Upon the recommendation of Senator Patrick Leahy, President Biden recently appointed John Roberts as executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Vermont.

Roberts formerly served as executive director of the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, a farmer-led organization working on environmental practices on farms and supporting Vermont’s farm economy. Prior to that, he worked with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farms and Markets, focusing on assisting small farms with their water quality stewardship.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Administration Secretary Kristin Clouser have announced three key appointments within the Agency of Administration: Catherine Delneo has been appointed as state librarian, Justin Kenney as chief performance officer and Nikki Fuller as deputy commissioner of human resources.

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain has announced that its founding executive director, Phelan Fretz, PhD, will retire in June after 20 years leading the science museum on the Burlington Waterfront. Fretz is widely credited for his fundraising and community-building skills that have led to the organization's success.