PRESS RELEASE
10/24/11
For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat McDonald
802-223-3411
pmcdonald@vtgop.org
VERMONT GOP NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pat McDonald, Chair of the Vermont Republican Party, announced today that Mike Bertrand of Montpelier is taking over as the GOP’s Executive Director.
The current Executive Director, Tayt Brooks, is stepping down so he can focus his time and energy on helping Kurt Wright’s campaign for Mayor of Burlington.
McDonald lavished praise on Brooks, who served as Vermont’s Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs before joining the VT GOP.
“Tayt Brooks is a top-caliber administrator with a very keen political mind, and we will miss having him around,” said McDonald. “He has been a steady hand on the tiller for us, and I know great things lie ahead for him. I wish him well.”
Bertrand, 41, served in several different positions during the Douglas Administration: Commissioner of Labor and Industry; Special Assistant and Deputy Legal Counsel to the Governor; Deputy Secretary of Administration; Deputy Commissioner of Insurance; and lastly Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration.
Bertrand grew up in Montpelier, and attended Penn State University and Fordham Law School. Prior to joining the Douglas team in 2003, he practiced law and also served as Assistant Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. Since leaving state government in January of this year, he has been working as a consultant in Montpelier.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to get Mike Bertrand to come run the party’s operations during such an important time for us,” McDonald continued. “Mike knows Vermont, he knows government, and he knows the issues. He’s the perfect fit as we move into 2012, which is shaping up to be one of the most important election years in my lifetime.”
Bertrand will assume his new duties the week of October 31st.
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