Vermont Democrats hire Jim Dandeneau as new interim executive director

The Vermont Democratic Celebration has employed a brand new interim government director. Jim Dandeneau, who beforehand labored because the social gathering’s Home Marketing campaign Director, will take over later this month. 

The hiring was confirmed by Rep. Matt Birong, D-Vergennes, who mentioned he requested Dandeneau to use after the final government director abruptly resigned final month.

“He’s extremely energetic. He’s extremely devoted. He isn’t afraid to assume outdoors the field,” Birong mentioned. “And he simply type of went at it with a stomach hearth that I simply haven’t seen with the earlier (government administrators).”

The social gathering’s workers has been beleaguered by turnover and turmoil lately. Its final government director, Claire Cummings, lasted for precisely one 12 months within the function. Her predecessor, Scott McNeil, stepped down after lower than two years after one other staffer stop and launched an open letter lambasting the social gathering’s  “poisonous atmosphere.” The social gathering was additionally rocked by an embezzlement scandal in 2019.

After a spate of short-lived government administrators employed from out of state, Birong mentioned he sees “stability” with Dandeneau, who has labored in and round Vermont politics for a number of years.

“Jim has confirmed he can do the work,” Birong mentioned.

Dandeneau was Sue Minter’s area director within the 2016 gubernatorial race, when the previous transportation secretary received the Democratic main however misplaced to then-Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, within the common election. Dandeneau led the Democrats’ marketing campaign to recruit candidates for the Vermont Home in 2018, the 12 months the social gathering picked up 12 seats to clinch a veto-proof supermajority with Progressives within the chamber.

Democratic Celebration chair Anne Lezak mentioned she couldn’t discuss in regards to the social gathering’s rent till a proper announcement Monday.

Dandeneau mentioned he couldn’t talk about the matter till he leaves his present job as a lobbyist for Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC. His first day with the social gathering is Could 23.