, Danville, VT 05828.
Senator
Jane Kitchel
Caledonia District

9
Senator
Virginia Lyons
Chittenden District
VIRGINIA LYONS of Williston, Chittenden County, Democrat, was
born in Auburn, NY. She was educated at Drew University, Rutgers
University, and earned her Doctorate at the University of Vermont.
She taught at Trinity College, VT, for 27 years. She is a college
professor with over 30 years of research, teaching, and other
experience in Environmental and Biological Sciences. Community:
She is a former member and Chair of Williston’s Selectboard,
alternate member Chittenden County Regional Planning
Commission, former Cochran’s Ski Club Chair, former Board Vice
Chair and member CVAHEC and Vermont Family Network. She
serves on Friends of the Winooski River Board, UVM Medical
Center Children’s Hospital Advisory Council member, CCTV 17
Board, and other community groups. In 2012–14, she served on the
steering Committee of the Council of State Government North
Eastern Region for Climate Adaptation policy programs. She served
as Vice Chair of the NCSL Committee on Infrastructure,
Environment and Energy. Senate terms and activities: 2000–present.
She chaired growth center land use planning and biomass working
groups. She served on various committees: Agriculture Vice Chair
2000–02; Health and Welfare Vice Chair 2000–02, member 2002–
2010, Vice Chair 2013–14; Natural Resources and Energy member
2000–02, Chair 2002–2012, Vice Chair; Education 2010–2012;
Finance 2012–14; Joint Energy; VT Champlain Citizens Advisory
Committee, Chair; Health Care Oversight Committee; Sexual
Harassment Panel; Corrections Oversight Committee; Co-Chair
Vermont Commission on International Trade and State Sovereignty.
Mailing Address: 241 White Birch Lane, Williston, VT 05495.
Phone: 863-6129.
Senator
Mark MacDonald
Orange District
MARK A. MACDONALD of Williamstown, Orange County,
Democrat, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on December 18,
1942. He has spent summers in Vermont since 1947 and became a
permanent resident in September, 1974. Occupation: teacher/farmer.
He was educated in elementary schools in New Jersey and
Washington, D.C.; Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (BA,
1972); attended Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, 1975-76
to attain teacher’s certification. Member of: Williamstown Planning
Commission, 1984-1994; Vermont Beef Producers Association;
Chelsea Fish and Game Club; Orange County Farm Bureau;
American Legion; Orange Southwest Teachers Association; Vietnam
Veterans of America. He served in the U.S. Army, 1968–1970, with
eighteen months of service in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. Member of
the House: 1983 (seated July 19)–1994. Member of the Senate:
1996–present. Home Phone: 433-5867. Post Office Address: 404
MacDonald Road, Williamstown, VT 05679.

10
RICHARD T. MAZZA of Colchester, Chittenden County, Democrat,
was born in Colchester, Vermont, on September 4, 1939, and is a
lifelong resident. Occupation: self-employed grocer of Dick Mazza’s
General Store in Colchester, which opened in 1954. He was educated
in elementary schools in Colchester and at Winooski High School. He
is married to the former Dorothy D. Hinds and together they have one
son, one daughter, and four grandchildren. Member of: Champlain
Valley Fair, board of directors; Colchester Senior Citizens Housing
Project, president. Member of the House 1973–76 (Committee on
Transportation; Legislative Council). Member of the Senate: 1985–
present. Senate Committee on Transportation, chair, 1991–present;
Senate Committee on Institutions, vice-chair, 1991–present; Joint
Transportation Oversight Committee, chair; Committee on
Committees, third member, 1997–present. Religious preference:
Catholic. Home Phone: 863-1067. Post Office Address: 777 West
Lakeshore Drive, Colchester, VT 05446-1539.
Senator
Richard Mazza
Grand Isle District
RICHARD “DICK” MCCORMACK of Bethel, Windsor County,
Democrat, was born on July 20, 1947, in New York City, New York.
He became a resident of present town in 1970. Occupation: retired
college instructor, performer. He was educated Hofstra University,
bachelor’s degree (U.S. History, 1970); at Castleton State College,
Secondary Education Studies, (1977–78); Vermont Law School,
master’s degree (cum laude - 2002). He is married to Cindy Metcalf
and they have five grown children and five grandchildren between
them. Board Service: Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Adult
Basic Education, AIDS Community Resource Network, Emerge
Family Access Center, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Earth Right
Institute, Operation Laundry List, Vermont Sierra Club. Public
Service: District III Environmental Commission (Chair 1986–1989);
Justice of the Peace (1984–89). Majority Leader (1997–2001).
Senator
Richard
McCormack
Windsor District

11
Senator
Alice Nitka
Windsor District
ALICE W. NITKA of Ludlow, Windsor County, Democrat, was born
December 13, 1944, in Little Falls, New York, and became a resident
of present town in 1969. Occupation: She is employed by Eckerd
Youth Alternatives, Inc., an agency providing services to children.
She was formerly employed as a social worker for more than 30 years,
specializing in adoptions. She was educated at Williamstown Public
Schools, Williamstown, Massachusetts; Vincentian Institute, Albany,
New York; Russell Sage College, Troy, New York (BA, 1967). She is
married to Martin Nitka, and they have two daughters, Abigail and
Molly. Member of: Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation, Board of
Trustees; Ludlow Board of Civil Authority; Senate Chair, Vermont
Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; Vermont Foster and Adoptive
Families Association; Black River Valley Rod and Gun Club; and
serves as a Justice of the Peace. Past member of: Ludlow Planning
Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment, chair. Member of the
Senate: 2007–present. Member of the House: 1999–2006. Home
Phone: 228-8432. Post Office Address: North Hill, P.O. Box 136,
Ludlow, VT 05149.
Senator
Christopher
Pearson
Chittenden District
CHRISTOPHER PEARSON of Burlington, Chittenden County, grew
up in Maine, but was born in Canada. He moved to Burlington in to
attend UVM, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Art in
psychology. In 1998, he got his start in Vermont politics working for
then-Congressman Bernie Sanders. In 2006 he was appointed to the
Legislature to fill a vacancy. Pearson runs his own consulting firm
specializing in nonprofit communication and project management. He
is married with two daughters. Member of the House: 2006–2016.
Member of the Senate: 2017–present. Burlington Parks and
Recreation Commission member 2009-2014. Home Phone: 860-3933.
E-mail: cpearson@leg.state.vt.us. Address: 12 Brookes Avenue,
Burlington, VT 05401.

12
ANTHONY POLLINA of Middlesex, Washington County, was born
on February 17, 1952, in New Jersey. Anthony graduated from
Johnson State College with a degree in Political Science and
Environmental Studies. He is the Director of the Vermont Democracy
Fund and Producer and Host of Equal Time Radio on WDEV AM and
FM. He was the Founder and Director of Rural Vermont; Senior
Advisor to U.S. Representative Bernie Sanders; Policy Director and
Executive Director of Vermont Public Interest Research Group. He
has taught at Johnson State College, Community College of Vermont,
and Vermont College and was the Director of the Washington County
Community School. He has served on the Governor’s Agricultural
Advisory Board, the Board of Vermont NOFA (Northeast Organic
Farmers Association), Vermont Peace and Justice Center, National
Biotechnology Working Group, Central Vermont Solid Waste
District, and National Family Farm Coalition. He is pleased to be
married to Deborah Wolf and they have two wonderful, grown
daughters. Home Address: 93 Story Road, North Middlesex, VT
05682. Phone: 229-5809.
Senator
Anthony Pollina
Washington District
JOHN S. RODGERS of Glover, Orleans County, Democrat, was born
on July 29, 1965, in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. John was raised in
Glover on the family dairy farm; he was the fifth generation to grow
up on the farm. He graduated from Sacred Heart, Newport, VT
(1983), and from New Hampshire Vocational Technical College,
Berlin, NH, (Associates Degree 1985). After college, John started a
construction business, JS Rodgers Masonry Inc., specializing in dry
stonework and excavation. He served eight years in the Vermont
House of Representatives; he was the Collector of Delinquent Taxes
for many years in Glover and coached youth soccer. He is a member
of the NRA, Barton Area Chamber of Commerce, and served as the
Director to Shadow Lake Association, Glover, VT. In 2008, John
received the Crime Victim Service Award. He is married to Brenda
Rodgers, a nurse at the NVR Hospital, and they have two boys. Post
Office Address: PO Box 217, Glover, VT 05839.
Senator
John Rodgers
Essex-Orleans
District
RICHARD W. SEARS, JR. of Bennington, Bennington County,
Democrat, was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, on April 22,
1943, and became a resident of Bennington in 1971. Occupation:
Worked in residential programs for troubled youth for over 35 years.
Retired January 1, 2006. He was educated in schools in Ashland,
Massachusetts; New Hampton School, New Hampton, New
Hampshire; University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont (BA, 1966).
He is married to the former Beverly Bushey. Member of Bennington
Select Board, 1987–93 (chairman for four years) and Elks Lodge
#567. Member of the Senate: 1993–present. Religious preference:
Congregational. E-mail: rsears@leg.state.vt.us,
senator6@hotmail.com Post Office Address: 343 Matteson Road,
North Bennington, VT 05257.
Senator
Richard Sears
Bennington District

