Governor Peter Shumlin has appointed St Albans City Manager Dominic Cloud as a member of the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and has appointed environmental advocate Elizabeth Courtney as an alternate member of the NRB. The NRB administers Vermont’s landmark land use law, Act 250. The five member panel meets monthly to address issues related to Act 250 rules, discuss policy issues, and hear requests to reconsider jurisdictional decisions. Cloud replaces Elizabeth Wilkel, whose term expired, as a member of the NRB. Courtney fills an open alternate position vacated by Patricia Moulton when she was appointed Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.Alternate board members serve when needed to avoid scheduling issues or conflict of interests.
“I’m proud to appoint Dom to the NRB, and I am thrilled that Elizabeth will lend her expertise as an alternate member,” Shumlin said. “Both come to the Board with unique experiences and backgrounds but share a love for Vermont and a commitment to our land use goals.”
“The NRB is fortunate to have people with the talent, expertise and background as Dom and Elizabeth to help guide the Act 250 program,” said Jon Groveman, NRB Chair.
Dominic Cloud has served as the City Manager of St. Albans, Vermont since 2008. During his tenure the City focused on forming public – private partnerships to advance economic and community development projects. During the last five years, over $40 million has been invested into public projects such as a parking garage, streetscape improvements, and brownfield cleanup and private projects such as a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, a Class A office building, a downtown hardware store, and renovation of the historic St. Albans House. Dominic previously served as Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Municipal Assistance Center where he worked as a consultant for local governments on management, personnel, and conflict resolution matters and as a legislative advocate for local governments in the Statehouse. He received an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a B.A. in Government from St. John’s University. He lives in Essex, Vermont with his wife Amanda and two kids, Abigail and Charlie.
“The Act 250 process is on the front lines of preserving the Vermont brand,” Cloud said. “We must continue to inspire public confidence in this landmark program and I am honored to be on the team.”
Elizabeth Courtney is one of Vermont’s leading environmental advocates. She is a landscape architect, an artist and co-author of Greening Vermont, The Search for a Sustainable State. Courtney serves as a member of the Governor’s Council of Environmental and Energy Advisors. In 1985 Governor Madeleine Kunin appointed Elizabeth to the Vermont Environmental Board and in 1990 Governor Richard Snelling elevated her to the Chair of the Board where she served until 1994. She directed the Vermont Natural Resources Council for over 14 years. She now offers her expertise to other non-profits to help them to fulfill their missions, and writes a monthly column on the environment.
“I am honored and excited to be asked once again to support Vermont's landmark development law, Act 250, this time as a member of the NRB,” Courtney said. “After four decades of working with Art Gibb's and Deane Davis' visionary land use legislation, I am indeed looking forward to ensuring a healthy future for the Act 250 program and the Vermont environment. I have great confidence in Jon Groveman's leadership as the NRB Chair and am proud to have him at the helm.”