Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin today announced that Secretary of Administration Justin Johnson will be leaving state government on Sept. 30 to join Montpelier lobbying firm MMR, LLC. At MMR, he will be heading up a new practice focused on international projects, helping businesses and governments meet their goals and obligations under the Paris climate accord signed by more than 170 countries since last November. The governor said Trey Martin, Deputy Secretary at the Agency of Natural Resources, will replace Johnson. Martin has been responsible for overseeing the Agency’s administrative functions, budget, IT, legal and policy work, as well as coordinating the work of ANR’s three commissioners. He has also been key in projects including Vermont Yankee Decommissioning and the Lake Champlain TMDL funding and Clean Water Act.
Justin Johnson. VBM photo.
Shumlin said Martin’s collaborative work with other state agencies across government, as well as his experience managing a major agency’s budget and millions in associated federal dollars, make him a great choice to serve as Secretary of Administration.
Deb Markowitz, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources said, “Trey has been an important part of my leadership team and we will miss him. He is a great problem solver and understands the difference state government makes in the lives of Vermonters. This will serve him well as he helps Governor Shumlin ensure a smooth transition to a new administration.”
In addition, the Governor said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Justin for serving as Secretary of Administration during my third term, and for his more than a decade of service to the State of Vermont. He has been an important member of my team, helping this Administration to deliver a sixth consecutive balanced budget without raising income, sales, or rooms and meals tax rates. Justin’s background in environmental protection efforts from his time at the Agency of Natural Resources will serve him well as he focuses on international climate policy. I wish him the best for his future.”
Johnson, who still sports a heavy Aussie accent, told the Burlington Free Press that he will work with governments and firms in Australia, London and California involved with carbon credits and will not lobby in the Vermont State House.
“It has been an honor to work with the Governor during the past five and a half years, helping to support job creation, environmental stewardship, and sound fiscal management. Having served in each of the past two administrations, I know Vermont is a great state, and I am proud of my efforts over the past decade to work to make it even better," Johnson said.
Source: Governor Shumlin 9.22.2016