13
Senator
Michael Sirotkin
Chittenden District
MICHAEL SIROTKIN of South Burlington, Chittenden County,
Democrat. Educated in public Schools of Queens, New York,
Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of
Pennsylvania (1970), and University of Denver, College of Law
(1975). Staff Attorney Vermont Legal Aid (1976–1982); Co-director
VT Senior Citizens Law Project (1980–1982); Partner, Mickenberg
Dunn Sirotkin and Dorsch law firm (1982–1998); Founding partner
Sirotkin and Necrason, PLC, Governmental and Public Affairs law
firm (1999–2014). Advocated at the Vermont State House for over 30
years on behalf of numerous consumer, environmental, housing,
professional, and working family organizations. Appointed to
Vermont Senate February 2014, replacing late wife of 35 years,
beloved Senator Sally Fox, who passed away on January 10, 2014,
after 17 years of legislative service. They have two adult sons.
Appointed to Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Institutions
and the Joint Health Care Oversight Committee for the balance of
2014 session, and was elected to continue to represent Chittenden
County in the Vermont Senate 2015–present. Served on Town of
Essex Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment and
South Burlington Development Review Board and Red Rocks
Committee. Justice of the Peace and Member South Burlington Board
of Civil Authority. Past member of Vermont Medicaid Advisory
Board and Department on Aging Advisory Board. Current board
member of Hunger Free Vermont.
Senator
David Soucy
Rutland District

14
ROBERT A. STARR of Troy, Orleans County, Democrat, was born
in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 17, 1942, and became a
resident of present town on June 3, 1944. He is married to the former
Anita Cadieux, and they have one son. Occupation: president, Starr’s
United, Inc., d/b/a Starr’s Transportation. He was educated in
elementary schools in North Troy, Vermont; North Troy High School;
and Vermont Technical College, Randolph, Vermont (associate
degree in agriculture). Member of: Troy school board; O.E.N.S.U.
school board; Troy zoning board and planning commission; Board of
Civil Authority; Troy town moderator; North Country High School,
moderator; Vermont State College trustee; Vermont Truck and Bus
Association, director; Elks Club #2155, Newport; National
Conference of State Legislatures. Chair of the House Committee on
Agriculture, 1985–2000. Member of the House: 1979–2004. Member
of the Senate: 2005–2016. Chair of Committee on Education. 2009–
2012. Chair of Committee on Agriculture 2013–present; Member,
Committee on Appropriations. Religious preference: Protestant.
Home Phone: 988-2877; Office: 988-2281 or 2282. Post Office
Address: 958 Route 105W, North Troy, VT 05859.
Senator
Robert Starr
Essex-Orleans
District
RICHARD WESTMAN of Cambridge, Lamoille County,
Republican, was born in Burlington, Vermont, on March 13, 1959,
and became a resident of Cambridge in March of 1959. He was
educated at the elementary school in Cambridge, Vermont, and at
Lamoille Union High School, Hyde Park, Vermont. He graduated
from Johnson State College with a BA in 1982. He was a member of
the Vermont House of Representatives 1983–2009, serving on various
committees as well as being Chair of Appropriations and Chair of
Transportation. He served for four years as the Assistant Republican
Leader and four years as the Republican Leader. He served as Tax
Commissioner from 2009–2010. He lives with Joan Nagy. He is
employed at Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) and
oversees the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, a 529
College Saving Program. He has been a member of various nonprofit
boards, including the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger,
Vermont Center for the Book, and the University of Vermont Board
of Trustees. He is on the boards of Copley Hospital and Vermont
Electric Cooperative. Member of the Senate: 2011–present. Home
Phone: 644-2297. E-mail: rawestman@gmail.com.
Senator
Richard Westman
Lamoille District

15
Senator
Jeanette White
Windham District
JEANETTE WHITE of Putney, Windham County, Democrat, was born
on May 2, 1943, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and moved to
Vermont in 1972. She received her bachelor’s degree from the
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, in political science and sociology
in 1965 and her master’s degree in Community Development and
Community Education in 1972 from Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, Illinois. She is married to Bill White and they have two
grown children, Laurie and Josh. Member of the Senate: 2003–present.
Home Phone: 387-4379. Post Office Address: 35A Old Depot Road,
Putney, VT 05346.

MEMBERS OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2017–2018

18
Representative
David Ainsworth
Windsor-Orange-1
DAVID AINSWORTH of Royalton, Windsor County, Republican.
Occupation: Dairy farmer/vegetable grower and marketer. Educated at
South Royalton High School, VT; UVM Burlington, VT (B.S. 1977).
He is married to Peggy L. (Bowin) Ainsworth. They are guardians
over their two granddaughters, Robyn and Alexandra. Memberships:
Justice of Peace since 1980; Royalton Town Moderator 1990–2016;
Cabot/Agri-Mark Resolution Committee since 1993; Farm Bureau
member 39+ years, Windsor County President, VT Farm Bureau
Executive Board 2015–present; Alpha Gamma Rho and Alpha Zeta
member. Member of the House 2007–2010. Home Phone: 763-8017.
Post Office Address: 86 VT Rte. 14, So. Royalton, VT, 05068.
Representative
Janet Ancel
Washington-6
JANET ANCEL of Calais, Washington County, Democrat, was born
April 7 in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Calais. Attended
Maple Corner grade school in Calais and Montpelier High School.
Occupation: Attorney (inactive). Received a BA in English from
Stanford University in California (1967) and a master’s in social work
and law degree from the University of Denver in Colorado (1973 and
1979). Admitted to Vermont Bar in 1980. Served for many years as
legal staff for the Legislature and later as Legal Counsel to Governor
Howard Dean (1993–2000) and Vermont Tax Commissioner (2000–
2002). Married to Stephen Reynes, a former member of the House.
Janet has two adult sons and three grandsons. She is a former Board
member of Federation of Tax Administrators and a current member of
the State and Local Tax Task Force and the Budget and Revenue
Committee of NCSL. She is also a member of Historic Kents Corner,
Inc. and is a volunteer at the Adamant Coop. Member of the House:
2005–present. Cell Phone: 249-1660. Mailing Address: PO Box 123,
Calais, VT 05648. E-mail: janetancel@gmail.com
Representative
Robert Bancroft
Chittenden-8-3
ROBERT L. BANCROFT of Westford, Chittenden County,
Republican, was born on September 29, 1947, in Barre, VT. He
became a resident of current town on May 31, 1983. He graduated
with a BA from the University of Vermont and received an MS from
UVM. He received a PhD in 1981 from Purdue University. He is a
self-employed economist. He has three children, one girl and two
boys. He served on the Westford Selectboard for 12 years and on the
Westford School Board for two years. Mailing Address: 405
Brookside Rd., Westford, VT 05494. Phone: 879-7386.

19
JOHN L. BARTHOLOMEW of Hartland, Windsor County,
Democrat, was born in Philadelphia on February 14, 1955, and
became a resident of present town in 2005. Occupation: retired
veterinarian; former Chief of Research Animal Management Branch
of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at
the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD); retired Captain (O-
6), U.S. Public Health Service. He is married to Julianne Harden and
has one daughter, Marta. Education: University of Oklahoma,
zoology and botany major; Oklahoma State University, BS in
agriculture (1980) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1981).
Member, American Veterinary Medical Association; Hartland Boards
of Civil Authority and Abatement (Justice of the Peace), Boards of
Directors of Upper Valley Music Center and Revels North. Home
Phone: 436-2151. Post Office Address: 23 Linden Road, Hartland,
VT 05048.
Representative
John
Bartholomew
Windsor-1
FRED K. BASER of Bristol, Addison County, spent his youth in New
Jersey. He graduated from Colgate University and began his career
working for a company in New York City. While in the city, he
helped establish the East Harlem Little League. In 1975, after his
employer closed their doors, Fred and his wife, Marian, moved to
Vermont to be close to Marian’s family. Marian and Fred had three
sons. Today they enjoy five grandchildren. Among the activities he
enjoys are skiing, hiking, golf, fishing, and visiting the grandkids.
Past and current organizations that Fred is and has been associated
with include: Porter Medical Center Board; Bristol Selectboard
member and chair; Addison County Economic Development Board;
Chair of Bristol’s Revolving Loan Fund; President of the Addison
County Chamber of Commerce; President of the Addison County
chapter of Habitat for Humanity; Patricia Hannaford Career Center
School Board; Justice of the Peace; and Fred is Bristol’s Town
Moderator. Fred is a Certified Financial Planner® and established
Bristol Financial Services Inc. in 1987.
Representative
Fred Baser
Addison-4

20
Representative
Lynn Batchelor
Orleans-1
LYNN BATCHELOR of Derby Line in Orleans County, a
Republican, was born in New York State. She became a full-time
resident of Vermont in 2001. Previous to that she and her husband,
David A. Batchelor, a native of Derby Line, lived in Florida with their
three sons. While in Florida she owned her own medical collections
business. Since moving to Vermont she has earned a diploma from the
American Academy of Certified Coders. She recently retired from the
Department of Corrections after 10 years of service. Previous to that
she was the office manager for the Occupational Health Services at
the Orleans Essex VNA & Hospice. She graduated from White Plains
High School, White Plains, New York, attended Keuka College in
Penn Yan, New York, as well as St. Mary’s School of Nursing in
Newburgh, New York. Memberships include; Daughters of the Nile,
Eastern Star, past president of the local chapter of the American
Academy of Certified Coders. Member of the House: 2011–present.
Phone: 873-3006. Post Office Address: 165 Beach Street, Derby Line,
VT 05830.
Representative
Scott Beck
Caledonia-3
SCOTT BECK of St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Republican, born
in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Upon completion of his undergraduate
work at the University of Washington, he entered the United States
Navy, and served until 1999 as a Naval Flight Officer. Scott made
three extended deployments, and earned two Air Medals for combat
missions flown in Bosnia and Somalia. He was also the recipient of a
Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy Achievement medals, and
numerous campaign medals and ribbons. Scott has flown over 1,100
hours in jet aircraft and has nearly 300 carrier arrested landings. Upon
completing MEd degrees in social science and mathematics at The
Citadel, Scott returned to St. Johnsbury with his family in 1999 and
became an educator, dorm counselor, and coach at St. Johnsbury
Academy; he continues to work at the Academy today and teaches
American history, American government, and economics. In 2005,
Scott and his wife, Joelle, opened the Boxcar & Caboose, an
independent bookstore in downtown St. Johnsbury. He has been the
chair of the Downtown Improvement Commission and Executive
Director of the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce. During his time
with the Chamber, Scott initiated the Discover St. Johnsbury
campaign, assisted with the reconstruction of the fire-damaged 1879
Building, and initiated the St. Johnsbury promotional film series. He
is the lead organizer of the St. Johnsbury World Maple Festival,
coaches youth baseball, and is a champion for excellent education for
all of St. Johnsbury’s youth. Scott and Joelle reside with their six
children in St. Johnsbury.

