As she continues to build out her Washington, DC, staff, US Representative-Elect Becca Balint recently announced key hires for her state congressional office in Burlington. These include:
- Aileen Lachs, director of constituent services. For the past several years, Lachs has served as an immigration caseworker for US Senator Patrick Leahy. Lachs is an attorney and practiced law at Mickenberg, Dunn, Lachs & Smith for 28 years.
- Jessica Nordhaus, director of community outreach. Nordhaus began her career as an entrepreneur, founding Horny Toad Activewear (now Toad & Co.) immediately after graduating from Yale. Her path then led to education, community organizing, K-12 school reform, political consulting, public policy, nonprofit development and equity work. Most recently, she directed Change The Story VT, leading the initiative until its sunset in 2022.
- Carolyn Wesley, Vermont director of operations and culture. Wesley most recently served as chief of staff to Balint in the Vermont Senate President Pro Tem's office. She previously served as deputy director of Building Bright Futures and as director of constituent services for Governor Peter Shumlin.
- Morgan Nichols, community liaison/constituent service representative. Nichols comes to Balint’s team from Vermont Main Street Alliance, where she was state director and led the policy campaign for paid family leave.
- Thomas Renner, community liaison/constituent service representative. Renner joins Balint’s staff with multiple years of federal government experience, having previously worked for Leahy, as well as experience in the private sector in the aerospace and health care sectors. Most recently, Renner worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
- Owen Doherty, Vermont staff assistant. Doherty, a graduate of the University of Vermont, formerly served as executive assistant to State Treasurer Beth Pearce.