Montpelier, Vt. – Wednesday, Governor-elect Phil Scott announced more extended cabinet appointments.
Mark A. Levine, M.D., has been named Commissioner of Health. Before joining the Governors-elect’s Administration, Dr. Levine was a Professor of Health Medicine at the University of Vermont, the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official at the College of Medicine and the UVM Medical Center. He also served as the Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Levine obtained his B.A. in Biology from the University of Connecticut and received his M.D. from the University of Rochester. At the nexus of Dr. Levine’s clinical, education, public health and advocacy efforts, is his heightened interest in improving health at the population level.
Katie Buckley has been appointed Commissioner of Housing and Community Development. Buckley has served in roles, such as Director of Parent Engagement for Vermont Academy, Town Administrator for the Town of Guilford, Vt., Director of Housing Development for Windham & Windsor Housing Trust and Vice President of the community non-profit, Friends of Algiers Village, Inc. She is a board member with Preservation Trust of Vermont and Broad Brook Community Center. She sits on the State of Vermont Downtown Development Board and is a Commissioner for the Windham Regional Planning Commission. Buckley brings a strong background in municipal government, housing, community development and historic preservation with her.
Kaj Samsom will transition from his current role as Deputy Commissioner of Financial Regulation to be the Governor-elect’s Tax Commissioner. Samsom was appointed to head up the insurance division at the Department of Financial Regulation in 2014, and has served in the department since 2006. Samsom’s experience as a CPA and in public administration, navigating complex regulatory management issues with a fact-based approach will serve Vermonters well at the Tax Department.
Governor-elect Scott reappointed Robert Ide of Peacham as the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Ide was first appointed to this post in August of 2009. Ide is a seventh-generation Vermonter and graduated from the University of Vermont and Vermont Technical College. Prior to this appointment, Ide served as Rail Program Manager at the Agency of Transportation, and Director of Energy Efficiency at the Department of Public Service. Ide served as a member of the Vermont State Senate from 1993 to 2004.
Christopher Herrick has been asked to serve as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety. Herrick is the Director of Vermont Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Public Safety. Prior to that role, Herrick served 16 years as the Chief of the Vermont State HAZMAT Response Team. Herrick also served with the Grand Isle Sheriff’s Department and South Hero Rescue. He has served as the Chair of the State Emergency Response Commission, Chair of the Town of South Hero Select-board and South Hero School-board, and as Chair of the Grand Isle County Emergency Services Association. Herrick graduated from St. Michael’s College in 1988 with a B.A. in Psychology and earned his Master’s in Education from the University of Vermont in 1998.
Erica Bornemann will replace Christopher Herrick as Director of Vermont Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). Bornemann is currently the chief of staff for DEMHS and responsible for the overall management of the four sections of the Division (Operations and Logistics, Planning, Recovery and Mitigation, and Homeland Security). Bornemann earned a B.A. in Political Science from Western New England College and a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University.
“I am pleased to add each of these individuals to my team. I know their skills will serve Vermonters well as my administration works to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect our most vulnerable,” said Governor-elect Scott. “We’re bringing a strong team of leaders, that are committed to public service, and I’m looking forward to working with each of them.”