21
PAUL S. BELASKI of Windsor, Windsor County, Democrat, was
born in Bellows Falls, VT but moved to Windsor when one year of
age. He attended Windsor Elementary and High School and then went
to the University of Pennsylvania for a Bachelor of Arts and Harvard
University for a Master’s of Architecture. Occupation: Architect from
1990 to present, but as many Vermonters has also worked multiple
“extra” jobs, including carpenter, food service in area restaurants, and
the Windsor Zoning Administrator 2005–2012 with added
responsibility as Acting Town Administrator 2006–2008. As well as
singing at St. Francis of Assisi, Windsor and St. Denis, Hanover, NH
churches, he’s often hiking, swimming, and occasionally on the stage
in a number of musical theater performances. Home and Business
Address: 56 Belaski Road, Windsor, VT 05089. He can be reached at
pbelaski@leg.state.vt.us
Representative
Paul Belaski
Windsor-1
STEVE BEYOR of Highgate Springs, Franklin County, Republican,
was born on February 14, 1947, in Highgate, Vermont. He graduated
from Highgate High School in 1964. Steve is retired from Energizer,
where he worked as a tool- and diemaker. He was a member of the
Vermont National Guard from 1965–1971. Member of: American
Legion Color Guard; NRA; Knights of Columbus (Swanton Chapter).
He is a former President of the Snowmobile Club. Steve has been a
Little League and Babe Ruth coach and has instructed hunter safety
classes for more than 25 years. He is married to Dianne Beyor, and
they have a daughter and a son. Post Office Address: PO Box 287,
Highgate Springs, VT 05460. Representative
Steve Beyor
Franklin-5
CLEMENT “CLEM” J. BISSONNETTE of Winooski, Chittenden
County, Democrat, was born and raised in Winooski. Clem graduated
from Champlain College in 1965 with an associate’s degree in
business management to begin a career with IBM in Essex Junction
which lasted 36 years. Clem married Sharon in 1979, and they have
one grown son, Mitchell. They are members of St. Francis Xavier
Parish in Winooski. Clem has served the City of Winooski in the
following capacities: Chair of the Winooski Housing Authority;
Deputy Mayor of the City Council; Chair of the Winooski School
Board Trustees; Mayor of Winooski; oversaw the largest Downtown
Redevelopment in the State of Vermont; and Interim City Manager.
Member of the House: 2007–present. E-mail: Clembi@comcast.net.
Postal Address: 11 Dufresne Drive, Winooski, Vermont 05404. Home
Phone: 655-9527.
Representative
Clement
Bissonnette
Chittenden-6-7

22
Representative
Thomas Bock
Windsor-3-1
THOMAS BOCK of Chester, Windsor County, was born and raised
in Sauk Rapids, a small rural town in Minnesota. He attended St.
Cloud University where he earned a BA in political science and
minored in economics. Tom moved to Chester, Vermont in 1971. He
became vice president and managed the Chester business operations
of Readex Microprint/Newsbank, and subsequently owned and
operated Vermont T’s, Inc., a small Vermont business, for 21 years,
retiring in 2009. Soon after he arrived in Chester he became involved
in local government. He served on the Budget Committee, the Board
of Civil Authority, the Chester Selectboard for 10 years, and served as
chair of the Chester Planning Commission for 25 years. He is
currently chair of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning
Commission. He is married to Mariette Boni Bock and is the father of
three adult children and grandfather of five.
Representative
Bill Botzow
Bennington-1
BILL BOTZOW of Pownal, Bennington County, Democrat, was born
September 29, 1945, in New York City, and became a resident of
Pownal on January 1, 1982, with his wife, Ruth. He is a visual artist
who has combined a career in the arts with public service. He is a
Trustee of the University of Vermont. He has served on the boards of
the Vermont Arts Council, Governor’s Institutes of Vermont, the
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the New England
Foundation for the Arts and River Network. He received a BA in 1968
from Princeton University, then ran an after-school tutoring program
in East Harlem, NYC, from 1968–70 before working in rural West
Virginia, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, and Vermont. Member of the
House: 2003–present. Home Phone: 447-7717. E-mail:
bbotzow@leg.state.vt.us and botzow@sover.net. Post Office Address:
1225 South Stream Road, Bennington, VT 05201.
Representative
Patrick Brennan
Chittenden-9-2
PATRICK M. BRENNAN of Colchester, Chittenden County,
Republican, was born on June 11, 1953, in Burlington, Vermont, and
became a resident of present town in 1985. He was educated at Rice
Memorial High School, South Burlington, Vermont. He is married to
Mary Elizabeth (Beauvais) Brennan and they have one daughter and
one son. Organizations: Colchester Civil Board; Justice of the Peace;
past Colchester High School Key Communicator; ST. Chairman,
BPOE Special Activities; Past CMS Girls’ Softball Coach. Member
of: Colchester Republican Committee; past member, Citizens
Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain; Chair of House Committee
on Transportation; former member, Colchester Planning Committee.
Member of the House: 2003–present. Home Phone: 863-3773. Post
Office Address: 96 Tanglewood Drive, Colchester, VT 05446.

23
TIM BRIGLIN of Thetford, Orange County, Democrat, was born
April 7, 1966 and grew up in Greenwich, NY. He is married to Laurel
Mackin and they have two young boys. Representative Briglin
graduated with honors from Cornell University in 1988 with a degree
in History and Government. In 1995, Tim received an MBA from
Stanford University. Tim is a managing partner at Tuckerman Capital,
a firm he cofounded in 2001 to invest in and grow small
manufacturing businesses. Tuckerman Capital has invested in 18
companies across the U.S. Before starting Tuckerman, Tim was a
partner at Green Mountain Partners of Quechee, prior to which he
worked in corporate finance at Morgan Stanley in New York. In the
early-1990s, he worked in Washington, DC for Senator Patrick Leahy
as his legislative assistant on budget, tax, and economic issues. Tim
has been involved in Vermont politics for over 20 years working on
multiple Leahy, Welch, Markowitz, and Obama campaigns. Tim was
on the Vermont delegation to the 2008 and 2012 Democratic National
Conventions and has been the Treasurer of the VT Democratic Party.
He served for ten years on the Thetford Academy board of trustees,
including three years as the president. Currently, Tim is a director of
the Vermont Economic Progress Council, Vermont Parks Forever,
Mascoma Savings Bank, and Vital Communities’ Corporate Council.
Member of the House: 2015–present. Home Phone: 785-2414. Home
Address: 459 Tucker Hill Road, Thetford Center, VT 05075.
Representative
Tim Briglin
Windsor-
Orange-2
CYNTHIA BROWNING of Arlington in Bennington County was
born in Rochester, New York, on April 18, 1953, and became a full
time resident of Arlington in 1998. Occupation: Executive Director of
the Batten Kill Watershed Alliance. Education: Bennington College
in Bennington, VT (BA, 1979); University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
MI (MA/PhD, 1989). Member of: Arlington Selectboard, Arlington
Zoning Board of Adjustment, Bennington Regional Transportation
Advisory Committee. She taught Economics at Bates College, Smith
College, and Williams College. She is a Democrat. Member of the
House: 2007–present. Home Phone: 375-9019. Post Office Address:
PO Box 389, Arlington, VT 05250. Representative
Cynthia Browning
Bennington-4

24
Representative
Jessica Brumsted
Chittenden-5-2
JESSICA BRUMSTED is an experienced government relations
professional who started her career in Senator Jim Jeffords’ Vermont
office in the late 80s before serving as Director of Government
Relations at then Fletcher Allen Health Care in the mid- to late-90s.
She left Fletcher Allen to serve as Director of the Area Health
Education Centers (AHEC) Program at the University of Vermont for
several years before resigning to focus her time and energy on raising
her four children. For the last decade, she has been an active
community volunteer, serving on numerous committees and boards.
Currently, she is a member of the United Way Women’s Leadership
Council and Champlain College’s Single Parents program. She is a
member of UVM Medical Center’s Auxiliary; she recently chaired the
fundraising committee for UVM Medical Center’s new Mother-Baby
inpatient unit, which opened in August 2015; and she volunteers her
time to help the Development Office at UVM Medical Center raise
money for programs and facilities on an ongoing basis. She also is a
member of the External Advisory Committee for the Visiting Nurses
Association and has served on the VNA’s board, and she is a member
of the University of Vermont Integrative Health in Primary Care
Advisory Committee. Jessica grew up in Warwick, RI. A 30-year
resident of Vermont, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political
science and economics and a master’s in public administration from
the University of Vermont. She is married to John Brumsted, CEO of
UVM Medical Center and UVM Health Network, and she is the proud
parent of four children who range in age from 17 to 23. She also has
three stepchildren, and five stepgrandchildren.

