Vermont Digital Services Secretary Will Depart in October
The leadership change at the Agency of Digital Services will trigger a transition to interim management for state IT operations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
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Secretary Denise Reilly-Hughes will depart the Vermont Agency of Digital Services on October 16, 2026, to pursue a private sector role. Deputy Secretary Andrea DeLaBuere is set to step in as interim secretary to oversee the department.
Why it matters
Operators who contract with the state or rely on its shared technology infrastructure must monitor the transition in leadership, as the agency holds responsibility for statewide cybersecurity oversight and technology standards.
Denise Reilly-Hughes joined the state administration in January 2023 and served as Secretary starting in September 2023, overseeing the agency's shared service model for IT delivery.
The players
Denise Reilly-Hughes
The outgoing Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Digital Services who implemented a shared service model for the state's technology infrastructure.
Andrea DeLaBuere
The Deputy Secretary tasked with serving as the interim leader of the Vermont Agency of Digital Services following the October departure.
The details
The Agency of Digital Services centralizes technology delivery and sets cybersecurity standards across state departments. The incoming interim leadership will maintain these existing shared service frameworks. Businesses interacting with state digital infrastructure will continue to work under the established oversight protocols during this transition period.
Timeline
January 2023: Denise Reilly-Hughes joined the state administration.
September 2023: Denise Reilly-Hughes was appointed Secretary of the Agency of Digital Services.
October 16, 2026: Denise Reilly-Hughes will depart from her position.
Market Landscape
The leadership shift occurs as the state continues to refine the shared service model for technology delivery established by the Agency of Digital Services. This transition follows the pattern of ongoing efforts to unify state cybersecurity standards and infrastructure oversight.
Operators managing vendor relationships with the agency should confirm points of contact for ongoing IT projects ahead of the October 16 transition. Review existing cybersecurity compliance workflows to ensure alignment with state standards during this period of interim leadership.
The takeaway
The move from a secretary-led to interim-led agency signals a period of continuity for current technology contracts. Business owners should document all active compliance requirements and service-level agreements to ensure uninterrupted state engagement through the upcoming leadership change.
Further reading
Read more about leadership changes within Vermont People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vermont Business Magazine.
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