Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin has appointed Theresa Wood of Waterbury to the House seat vacated by former State Representative Rebecca Ellis, who resigned from the Legislature in August to join the Shumlin Administration. The Washington-Chittenden district, which Wood will represent, includes the towns of Waterbury, Huntington, Buel’s Gore, and Bolton.
“Theresa is smart and driven and has a record of getting things done,” Shumlin said. “Her experience in both state and local government will serve her well in the Legislature. She cares deeply about helping her community succeed and I have no doubt she will serve her district incredibly well.”
“I am extremely excited and humbled to be appointed by the Governor, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve my district and my state in this new role,” said Ms. Wood.
Wood has a long history of community involvement and local and state government experience. She served as Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living from 2004 to 2008. Before that she worked as the Director of the Division of Developmental Services in the Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services.
Since 2013 Wood has served as the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s Community Liaison, helping to manage local communication with municipal officials, businesses, organizations and residents in Waterbury, Stowe, Duxbury, and nearby areas for state and federally funded transportation projects affecting these communities. She also served as the Chair of ReBuild Waterbury Steering Committee, helping to develop, organize, manage and operationalize Waterbury’s post-Irene recovery effort for homeowners in the Waterbury-Duxbury area.
Wood was one of the candidates recommended to the Governor by the Washington-Chittenden Democratic District Committee, which included local Democrats from Bolton, Huntington, and Waterbury.
Wood is a graduate of Johnson State College and Champlain College. She lives in Waterbury.