25
SUSAN M. BUCKHOLZ of West Hartford, Windsor County,
Democrat, received a B.A. in History from Yale College in 1977 and
attended Boston University School of Law for one year, after which
she worked and traveled in the U.S. and abroad until 1987. Sue
moved to Vermont in 1990 to start a four-year clerkship with the firm
of Teachout, Brooks & McNally and was admitted to practice law in
Vermont in June 1995. Occupation: attorney at Law Offices of Susan
M. Buckholz, P.C., former adjunct instructor at Community College
of Vermont and Vermont Law School. She is married to Jim Dow and
they have one grown child between them and two grandsons.
Community Board Service: Current: Hartford Dismas House Board
and Dismas of Vermont statewide board. Historical: Emerge Family
Advocates (2012–2013), Valley Court Diversion Programs (2007–
2009, Secretary), Next Steps/Stepping Stone Peer Support (2007–
2016, Secretary, President), Lebanon Opera House (2005–2008),
Children’s Literacy Foundation (2003–2009, President), Northern
New England District of the Unitarian Universalist Association
(2008–2013, Secretary, President), Vermont Parents Representation
Center, Inc. (2011–2013, Founding Member, President), Upper
Valley Food Coop (2001–2003), First Universalist Society of
Hartland (2001–2002 and 2015, President), Women’s Information
Services (WISE) (1996–2002, Secretary, President), and Vermont
ACLU (early 1990s). Professional Recognitions: Certificate of
Appreciation from the Vermont Guardian Ad Litem Program (2008,
2011), Vermont Supreme Court and Family Court Oversight
Committee Recognition Award for dedication and service to the
Vermont Family Court (2008), Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award,
Vermont Bar Association for pro bono service to children and
families in Windsor County (2003). Profession and Public Service:
Justice for Children Task Force of the Vermont Supreme Court
(2008–2013), Family Division Oversight Committee of the Vermont
Supreme Court/Judiciary, Town and School Moderator, Hartford,
Vermont (2002-2007). Many publications. Service on Standing
Committees: Agriculture and Forestry. Address: 973 Old Town Farm
Road, White River Junction, Vermont 05001. Home Phone: 802-291-
9063. E-mail: sbuckholz@leg.state.vt.us.
Representative
Susan Buckholz
Windsor-4-1

26
Representative
Tom Burditt
Rutland-2
TOM BURDITT was born August 18, 1956 in Rutland, VT. He now
resides in West Rutland. Tom is a proud 12th generation Vermonter
who graduated from Rutland High School in 1974. He has two
children, a daughter, Heather, and a son, Shane. He is also the proud
grandfather of three grandsons, Skylar, Milo, and Phoenix, and father-
in-law of TJ Phillips. All the aforementioned reside in Seattle, WA.
Heather and TJ are gifted home educating parents and Shane was a
Special Forces Green Beret Medic. Shane now partners with his
brother-in-law TJ as owners and operators of Capes and Powers IT
Consultants of West Seattle. Tom was a partner in Vaillancourt Tree-
Landscape in Pittsford, VT for 24 years from 1977–2001. He has
owned and operated Tom Burditt’s Rx Lawn systems since 2002.
Some of his experiences and affiliations have included Town of West
Rutland Selectman (2005–2006), Rutland High School Varsity
Wrestling Coach (1997-2001), International Society of Arboriculture
(1977–2001), Elm Research Institute (1977–2001), Vermont State
Certified Pesticides Applicator (1977–Present), Business Network
International (2002), Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, Rutland
South Rotary, Logistics Chair of Rutland’s Relay for Life (2005),
Member and Board of Directors Rutland County Pro Business
Coalition (2008–2010). His contact information is: State House
Phone: (800) 322-5616. E-mail: tburditt@leg.state.vt.us. Mailing
Address: 1118 Clarendon Ave., West Rutland, VT 05777.
Representative
Mollie Burke
Windham-2-2
MOLLIE S. BURKE of Brattleboro, Windham County,
Progressive/Democrat grew up in Buffalo, NY, and on the Niagara
River in Canada. She has a BA in political science from Marymount
College, including two years of undergraduate and graduate study at
the London School of Economics. She later embarked on a career in
the arts, and received a Master of Fine Arts from Goddard College in
2007. Since moving to Vermont in 1970 Burke has been active in the
Brattleboro community as an artist and teacher of both art and figure
skating. She is founder and director of Art in the Neighborhood, an
organization that provides tuition-free art classes to children in low-
income housing communities. She also works in a number of Vermont
schools as a juried Vermont Arts Council artist-in-residence. Current
work with students includes an artistic cartography project about
Vermont. Burke has been a Brattleboro Town Meeting representative
since 1990. Member of the House: 2008–present and has served on
the Committee on Transportation. Burke is married to theater director
and writer Peter Gould. They have three grown children and three
grandchildren. Home Address: 62 West Street, Brattleboro, VT
05301. Phone: 257-4844. E-mail: mburke@leg.state.vt.us.

27
WILLIAM “BILL” CANFIELD of Fair Haven, Rutland County,
Republican. Born in Rutland. Occupation, self-employed
Barber/Stylist. Educated in Fair Haven, graduate of Fair Haven Union
High School. He and his late wife, Mary, have four children (two
daughters and two sons) and five grandchildren. Elected as Justice of
the Peace 20 years. Past Town Moderator. Served in the U.S. Navy
for four years (Vietnam Era). Member of American Legion Post 49
for 42 years, Knights of Columbus Council 810 for 30 years,
Fraternal Order of the Eagles AERIE 3907 for 20 years, Castleton
Lions Club, Lodge #75 Free and Accepted Masons of Fair Haven.
Appointed to Joint Energy Committee (2009, 2010) Appointed to
Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council (2007–present), House
Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (2005–2014), House
Committee on Ways and Means (2015–present), Member of House:
2005–present. Home Phone: 265-4428. Post Office Address: 12 Pine
Street, Fair Haven, VT 05743.
Representative
William Canfield
Rutland-3
STEPHEN A. CARR of Brandon, Rutland County, Democrat was
born on November 13, 1949 in Rutland, VT. He became a resident of
Brandon in 1953. Steve graduated from Otter Valley Union High
School, Brandon, VT (1967); Castleton State College, Castleton, VT
(BA history/psychology, 1972); and has taken various advanced
financial courses from the American Institute of Banking. He is self-
employed as a consultant to small businesses. Previously a member
of: Selectboard; Zoning Board; Porter Hospital Board; Board member
and Treasurer Neshobe Golf Club, Inc.; President of Rutland Area
Visiting Nurses. Currently, he is the President of the Brandon
Industrial Corporation and is a Board Member and Treasurer of the
Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace Community Center, Inc. Steve is
married to Jane Carr, they have a daughter, a son, and four
grandchildren. Post Office Address: 27 East Prospect Street, Brandon,
VT 05733.
Representative
Stephen Carr
Rutland-6

28
Representative
RobinChestnut-
Tangerman
Rutland-
Bennington
ROBIN CHESNUT-TANGERMAN of Middletown Springs, Rutland
County, Progressive/Democrat, was born June 14, 1960. His early
childhood was in New Hampshire and Vermont; the family then
moved to a farm in western New York State. After a year in Scotland,
he earned a BA from Hamilton College and did graduate work in
Education at UMass Amherst and Castleton State College. He also
earned a mediation degree from Woodbury College. Since 1991, he
and his wife, Melissa, have lived in Middletown Springs where they
home schooled their daughters, Jeni and Malindi. Robin has owned
and operated Talisman Woodwork for 25 years, doing remodeling
with a focus on energy efficiency and historical renovation.
Community involvement includes the Middletown Springs
Selectboard (10 years), Fire Department (11 years), Building
Committee, Energy Committee, founder of town newsletter, board
member and an organizer of SolarFest (renewable energy and
sustainable living fair, for 16 years), and environmental page
columnist for Rutland Herald/Times Argus (5 years). He is a Vermont
licensed educator at The Tutorial Center at Smokey House in Danby,
working with at-risk teens, and an adjunct faculty at Green Mountain
College in the Renewable Energy and Ecological Design Program
(REED). Home Phone: 235-2050. Home Address: 72 Sundog Lane,
Middletown Springs, VT 05757.
E-mail: rchesnut-tangerman@leg.state.vt.us.
Representative
Annmarie
Christensen
Windsor-2
ANNMARIE CHRISTENSEN lives in the Village of Perkinsville in
Weathersfield. She received a BA from Misericordia University and a
MS from Marlboro College. Occupation: Journalist, having been a
reporter and news editor at the Valley News, Rutland Herald, and
VPR. Publisher of an international newspaper on HIV/AIDs best
practices and innovations in developing countries as director of
publications for the Global Health Council, based in White River
Junction, VT and Washington, D.C. Director of communications for
The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice,
which researches best practices in regard to domestic health systems.
Two children, Meredith and J. Max, and partner, Dallas Carey. Home
Phone: 802-263-9530. Mailing Address: 16 Old Center St.,
Perkinsville, VT 05151. E-mail: anmar@tds.net

