by Timothy McQuiston Vermont Business Magazine Another big shoe has dropped in the race for Vermont governor and it certainly will not be the last. Vermont-native Bruce Lisman today announced his candidacy for Governor of the State of Vermont, pledging to lead the state toward a brighter future and work to make Vermont an even better place to live, work and raise a family. Lisman, who will be running as a Republican candidate for Governor, is well-known for working to achieve non-partisan solutions to Vermont’s challenges. He founded and funded Campaign for Vermont.
Speculation Lisman would run for governor began in the last election cycle, at which time he opted not to run against Governor Shumlin. There was also speculation about which party he would represent, or if he would run as an independent. While there are several prominent politicians for both parties considered as potential candidates, including Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott and last-time runner up Scott Milne for the Republicans, and for the Democrats Transportation Secretary Sue Minter and previous candidate Matt Dunne, the only declared candidate is Democratic Speaker Shap Smith.
“Vermont and its people are incredibly important to me, and more than ever before, I believe the state is at a true crossroads, a critical point in time where there are real, significant challenges facing us, but at the same time great opportunities to shape the future for generations of Vermonters,” Lisman said.
“I’ve spent the last four and a half years listening to citizens across Vermont, from all walks of life, and there are resounding concerns about the current direction of our state,” said Lisman. “It is my hope that Vermonters will consider my non-political approach to policy matters, willingness to listen, and results-based management style and join me in moving Vermont away from the detrimental politics of recent years and into a new era of shared success.”
“I’m running for the people of our state, not for politicians and their agendas,” said Lisman. “Some have said that I am turning the political establishment on its head by challenging politicians. I simply believe in the power of people and their ability to join together, raise their voice and influence policy debate and decision making.”
Lisman has made it his primary focus in recent years to focus on public policy issues that can help Vermonters become economically secure; develop more and better jobs; provide world-class education opportunities to our children; make quality, affordable health care accessible to all; create a new culture of ethics, accountability and transparency in state government; and restore sustainable state spending practices.
“I look forward to meeting and working with Vermonters during the coming months as I continue on my mission to lead the state in a new, better direction,” said Lisman. “We are in it together to change the course of Vermont’s future and I hope folks will join me in that effort.”
Lisman will be holding a formal announcement gathering in October.
Background
Lisman was born and raised in a working, middle-class family of four in the old north end of Burlington, the son of a clothing store owner-turned teacher, and a secretary. He attended H.O. Wheeler School and Champlain Elementary, and later Burlington High School.
He worked his way through school at the University of Vermont as a waiter and roofer, graduating in 1969. He then moved to New York City where he started his career in finance as a file clerk, bartending and driving a taxi on the side to make ends meet.
Over the course of his 40-year career, he progressed through the ranks and was ultimately tasked with managing over 2,500 employees and a broad range of programs and services as the co-head of global equities for Bear Stearns, a position he held for 20 years. In 2009, he retired from JP Morgan Chase & Co. as chairman of its global equities division.
In addition to his career in finance, Bruce has been a long-time supporter and board member of many organizations including the Shelburne Museum, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, University of Vermont (Chairman), the Smithsonian Libraries, National Life, and Merchant Bancshares Corporation, and also served on the boards of Central Vermont Public Service, The Hewitt School, Pace University, HS Broadcasting and BRUT Inc.
In his role as Chairman of the board of trustees at UVM, Lisman guided the university through an important transition— including leading the search committee that recruited the current president, initiating a successful capital campaign, and beginning a long-term approach to strategic planning and budgeting.
Lisman has also been a lead supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington’s Early Promise Program, believing in its transformational potential of Burlington’s young people.
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Lisman said he is a strong advocate of higher education, and career retraining, and in 1993 endowed a scholarship fund at UVM in the name of his father, Irving Lisman. The fund, which is designed for non-traditional, adult students looking to go back to college to better their careers, has since provided financial aid to more than 350 Vermonters.
Lisman said he is a passionate environmentalist and has been involved in a joint effort with Preservation Trust of Vermont to replenish the tree canopy in Vermont’s communities, and also serves on the boards of American Forests (Vice-Chairman)and theNational Gardening Association (Chairman).
In 2011, Lisman co-founded Campaign for Vermont, an independent, non-partisan coalition dedicated to putting progress ahead of partisanship and uniting Vermonters around commonsense public policy that gets real results.
Lisman currently resides in Shelburne with his wife Kyla and their three dogs. He has two daughters, Kate and Maggie. Lisman is an avid reader and enjoys hiking in his spare time.