Governor Scott Appointed Four to State Leadership Roles
The leadership changes within Vermont's executive branch impact regulatory oversight and state-led economic initiatives.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
Governor Phil Scott announced four appointments to key leadership roles within the state administration on September 30, 2026. These shifts impact agencies overseeing state economic development, human resources, and tourism.
Why it matters
The appointments place new leadership at the helm of departments that manage state workforce compliance and the $4.2 billion annual tourism economy. These roles shape how the state interacts with business stakeholders and administers key community programs.
The changes affect the Department of Tourism and Marketing, which oversees a sector driving $4.2 billion in annual economic impact and 16 million annual visitors. The incoming leaders take over portfolios ranging from human services to economic development policy.
The players
Phil Scott
Governor of Vermont who oversees state administrative appointments and executive branch operations.
Heather Pelham
Former commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing who transitioned to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Shabnam Nolan
Incoming deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services with 15 years of professional experience.
Sara DeFilippi
New interim commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing who brings 8 years of departmental tenure.
Nick Kramer
New Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources.
The details
The reshuffle involves moving internal leaders into new deputy and commissioner roles, including Sara DeFilippi replacing Heather Pelham as the interim commissioner of tourism. Pelham will move to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development as deputy secretary, while Shabnam Nolan joins the Agency of Human Services. These moves fill vacancies left by previous departures, including the exit of Nikki Fuller from the Department of Human Resources in August 2026.
Timeline
Nikki Fuller left the Department of Human Resources in August 2026.
Governor Phil Scott announced the administrative appointments on September 30, 2026.
Shabnam Nolan will begin her role on October 19, 2026.
Market Landscape
These appointments follow the state's deployment of $10.4 million in EDA-ARPA funding, which requires ongoing oversight from newly appointed agency leadership. The shift signals a reorganization aimed at stabilizing core state services and economic programs.
Business owners should monitor these agencies for potential shifts in policy or regulatory guidance as new leadership settles into their roles. Operators engaging with state departments on economic or tourism grants should confirm if their current project leads remain the same.
The takeaway
Administrative turnover at the agency level can disrupt existing workflows for businesses relying on state partnerships or tourism funding. Operators should verify their current points of contact within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development during this transition period.
Further reading
For more on state leadership changes, see Vermont People.