29
KEVIN “COACH” CHRISTIE of Hartford, Windsor County,
Democrat, was born April 7, 1950, in Hartford, CT, and moved to
Hartford, VT, at age 23, in 1973. He attended parochial schools
through high school and graduated from Eastern CT State University
(BA, 1972), active in student government and the performing arts. He
moved to Quechee, VT, to open an automotive business (1973–1980).
He is married to Mary C. Christie and they have two daughters,
Amber and Angela. Started coaching track at Hartford High School in
1980 and then started coaching football and teaching at Hartford
Technical Career Ctr. in 1986, received his MEd in Ed.
Admin./Supervision in 1990. He was named Vermont Technical
Education Teacher of the Year 1992. Technical Center
Director/Principal at Randolph Technical Career Center in Randolph,
VT, 1994–2001. He began his Doctoral Degree in Ed. Admin. and is
almost completed. Then was an automotive Service Director and then
Therapeutic Case Manager for youth in foster care for six years, he
has served on Vermont Human Rights Commission, Boys & Girls
Club, Vocal Soloist, VT. Special Olympics, Ed. Advisor, Correctional
Facility, Chair VT/Rehab. Advisory Council, VT Symphony Chorus,
Nat. Rep. AVA Resolutions Comm., Hartford Housing Authority.
Held certifications; Principal, K–12, Superintendent, Technical
Center Director, Auto. Tech. Teacher, NOCTI, ASE Cert. He is a
Notary Public, has served on the Hartford School Board since 2007
and was the Chair. Attends Saint Anthony’s Church in White River
Jct. Address: 682 Christian St., White River Jct., VT 05001. Phone:
295-1066. E-mail: kevinc@kevinchristie.org.
Representative
Kevin Christie
Windsor-4-2

30
Representative
Brian Cina
Chittenden-6-4
BRIAN CINA of Burlington, Chittenden County,
Progressive/Democratic, was born and raised in northeastern New
Jersey. He moved to New Hampshire in 1994 to attend Dartmouth
College, where he was a Senior Fellow and graduated with an A.B. in
Music. In 1998, he moved to Burlington, Vermont and served as an
Americorps member at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. From
1999-2003, Cina continued working in human services, providing
restorative justice and outreach to youth and families. From 2003-
2005, he attended the University of Vermont, earning a Master of
Social Work degree. From 2005–2010, Cina worked at Transitional
Services for Youth and Families, providing family support services
and supervising the social services program. Since 2010, he has
operated a private practice in clinical social work/psychotherapy
located in downtown Burlington. Cina is a community organizer and
activist. He cofounded ISGOOD (Isham Street Gardening and Other
Optimistic Doings), a neighborhood organization that has reduced
crime through gardening and other community service activities since
2005. Cina has served as a School Board member from 2014–2017.
He led the search for a new superintendent in 2015 and is currently
the chair of the Finance Committee. Cina is also a musician and
performance artist. Phone: 802-448-2178.
E-mail: bcina@leg.state.vt.us. Address: 12-1/2 Isham Street,
Representative
Selene Colburn
Chittenden-6-4
SELENE COLBURN was born and raised in Burlington, where she
currently serves as East District City Councilor. She is an Associate
Library Professor at the University of Vermont with a secondary
appointment in the Department of Music and Dance. She has served
on the boards of Vermont Community Access Media, Burlington’s
Channel 17, Grass Roots Art and Community Effort (GRACE),
Cradle to Grave Arts, the Fletcher Free Library Commission, the
Vermont Library Association, and the Burlington Parallel Justice
Commission. In 2002 she cofounded Vermont Access to Reproductive
Freedom and has served as a board chair, member, volunteer and
fundraiser for the organization. She received a BA in dance from
Bennington College in 1991 and a Master’s degree in library and
information science from Simmons College in 1999. Prior to her
employment at UVM, she worked in libraries and archives at the
Shelburne Museum, the St. Johnsbury Archives Collaborative, and
WGBH in Boston. She lives with her husband, Chris Burns, and her
daughters, Clio and Ione.

31
JAMES O’NEILL CONDON of Colchester, Chittenden County,
Democrat, was born on May 19, 1958, in New London, Connecticut,
and became a resident of present town in 1993. Occupation:
Executive Director, Vermont Association of Broadcasters. He is
married to Ginny McGehee and they have one son, Thomas. He was
educated at the University of Connecticut, Storrs (BA, History, 1981).
He is past president of the VT Associated Press Broadcasters
Association and former Vermont AP Newscaster and Sportscaster of
the Year. Member of the Colchester Economic Development
Advisory Committee. Member of the House: 2005–present. Home
Phone: 655-5764. Post Office Address: 500A Dalton Drive,
Colchester, VT 05446.
Representative
James Condon
Chittenden-9-1
PETER CONLON was born in Barre and raised in Montpelier,
graduating from Montpelier High School in 1982 and Dartmouth
College in 1986. He and his wife, Mary, then served as Peace Corps
volunteers in Paraguay before settling in Cornwall in 1990. They have
three sons. He was a reporter and news editor of the Addison
Independent newspaper in Middlebury through 2004, then worked for
nearly a decade as a dairy labor specialist throughout New England.
Since 2014, he has owned and operated Vermont Move Management
and Home Inventory. He is a member of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire
Department and the newly unified Addison Central School District
board. He is former president of Friends of Cornwall School and
Champlain Valley Little League.
Representative
Peter Conlon
Addison-2

32
Representative
Daniel Connor
Franklin-6
DANIEL F. CONNOR of Fairfield, Vermont, is a second-term
member of the “People’s House” for the towns of Bakersfield,
Fairfield, and Fletcher (Franklin District #6). Franklin County is the
heartland for Vermont dairy and maple syrup production. He attended
Fairfield Center School, Central Catholic High School, and graduated
from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Vermont. He received his
“practical education” on the farms of W. Robert Howrigan and
Henry J. Magnan. He is passionate about the working landscape and
sustainable agriculture. He understands that the dairy industry
provides the infrastructure for diversified agriculture in Vermont. Dan
graduated from VTC in 1979 and the University of Vermont in 1981
with a BS in agricultural science/education. He is the Executive
Director for the Vermont Beef Industry Council (VBIC), one of 44
qualified state beef councils across the United States. The VBIC is the
only beef council in New England. His career began at the Vermont
Agency of Agriculture, Montpelier, as Dairy Marketing Specialist
responsible for sensory evaluation, marketing, and promotion of dairy
products. He resigned in 1990 as the Agency’s Dairy Marketing Chief
to start Connor & Company for agricultural and small business
marketing and promotion. He was Vice President of Vermont Country
Milk with its bottling plant located on the UVM campus. He was
responsible for the research, design, marketing, and promotion of
high-quality milk and cream in glass bottles. He is the proud father of
two adult sons and on October 31, 2014, he became a very proud
granddad. Phone: 578-3014, E-mail: housedanc@gmail.com or
dconnor@leg.state.vt.us. Address: 4367 Route 36, Fairfield, VT
05445.
Representative
Chip Conquest
Orange-Caledonia
CHIP CONQUEST of Wells River, Orange County, Democrat, was
born on October 17, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio, and became a Wells
River resident in 1990. He grew up in Shelburne, VT; attended UVM,
from which he holds a bachelor’s in English, and The Evergreen State
College, in Washington, from which he received a master’s in
teaching. He is a farmer and carpenter, married to Fay Homan and
they have a son and a daughter. He is a member of the Blue Mountain
Union school board and chair of the Baldwin Memorial Library board.
Office Address: 409 Bible Hill Road, Wells River, VT 05081.

33
SARAH LOUISE COPELAND HANZAS of Bradford, Orange
County, Democrat, was born on July 9, 1970, in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Occupation: Owner of The Local Buzz Cafe in Bradford and
secondary science teacher at Valley Vista in Bradford. She was
educated at the University of Vermont (BA history, 1992; geology,
1993) and earned her teaching certificate through the Upper Valley
Teacher institute in 1995. She is married to John P. Hanzas, Jr. and
they have three daughters. She is vice chair of the Health Insurance
Committee of National Conference of Insurance Legislators. Sarah is
a 2006 graduate of Vermont Leadership Institute. She attends Grace
United Methodist Church, where she serves on the Staff-Parish
Relations Committee. Member of the House: 2005–present. Home
Phone: 222-4064. Post Office Address: PO Box 43, Bradford, VT
05033.
Representative
Sarah Copeland-
Hanzas
Orange-2
TIMOTHY R. CORCORAN II, of Bennington, Bennington County,
Democrat, was born in Bennington, Vermont, on March 17, 1973, and
has been a lifelong resident. Occupation: Employed by Hoisington
Realty. He was educated at Mt. Anthony Union High School,
Bennington, Vermont; Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont
(BA, political science, 1996). He is married to Corrie A. Corcoran.
Office Address: 8 Corey Lane, Bennington, VT 05201.
Representative
Timothy
Corcoran
Bennington-2-1
LARRY “COOPER” CUPOLI of Rutland, Rutland County,
Republican, was born in Rutland, Vermont, on April 14, 1947.
Occupation: Salesman for Kinney Motors. Education: Graduated from
Mount St. Joseph Academy, Rutland, VT in 1965 and received a
business degree from Southern Vermont College, Bennington, VT in
1967. Larry is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, past President of the
Pico Ski Club. Member of American Legion Post 31 and a 42-year
member of Elks (BPOE 345) Rutland, VT. He is married to Patricia
Cupoli, they have two girls and one boy. Post Office Address: 57
Piedmont Pond Road, Rutland, VT 05701.
Representative
Larry Cupoli
Rutland-5-2

