Before leaving on his EB-5 trip to China on Sunday, Governor Peter Shumlin is first getting his house in order. The governor announced today that he will appoint Judge Geoffrey Crawford to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court, replacing retired Justice Brian Burgess. Already this week, Shumlin has named a new Education Secretary, a new member of the high-profile Public Service Board, shuffled his Administration staff and appointed a new legislator.
Judge Crawford has served as a trial court judge since 2002, when he was appointed by Governor Howard Dean to the Superior Court. Previously, he was in private practice as a partner at O’Neill Crawford & Green in Burlington, where he handled a variety of civil matters, including commercial litigation and personal injury cases.
‘Geoff’s compassion and his years of experience as a trial judge, where he has served with a collegial attitude and well-regarded intellect, will make him a very strong addition to the Supreme Court,’ said Gov. Shumlin. ‘His reputation for fairness and rigor, as well as his demonstrated commitment to ensuring that our judiciary serves the needs of Vermonters, make me very proud to appoint him to the Court.’
Crawford said he is looking forward to joining the court.
‘It is a joy and a great honor to serve in the Vermont judiciary with so many dedicated staff members and fellow judges all working together to ensure justice for Vermonters. I am deeply grateful for this new opportunity,’ Crawford said.
In addition to serving as a trial judge, Crawford is presently a board member of Dismas of Vermont, Burlington, as well as the New England Organ Bank. He is a past recipient of the Thibodeau-Wall Award for Community Service by the Howard Center, as well as the Catherine McAuley Award by Mercy Connection. He is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School. He and his wife live in Burlington and have raised five children.
RELATED
Shumlin picks Rebecca Holcombe as next Education Secretary
Thu Sep 19 2013
by Tim McQuiston, VBM, and Alicia Freese, vtdigger.org September 19, 2013 A Dartmouth College educator has been named by Governor Peter Shumlin as Vermont's next Secretary of Education. Rebecca Holcombe is a Harvard educated Lecturer and Director of the Teacher Education Program at Dartmouth. She will take over from Armando Vilaseca when he steps down in January. Holcombe lives in Norwich.
Governor Shumlin, AOA Secretary Spaulding announce staff changes
Thu Sep 19 2013
Governor Peter Shumlin and Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding today made a series of position announcements for the Agency of Administration and Governor’s Office.
Governor appoints former Administration Secretary Kathy Hoyt to House seat
Thu Sep 19 2013
Governor Peter Shumlin announced Wednesday that he will appoint Kathy Hoyt of Norwich to the State House seat held by Representative Margaret Cheney. Hoyt has extensive experience in state government, previously serving as Commissioner of Employment and Training, Planning Director for the Vermont Human Services Agency, and Gov. Madeleine Kunin’s and Gov. Howard Dean’s Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Agency of Administration.
Governor appoints Margaret Cheney to Public Service Board
Mon Sep 16 2013
Governor Peter Shumlin today announced that he has appointed state Representative Margaret Cheney of Norwich to serve as a member of the Public Service Board. Cheney has been elected to the Legislature for four terms, and served as vice-chair of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. She will resign from the Legislature in order to take her new post, and will begin hearing new matters before the Board starting October 1.