Pat Moulton, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, plans to leave her post in September to become interim president at Vermont Technical College.
[This story originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.]
Moulton became head of the agency in June 2014 and oversaw a group of state departments including tourism and marketing, economic development and housing, as well as Vermont’s regional center for the federal EB-5 foreign investment program.
During her tenure, ACCD developed stricter controls on the EB-5 program through a partnership with the Department of Financial Regulation, which ultimately uncovered what officials call a “massive” fraud scheme in the Northeast Kingdom.
Moulton said she has worked with Vermont Tech for many years on workforce development initiatives. She plans to continue outgoing President Dan Smith’s work to increase enrollment at the college.
“I am a big believer in Vermont Tech, and my work here at the agency has really confirmed for me that one of the greatest barriers to both job growth and income equality is the fact that we lack a skilled workforce,” Moulton said.
Gov. Peter Shumlin and Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding each released statements saying that Moulton’s work on economic development would serve her well at Vermont Tech.
“Pat has been an extremely trusted and loyal member of my team,” Shumlin said. “During her tenure at ACCD, she has helped attract new business to our state, keep our unemployment rate at one of the lowest levels in America, and oversee the creation of over 7,000 new jobs.”
Scott Coriell, a spokesman for Shumlin, said the governor would appoint a replacement for Moulton by the time she leaves. Shumlin is not seeking re-election in this year’s election.
The board of trustees for Vermont State Colleges also appointed Nolan Atkins as interim president of Lyndon State College. Atkins is currently interim academic dean at Lyndon.