34
Representative
Maureen Dakin
Chittenden-9-2
MAUREEN PIETRYKA DAKIN Colchester, Chittenden County,
was born in Proctor, VT on March 17, 1950. She was raised and
educated in West Rutland. She is the widow of Robert E. Dakin and
has two children, Melanie and Patrick, a grandson, Zachary, four
sisters, and four brothers. Maureen graduated from UVM (political
science) and Trinity College (secondary education). Democrat.
Retired. Served on Colchester School Board (Clerk, Vice Chair).
Justice of the Peace (20 years). Currently Chair, Board of Civil
Authority. Longtime member of the Friends of the Burnham
Memorial Library and Colchester Historical Society. Board, VNA of
Chittenden/Grand Isle Counties. VT State Board of Dental Examiners
(public member); VT State Human Services Board; Associate, VT
Leadership Institute, Snelling Center for Government; Toll Fellow,
Council of State Governments. Member of the House: 1997–2004,
2015–present. Committees on Agriculture, on Commerce (Clerk, Vice
Chair), on Appropriations. Member and Chair, Legislative Committee
on Administrative Rules. Member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Representative
David Deen
Windham-4
DAVID L. DEEN of Westminster, Windham County, Democrat, was
born in Abington, Pennsylvania, on December 20, 1944, and became
a resident of Westminster in 1972. Occupation: River Steward
Emeritus for the Connecticut River Watershed Council. He graduated
from Stamford High School, Stamford, Connecticut; University of
Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (chemistry major, English minor,
1968 no degree); Antioch New England Graduate School (MS,
environmental science, 1996). He is married to Allison Millett Deen.
They have one daughter, their son having died in 2008. They have
five surviving grandchildren and have two great-grandchildren.
Member of Trout Unlimited, Bass Anglers Association, Vermont
American Civil Liberties Union, Ducks Unlimited, Atlantic Salmon
Association, International Game Fish Association, Vermont River
Conservancy, Vermont Community Foundation, Common Cause of
Vermont, and Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center. Member
of the Senate: 1987–88. Member of the House: 1991–present.
Religious preference: Protestant. Session Address: State House,
Montpelier, VT 05601. Session Phone: (800) 322-5616. Home Phone:
869-3116. E-mail: strictlytrout@vermontel.net. Post Office Address:
5607 Westminster West Road, Putney, VT 05346.

35
DENNIS J. DEVEREUX of Mount Holly, Rutland County,
Republican, was born on March 10, 1951, in Rutland, Vermont, and is
a descendant of the first male child born in Jackson’s Gore in 1783.
He has two grown sons, and retired after a 33-year career in the
Ludlow-Rutland GE aircraft engine business. He was educated at the
GE Apprentice Program, and also graduated from Johnson State
College. Dennis has served his town as a JP, member of the local
Planning Commission, and is a town cemetery commissioner.
Currently, he is president of the Mount Holly Community Historical
Museum, and serves as treasurer of Colfax Lodge #21, Ripley Camp
#4 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, and is on the
Vermont Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. Present member of
Black River Academy Museum in Ludlow, Black River Rod and Gun
Club, Crown Point Road Association, Vermont Old Cemetery
Association, Mount Holly Community Association, and the Vermont
Historical Society. Member of the House: 2007–present. Home
Phone: 259-2460. Mailing Address: PO Box 1, Route 155, Belmont,
VT 05730.
Representative
Dennis Devereux
Rutland-
Windsor-2
EILEEN “LYNN” G. DICKINSON of St. Albans Town, Franklin
County, Republican, was born on October 8, 1949 in Teaneck, New
Jersey and became a resident of present town in 1973. Occupation:
business manager at Dickinson & Branon Dental Care. She was
educated at John F. Kennedy High School in Katonah, New York, and
at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. She is married to Richard
Dickinson and they have three grown children, two girls and one son.
Owner with husband of a farm in St. Albans Town that raises Angus
beef cattle. Formerly a realtor with Poquette & Bruley and a member
of the following organizations: Advisory Board of the Community
College of Vermont in Franklin County; Franklin-Grand Isle Mental
Health Agency Board; St. Mary’s Parish Council, as chair of
Education Committee; President of the Title I Parents Advisory
Committee for the Franklin Central Supervisory Union; President of
the Parent Teachers Organization, St. Albans City Elementary; Board
of Trustees, Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Chair for four years;
School Director of Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Union High
School District 48; Member Public Oversight Commission for
BISHCA; Legislative Trustee of the Vermont State Colleges. Member
of the House: 2009–present. Home Phone: 524-3404. Post Office
Address: 69 Button Road, St. Albans, VT 05478.
Representative
Eileen Dickinson
Franklin-3-2

36
Representative
Anne Donahue
Washington-1
ANNE DE LA BLANCHETAI DONAHUE of Northfield,
Washington County, Republican, was born on March 20, 1956, in
Burlington, Vermont, and became a resident of present town in 1990.
Occupation: News Editor, Counterpoint, Vermont Psychiatric
Survivors, Rutland. She was educated at Georgetown University Law
Center, Washington, DC, JD, 1981; Boston College, Boston, MA, BA
in political science and philosophy, 1978; attended Sorbonne, Paris,
Cours de Civilisation Francaise, 1976. Inactive member of the bar in
Vermont; Washington, DC; and New Jersey. Joint Mental Health
Oversight Committee (2003–2014); Green Mountain Care Board
Advisory Committee (2013–present); Blueprint for Health Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Advisory Committee (2010–present);
Northfield Rotary; St. John the Evangelist parish, Northfield. Member
Address: 148 Donahue Drive, Northfield, VT 05663. E-mail:
counterp@tds.net.
Representative
Johannah
Donovan
Chittenden-6-5
JOHANNAH LEDDY DONOVAN of Burlington, Chittenden
County, Democrat, was born on September 18, 1944, in Burlington,
and has been a lifelong resident. Occupation: Retired teacher,
Vermont Adult Learning. She was educated at Rice Memorial High
School, South Burlington, Vermont; Trinity College, Burlington,
Vermont (BA, 1967). She is widow of Thomas Donovan and has five
daughters, one son, and nine grandchildren. Chittenden County
Democratic Committee; Burlington City Democratic Committee;
Christ the King Parish. Member of the House: 2001–present. Home
Phone: 863-4634. Post Office Address: 38 Bayview Street,
Representative
Betsy Dunn
Chittenden-8-1
BETSY DUNN, Chittenden-8-1. I was raised in Metuchen, New
Jersey. I received my BA in Education with two minors in Biology
and Physical Education in 1971. I received my nursing degree in
1985. I moved to Essex, VT in October 1986, with my husband, Tom,
and our two daughters, Kristine and Colleen. I have worked all of that
time at the Medical Center in Burlington, most recently as a Labor
and Delivery nurse. I have served my Union as a chief steward and
my unit’s lead steward for 13 years. I have negotiated six contracts
with our administration. I am an avid gardener and I love sailing,
reading, and the theatre. I love to learn and am very creative. I am a
Progressive Democrat.

37
ALICE M. EMMONS of Springfield, Windsor County, Democrat,
was born in Springfield Vermont, on February 14, 1955. Occupation:
owner/proprietor of Lamps & Shades by Alice. She was educated in
elementary schools in Springfield, Vermont; Springfield High School,
Springfield, Vermont; University of New Hampshire, Durham, New
Hampshire (BS, 1977). Member of: Springfield Board of Civil
Authority. Member of the House: 1983–present. Home Phone:
885-5893. Post Office Address: 318 Summer Street, Springfield, VT
05156.
Representative
Alice Emmons
Windsor-3-2
PETER J. FAGAN of Rutland City, Rutland County, Republican, was
born in Rutland, Vermont, and with the exception of attendance at
college and a six-year stint in the U.S. Army has been a lifelong
resident of Rutland. Occupation: Retired from the U.S. Military. He
was educated in Rutland Catholic Schools, Louisiana State University
(BS) and U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, PA (Master of Strategic
Studies). He is married to Diane and they have one daughter and two
sons. Work experience: He retired as a colonel from the Vermont
Army National Guard with 30 years of service, six on active duty and
24 with the Vermont Guard. He commanded military units at the
company, battalion, and brigade level. Community Service: He is
currently serving his fifth term on the Rutland School Board, is a
member of the City of Rutland Pension Board, is on the Board of
Directors for Starbase Vermont, and is the Committee Chairman for
Boy Scout Troops 105 and 112. E-mail: peterfagan.vt@gmail.com.
Post Office Address: 17 Clinton Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701.
Representative
Peter Fagan
Rutland-5-1
MARTHA “MARTY” FELTUS of Lyndon, Caledonia County,
Republican, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 30, 1946.
She became a resident of Lyndon in May 1977. Martha graduated
from Will Rodgers High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma (1964), and Beloit
College, Beloit, Wisconsin (BA Spanish 1968). Martha retired from
Weidmann Electrical Technology after 27 years of working in
management positions in international sales, customer management,
and strategic improvement initiatives. She is a member of: Board of
Trustees Village of Lyndonville; Town of Lyndon Selectboard;
Lyndon Planning Commission; Corporator of Lyndon Institute; Board
Member and past President of the Northeastern Vermont
Development Association. Marty is married to Stephen Feltus, they
have one girl and one boy. Post Office Address: PO Box 963,
Lyndonville, VT 05851.
Representative
Martha Feltus
Caledonia-4

