Looking to begin his 5th term, Gov. Scott names new cabinet members

November 22, 2024  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Sarah Clark. Courtesy photo

This week Gov. Phil Scott announced several cabinet appointments including naming Sarah Clark, of Waterbury, as secretary of the Agency of Administration. 

Clark has been serving as interim secretary since May after being tapped as deputy secretary in November 2023. 

“With Sarah’s extensive expertise in fiscal management, and her demonstrated ability to manage many complex government operations, we are fortunate to have her in this important role, and as a member of our team,” Gov. Scott said in a statement announcing the appointment. Scott just won re-election on Nov. 5 and is preparing to start his fifth two-year term in office in January. 

“We have a lot of work ahead of us, and as we continue to face significant challenges as a state, her experience and poise will serve us well,” Scott said.  

The governor praised his appointees noting that he chose them for his cabinet intentionally.  “I have always worked to surround myself with a strong team because that is critical to success and doing what is best for Vermonters. I’m grateful for each of these public servants for stepping up and I know each of them will continue to serve Vermonters well,” the governor said. 

Clark has worked in state government for two decades as a leader in budget and financial management, including the deputy fiscal officer of the Legislature’s Joint Fiscal Office. She has also served as chief financial officer of the Agency of Human Services, deputy commissioner of the Department of Finance & Management and interim commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. 

“Growing up in Vermont, I feel a deep connection and appreciation for this brave little state,” Clark said. “It is an honor to serve Governor Scott and my fellow Vermonters as secretary of Administration. I look forward to leading the Agency of Administration and its dedicated employees as we work together to support the operations of state government in service to Vermonters.”

The Agency of Administration is at the top of the state government organizational chart, providing administrative and support services to all Vermont state government agencies and departments, as well as for taxpayers and constituents.

Scott also announced three other appointments.

Kristin L. McClure was named deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services, the largest agency in Vermont state government. 

McClure, of South Burlington, has served as interim deputy secretary since July. Her work so far has included overseeing efforts to address housing and emergency shelter. She previously was the agency’s health data officer, working to improve how Vermont collects and uses health data. In that role, she led Vermont to be one of the first states in the nation to integrate data on mental health and substance use disorder into the Health Information Exchange. McClure also was the state’s chief data officer at the Agency of Digital Services where she was involved with the state’s data-driven response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McClure said she was honored to take on her new role which is focused on improving the health and well-being of Vermonters. "The Agency of Human Services touches the lives of Vermonters in so many different ways. I am excited to engage with this very dedicated team toward the next steps that will further empower our staff and result in even greater outcomes for communities around the state.”

The Agency of Health and Human Services is comprised of multiple departments including the Health Department, the Department for Children and Families, the Department of Corrections and the Departments of Mental Health and Health Access. 

Andrew Collier was named commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, part of the Agency of Transportation. 

The Westford resident has served as the deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery since 2021. Collier in that role helped integrate operations between the liquor and lottery divisions, supported the launch of the lottery central gaming vendor in 2022, and worked to introduce sports wagering in the state. Collier previously spent 11 years as a trooper with the Vermont State Police where he served as a drug recognition expert, DUI enforcement team member, and mentored and trained new recruits. Collier serves on the Howard Center board and the Westford Development Review Board and is a former member of the Vermont Natural Resources Board. 

Collier said he hopes to bring his experience in community engagement, state operations, and law enforcement to his new position. “It’s a privilege to serve Vermont in this capacity, and I look forward to working with [Transportation] Secretary [Joe] Flynn, the amazing team at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the greater transportation community,” he said.

Finally, Angela Smith-Dieng was named deputy commissioner of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, part of the Agency of Human Services. 

A Burlington resident, Smith-Dieng has served as director of the department’s Adult Services Division since 2019, overseeing home and community-based long-term care programs, as well as Older Americans Act programs. As division director, she worked closely with policy-makers, state agencies and community partners across the state to support older Vermonters and individuals with disabilities to live and age well. She previously was the executive director of the Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging, managing state and national policy advocacy efforts.  

As deputy commissioner, Smith-Dieng said she’s “looking forward to supporting all of the Department’s many efforts to support healthy and vibrant communities for all Vermonters.”