Gov. Phil Scott has elevated Kendal Smith to commissioner at the Vermont Department of Labor and appointed Chris Winters to succeed Smith as the agency's new deputy.
Smith had been serving as deputy commissioner at Labor since January. She previously worked as Scott’s director of policy and legislative affairs for eight years. Smith is a graduate of the American University School of International Service, where she earned a degree in international relations and affairs.
“Kendal has been a valued member of my senior executive team since I first became governor," Scott said. "As deputy commissioner at the Department of Labor, she’s proven herself to be a strong leader, and I’m confident she’ll continue to serve Vermonters and the department well in this new role.”
Winters has served as commissioner at the Department for Children and Families since 2023. Prior to that, he was deputy secretary of state for nearly a decade, overseeing all aspects of the office responsible for elections, business registration, corporations and the state records and archives.
“Chris’ experiences at DCF as well as the secretary of state’s office, working with Vermonters and businesses, makes him a great addition to the Department of Labor,” Scott said. “I also want to thank him for the steady leadership he’s provided to DCF over the last two and a half years.”