38
Representative
Rachael Fields
Bennington-2-1
RACHAEL FIELDS of Bennington, Bennington County, Democrat,
was born in Tempe, Arizona, on March 19,1980. She moved to
Bennington with her family in 1992. Rachael attended Mt. Anthony
Union High and now is a licensed Nursing Assistant. Rachael has
worked at the Vermont Veterans Home for nearly ten years, caring for
Vermont’s veterans and their spouses. She has served as a chapter
Vice President, Council member, Bylaws Committee Chair and is
currently a steward and a Trustee to the Board for the Vermont State
Employees’ Association. Rachael is married to Andrew Fields.
Representative
Robert Forguites
Windsor-3-2
ROBERT FORGUITES Born in Forest Dale, a village in the Town of
Brandon, Vermont. Grew up in Forest Dale and graduated from
Brandon High School. Served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin
Build-Up, Cuban Missile Crisis, and early Vietnam Era. Served as a
member of the Town of Brandon Board of Selectmen and the Otter
Valley Union High School Board of Directors. Member of the
Connecticut River Transit Board of Directors. Longtime member of
Rotary. Married for 32 years, with one son. His wife is now deceased.
Over 20 years’ banking experience, with positions ranging from
bookkeeper to Chairman of the Board. Over 20 years’ municipal
government experience, four years as Comptroller and 16 years as
Town Manager for the Town of Springfield, Vermont.

39
BOB FRENIER of Chelsea, Republican, grew up in Bedford,
Massachusetts and was educated in Bedford public schools and at
Tufts University. He was an Eagle Scout and served as a Marine
enlisted man and news editor of the Bedford Minuteman newspaper
before his election as a Bedford selectman at age 28. He became a
Vermont resident in 1992. Bob is a former Vermont volunteer
firefighter/EMT-I and deputy sheriff. He has remained active for
around 20 years as a Trustee of the Chelsea Health Center, where he
led the construction of Chelsea’s new $1.1 million health care facility,
and initiated (with a local pediatrician) Vermont’s first mobile dental
hygiene facility to serve children from families with low income at
eight area schools. More recently, he began Vermont’s first program
to utilize on-duty EMTs to provide nonemergency, in-home
preventive health care to seniors. He also recruited the first
commercial drug store to serve remote Chelsea in 90 years by helping
it obtain Vermont’s first license allowing the pharmacist to
communicate with the tiny store’s staff and customers via
teleconferencing. He is ecstatically married to his wife of 47 years,
Carol, with whom he has been in business for 38 years, producing
television commercials and remanufactured fire trucks. Home Phone:
685-3811. Address: 85 Town Farm Road, Chelsea, VT 05038. Home
E-mail: bobfrenier@myfairpoint.net
Representative
Bob Frenier
Orange-1
DOUGLAS GAGE is a Republican, representing District 5-4 in
Rutland City. Born in Reading, PA on May 13, 1959. Moved to
Vermont in 1976 and graduated from Northfield High School in 1977.
After high school he enrolled in Vermont Technical College where he
studied Land Surveying. After college, Douglas settled in Rutland. He
is part of a family line that goes back five generations of Vermonters.
Married to Susan (Sheldon) in 1980. They have two daughters,
Margaret and Beth. Since moving to Rutland in 1979, Douglas has
been actively involved in his community. He is an environmental
advocate, has served as PTO President to the Lincoln/Northwest
Elementary, and is currently on the Rutland City School Board. He
has been a dedicated Mentor at Marble Valley Regional Correctional
Facility for over five years. He has worked for Coca-Cola for 14
years, where he drives tractor trailer. He is a member of The Church
at Rutland.
Representative
Douglas Gage
Rutland-5-4

40
Representative
Marianna
Gamache
Franklin-4
MARIANNA GAMACHE of Swanton, Franklin County, was born in
Brooklyn, NY, and attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary and
Midwood High School. She received her BS in special education and
psychology from the State University of New York at Old Westbury
in 1985. In 1987, she joined that university as a College Admissions
Officer until moving to Florida in 1990. She was employed by Florida
Atlantic University in the same capacity and left in 1995 when she
married her husband and moved to VT. She was married for 18 years
to Paul L. Gamache of St. Albans (deceased in 2013). Until his death,
she was involved in the Gamache family movie theater business and
also owned a women’s fitness facility in Swanton and Enosburg Falls.
She belongs to the Catholic Daughters of America and is a member of
both the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Swanton) and
Immaculate Conception (St. Albans) parishes. She is a member of the
Northwest Medical Center Auxiliary, the Swanton Enhancement
Project, the Swanton Chamber of Commerce, and the Historical
Society. She was elected a Delegate to the Republican National
Convention in 2010 and to the Republican Platform Committee 2010,
2012, 2014; elected Franklin County Republican Committee Finance
Chair 2012–2014; elected as a Justice of the Peace in 2013. She has
one adult daughter from a previous marriage.
Representative
John Gannon
Windham-6
JOHN M. GANNON of Wilmington, Windham County, Democrat,
was educated at Groton School (1980), Middlebury College (B.A.
1984), and Suffolk University Law School (J.D. 1987). Admitted to
the Vermont Bar in 1988, John was an associate at Paul, Frank +
Collins in Burlington, Vermont (1987–1990) and then joined the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (1990–
2001). In 2001, he joined the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
In 2004, he also became President of the FINRA Investor Education
Foundation. He was Executive Producer of the documentary “Trick$
of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud,” which won a Telly
Award in 2010. He returned to Vermont in 2011 and with his wife,
Crista, runs Happy Dog Farm, LLC, a small poultry producer. John
serves on the Wilmington Selectboard (2015–present) and is a board
member of The Wilmington Fund VT, Inc. (2012–present),
Wilmington Works, Inc. (2013–present), and BetterInvesting, Inc.
(2011–present). He is a member of Rotary Club of Deerfield Valley,
the Wilmington Trails Committee, the Vermont Mountain Bike
Association, and the Vermont Farm Bureau. Phone: 802-490-4327.
Post Office Address: P.O. Box 1003, Wilmington, VT 05363. E-mail:
john.gannon@mac.com.

41
MARCIA GARDNER of Richmond, Chittenden County, Democrat,
was born at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois and raised in
Montpelier, Vermont. She became a resident of Richmond in 1999.
She was educated at the University of Vermont (BA) and Saint
Michael’s College (MSA). Marcia spent 19 years in State government
at the Vermont Department of Liquor Control and is a graduate of the
Vermont Certified Public Manager Program. Past community board
and committee memberships include: Richmond Conservation
Commission (2010–2011), Richmond Town Selectboard
(2009–2010), Vermont State Marketing and Promotional Partnership
(2006–2010), and the Richmond Economic Development Committee
(2004–2007). She also volunteered for the International Institute for
Peace through Tourism and is a member of Sigma Beta Delta
International Honor Society in Business, Management, and
Administration. Marcia is married to James Gardner and they have
four stepchildren, Melissa and Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica and
Loren Legacy, and three grandchildren. Home Phone: 434-2854.
E-mail: mlawrence@gmavt.net. Address: 2290 Hinesburg Road, VT
05477.
Representative
Marcia Gardner
Chittenden-1
DYLAN J. GIAMBATISTA of Essex Junction, Chittenden County,
Democrat, was in Rutland, Vermont. A lifelong Vermonter, Dylan’s
experience includes work in business, State government, and the
Vermont General Assembly, where from 2014-2016 he served as
Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House. He currently works as
Director of Outreach and Financial Literacy in the Vermont Office of
the State Treasurer. Dylan serves on the Vermont Jump$tart Coalition
Board of Directors. He is a Justice of the Peace. Dylan lives with his
wife, Candace Morgan, and their two cats.
Representative
Dylan
Giambatista
Chittenden-8-2

42
Representative
Diana Gonzalez
Chittenden-6-7
DIANA GONZÁLEZ of Winooski, Chittenden County,
Progressive/Democrat. Diana (pronounced De-ahna) holds degrees
from Western Washington University and the School for International
Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Diana is pursuing a doctorate in
Education, Leadership, and Policy at the University of Vermont, and
runs an independent consulting business, Grounds for Discourse.
Through her work at Grounds for Discourse she helps organizations
and schools create and run tailored trainings on diversity, dialogue,
and social justice. Previously, she worked in public health,
specifically addressing substance abuse prevention in Higher
Education. In January, 2014 she was elected to Vermont’s House of
Representatives after campaigning on a progressive platform of
economic justice and equity for all Vermonters. Home phone:
661.4053 Email address: DGonzalez@leg.state.vt.us
Representative
Maxine Grad
Washington-7
MAXINE GRAD of Moretown, Washington County, Democrat, was
born on August 10, 1960, in Great Neck, New York, and became a
resident of present town in 1986. Occupation: attorney/educator. She
was educated at VT Law School, South Royalton, Vermont (VT JD,
MSL, 1985); Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (MA, BA,
1982); Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership
Institute Alumna. She is the mother of three children. Member of:
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont; Kripalu Center for Yoga and
Health; Northfield Rotary Club; Governor’s Commission on Women
(past); Moretown Action Planning Committee (past); Director,
Northfield Business Professional Association (past); Bi-State Primary
Care Vermont (past); Women’s Health Steering Committee (past);
Moretown Democratic Committee; National Women’s Health
Network; Moretown and Central Vermont Regional Planning
Commissions (1987). Member of the House: 2001–present. Home
Phone: 496-7667. Post Office Address: 301 Paddy Hill Road,
Moretown, VT 05660.

