A former insurance analyst has been named Vermont’s top housing official. Gov. Phil Scott’s office announced Wednesday that Alex Farrell, who is currently interim commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, will keep the job on a permanent basis.
Farrell replaces Josh Hanford, who announced in September he was stepping down for a post with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
“Alex has proven himself to be a capable and thoughtful leader within the department, as we work to address Vermont’s housing challenges,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Alex as we build on the historic investments and progress being made, and to take the bold action needed to continue moving forward.”
Farrell will oversee a $31 million department with roughly 45 full-time employees across four divisions. Part of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the department administers several major grant programs, including the Vermont Housing Improvement Program. It also regulates manufactured home parks and often takes the lead at the Statehouse in advancing the administration’s vision for housing reform.
“I am grateful to serve Vermonters in this role, and I am eager to build on the progress that has been made over the last several years,” Farrell said in a statement. “We are at a pivotal moment in Vermont’s history in which we can choose to make Vermont more welcoming, strong, and safe. I look forward to continuing the Governor’s efforts to think big, work collaboratively, and improve the lives of Vermonters.”
The new housing commissioner came to state government relatively recently. He was hired as deputy commissioner of the department in 2021. Before that, he spent six years as an analyst with Union Mutual of Vermont, according to his LinkedIn page. He worked in sales for BioTek Instruments, a Winooski-based manufacturer, for three years prior to joining Union Mutual.
Farrell has also served on several housing-related boards and commissions, and chaired the board of the Vermont State Housing Authority and Vermont’s Real Estate Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor to regulate real estate professionals.
Farrell, who grew up in Shelburne, has been active in Chittenden County Republican politics, serving a short stint as chair of the Burlington GOP in 2017 and running unsuccessfully for state Senate (with Scott’s endorsement) in 2018.
Sarah Clark appointed
Also on Wednesday, Scott announced that Sarah Clark had been named deputy secretary of the Agency of Administration. She will replace Doug Farnham, who in August was named Vermont’s chief recovery officer following this summer’s catastrophic flooding.
A veteran financial analyst, Clark most recently served as deputy fiscal officer for the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office, which provides nonpartisan budget analysis to lawmakers. She’s also previously worked as the 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.
“Sarah continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to public service, and her extensive budgeting and management experience in both the legislative and executive branches make her a perfect fit for this critical role,” Scott said. “I look forward to working with her, and appreciate her willingness to join the Agency of Administration.”
