There will be many newcomers to the top of state government next year. As Vermont’s new Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer prepare to take office next January, they have released a list of new lawmakers.
Vermont Treasurer-elected Mike Piesiak has named Gavin Boyles, one of Piesiak’s top lieutenants during his time as Commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulatory Affairs, as the next deputy secretary.
Attorney General-elect Charity Clark appointed Rob McDougall, who spent 20 years in the Attorney General’s office, as her deputy commander.
Also, Secretary of State-elect Sarah Copeland Hansas said Lauren Hibbert, who currently heads the Office of Occupational Regulation, will become deputy secretary of state.
Copeland Hansas, chairman of the Vermont House of Representatives Committee on Government Operations, said in a statement released in late November that Mr. Hibbert had testified before the committee many times over the years. said.
“I know she is an excellent communicator, a problem solver, and a hard worker,” wrote Copeland Hansas. She clearly loves to serve and I look forward to having her by my side.
Hibbert has led the Office of Professional Regulation, the division of the Secretary of State’s Office that oversees licensing since 2018, and has been with the agency since 2011. Previously, he worked as a public defender in New York.
Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters lost the Democratic primary to Copeland Hansas in his own bid for secretary of state, but in an email to VTDigger he said he was “for the time being” to help with the transition. I wrote that I am staying. part-time basis. “There are some options we are looking at next, but they are not finalized yet,” he said.
McDougal, who will serve as Clark’s deputy attorney general, has spent the last six years as head of the Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Environmental Protection. He also works in his three other departments.
“I am very excited and proud to have Rob representing me,” Clarke said in a statement earlier this month. The breadth and depth of our legal expertise is virtually unmatched.”
McDougall succeeds Josh Diamond, who returned to the private sector after six years in the role. Clark also named Lauren Jandle as chief of staff. This is the role Clark held before becoming Vermont’s chief prosecutor. Jandl joined the office in 2016 and has held the position since Clark left.
Instead of promoting himself internally to join the state banker, Pieciak is enlisting a longtime colleague from the Financial Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for regulating Vermont’s banks and insurance companies.
“I knew he was not only a dedicated public servant, but also an indispensable teammate as he worked on important and fast-paced issues during our time together at the Financial Regulatory Authority. “I am excited that he will bring his skill set to the State Treasury Department,” Pieciak said of Boyles in a statement Thursday.
Boyles has spent the past six years at DFR, most recently as general counsel, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he worked for the Vermont Attorney General’s Office for five years, and also served as clerk for Vermont Supreme Court Chief Paul River for his three years.
Boyles will succeed Michael Klaasen, who will retire at the end of December after 30 years in state government.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Michael for his portfolio of service to Vermont,” outgoing Vermont treasurer Beth Pearce said in a statement. “Over the past 30 years, he has spearheaded so many important activities in our state, especially as part of our recovery efforts for Tropical Storm Irene. I could rely on him every day to lead the Ministry of Finance.”
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