43
RODNEY GRAHAM of Williamstown, Orange County, Republican,
was born and raised in Williamstown. He graduated from
Williamstown High School. He is a dairy farmer and maple sugar
producer. He served on the Williamstown School Board,
1997–2007, where he was on the transportation and policy
committees. He currently serves on the Selectboard, where he has
been a member since 2008, and served on the Public Safety Building
Committee. He is a member of the Vermont Sugar Makers
Association, Vermont Farm Bureau, Agri-Mark/Cabot Coop, and
Organic Valley Coop. Mailing Address: 859 Graham Rd,
Williamstown, VT 0 5679. Phone: 433-6127. Representative
Rodney Graham
Orange-1
ADAM M. GRESHIN of Warren, Washington County, Independent,
was born in Huntington (Long Island), New York on September 9,
1960 and became a resident of Warren in 2002. He is a partner in
Summit Ventures NE LLC, the owner of Sugarbush Resort, where he
oversees guest and community relations and sits on the executive
committee. Prior to his employment at Sugarbush, he worked for 16
years as a research analyst and lead portfolio manager in the global
bond group at Scudder Stevens & Clark in Boston. He was educated
at Bowdoin College (BA magna cum laude in romance languages and
economics, 1982) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy,
Tufts University (master of arts in law and diplomacy, 1984). He
became a Chartered Financial Analyst in 1990. Adam is married to
Anne (Cassin) Greshin, originally from Middlebury, VT, and they
have three children. Board memberships include the Warren School
Board and, formerly, the Mad River Valley Health Center Board. He
is a member of the Mad River Valley Rotary Club, the Mad River
Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Friends of the Mad River.
Adam and his family are members of the Beth Jacob Synagogue in
Montpelier. Home Phone: 583-3223. Post Office Address: 611 Eurich
Pond Road, Warren, VT 05674.
Representative
Adam Greshin
Washington-7

44
Representative
Sandy Haas
Windsor-Rutland
SANDY HAAS of Rochester, Windsor County, Progressive, was born
on May 8, 1946, in Orange, California, and became a resident of
Rochester in 1980. Occupation: lawyer in private practice (retired)
and innkeeper, The New Homestead Bed & Breakfast. She was
educated at the University of California, Berkeley, BA, 1968; JD,
1974 (Boalt Hall). Her partner is David Marmor. Member, Rochester
Planning Commission since 1982; White River Valley Players Board
of Directors, 1984–2005; Clara Martin Center Board,
1982–1998; Rochester Trustee of Public Funds, 1987–2003. Member
Address: 360 South Main St., Rochester, VT 05767.
Representative
Jim Harrison
Rutland-
Windsor-1
JIM HARRISON of Chittenden, VT (Rutland County) was appointed
to the House in 2017. He is the former president of the Vermont
Retail & Grocers Association (VRGA), a position he held until the
end of 2016 after a 29+ year career with the organization. He has a
BS from Cornell University and an MBA from New Hampshire
College. Since stepping down from his full-time position with the
Association, he works part time at Green Mountain Golf Course in
Killington and recently joined the Friends of Chittenden Public
Library and the Chittenden Historical Society, and is a new member
of the scholarship selection committee for VRGA. He and his wife,
Pat, have lived in North Chittenden since 2006. They have two adult
children and two grandsons.
Representative
Helen Head
Chittenden-7-3
HELEN HEAD of South Burlington, Chittenden County, Democrat,
was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia, and became a resident of
South Burlington in 1992. She was educated at the University of New
Hampshire (BA) and the University of Vermont (MPA). Her career
has focused on the administration of nonprofit organizations,
including New Hampshire Legal Assistance’s Concord office and
Project Home (now HomeShare Vermont). Past community board and
committee memberships have focused on domestic violence,
developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s Disease, court diversion,
corrections, community library services, and ecumenical action. At
present, she works with Hospice of the Champlain Valley, Dismas
House, and Small Potatoes, an interfaith program that feeds hungry
Vermonters on Saturday mornings. Helen is married to Thomas
Mercurio and they have a grown son and daughter, Paul and Maria.
Member of the House: 2003–present. Home Phone: 862-2267. E-mail:
helen@helenhead.com. Website: www.helenhead.com. Address: 65
East Terrace, South Burlington, VT 05403.

45
MICHAEL J. HEBERT of Vernon, Windham County, Republican,
was born April 13, 1950, at Holyoke, MA. Moved to Vernon in 1984.
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1968 to 1971. Graduated from
college in Springfield, MA, 1975. Mike has been an active
community member coaching high school softball and baseball and
little league baseball in Vernon and Brattleboro. In addition, he has
served on numerous local and regional school boards for more than
25 years. Mike served as a member of the Vermont Water Resources
Board and the Vermont Natural Resources Board for eight years. He
is a member of several fraternal organizations, as well as a member of
the Guilford Sportsman’s Club and the NRA. Mike and his wife,
Deborah (Daigneault) Hebert, were married on July 14, 1973. They
have two daughters, Michelle Hebert of Vernon, VT, and Heather
Hebert of Dover, VT. They also have seven grandchildren, Arianna,
Aleksander, Turner, and Owen of Vernon and Madeline, Nina, and
Catori of Dover. Phone: 451-9088. Address: 54 Homestead Way,
Vernon, VT 05354.
Representative
Michael Hebert
Windham-1
ROBERT “BOB” HELM of Fair Haven, Rutland County,
Republican, was born in Canandaqua, New York, on October 28,
1949, and became a resident of present town in 1950. Occupation:
Real estate and others. He is married to Caren L. Helm, and they have
two daughters and one son. He was educated at Fair Haven Union
High School, Fair Haven, Vermont, and attended Concord
Commercial College, Manchester, New Hampshire (Associate’s
Degree, 1971). Past Castleton Board of Selectmen, Chair; NRA, life
member; American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; VFW;
Vietnam Veterans of America; Fair Haven Rotary; U.S. Marine
Corps.; Vermont State Colleges, Board of Trustees; Past Chairman,
Fish, Wildlife and Water Resource Committees. Likes hunting and
fishing and really likes shooting moose. Member of the House: 1991–
present. Religious preference: Congregational and a firm believer in
the rights of free speech, God bless America, and in God we trust.
Home Phone: 265-2145. Post Office Address: 647 Rt 4A E, Fair
Haven, VT 05743.
Representative
Robert Helm
Rutland-3

46
Representative
Mark Higley
Orleans-Lamoille
MARK HIGLEY of Lowell, Orleans County, Republican, was born
on March 5, 1956, in Brattleboro, Vermont, and became a resident of
present town in 1990. He was educated at the Guilford Central School
and Brattleboro Union High School. After graduation he served in the
USN Seabees as a builder. In 1978 he became a self-employed
general contractor and in 1980 married his wife, Cathy. They have
four children, two daughters and two sons, and two granddaughters.
Board appointments include Solid Waste Committee and Agricultural
Advisory Committee. Elected positions include two one-year terms on
the Brattleboro selectboard, 1986 and 1987, and lister in Lowell since
1994. He worked for five winters for the Town of Lowell, plowing
roads and running a grader. He’s a current member of the Vermont
Beef Producers Association and Vermont Sugar Makers Association.
Office Address: PO Box 10, Lowell, VT 05847-0010.
Representative
Matt Hill
Lamoille-2
MATT HILL of Wolcott, Vermont, Democrat, was born and raised in
Johnson, Vermont. As a Vermonter, Matt’s life experiences include
being a part of the Vermont Department of Labor administration,
carpentry, and real estate, to name a few. As a former basketball
player, coach, and referee, he thrives on teamwork and in high
pressure situations. Matt lives with his partner, Erika, and their two
dogs.
Representative
Mary Hooper
Washington-4
MARY S. HOOPER of Montpelier, Washington County, Democrat,
was born in Heidelberg, Germany, where her father was serving in the
army. She has lived in Montpelier since 1979 with her husband, Jim
Slinkman, who is a physicist working for IBM. They have a son. She
has been the executive director of the Vermont Association of
Conservation Districts, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of
the Department of Labor and Industry, the first executive director of
the Montpelier downtown association. She served four terms as
Mayor of Montpelier and on a number of City Boards and
Commissions and other organizations, including Capstone (the
regional community action agency), the Hunger Council, and the
Vermont College of Fine Arts. Member of the House: 2009–present.
Mailing Address: 882 North Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. E-mail:
maryshooper@gmail.com. Home Phone: 802 223-2892. Mobile
Phone: 793-9512

Biographical "Bio"'s of all 180 Members of 2017-2018 General Assembly

Biographical "Bio"'s of all 180 Members of 2017-2018 General Assembly

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Biographical "Bio"'s of all 180 Members of 2017-2018 General Assembly