Nick Grimley and Lyle Jepson. Courtesy photos
Gov. Phil Scott filled two leadership positions at the Vermont Department of Economic Development on Friday, positions that have been in flux since the departure of a longtime administrator this spring.
Lyle Jepson, head of the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region since 2020, will be the new department’s new commissioner. Nick Grimley, currently the department’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Tech Commercialization, will be deputy commissioner.
Both will begin their new jobs on Nov. 4, according to a press release from Scott’s office.
The department operates within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and oversees a number of programs related to promoting economic development and job growth in Vermont.
Jepson is stepping into a position filled by two interim commissioners since the departure of longtime department head Joan Goldstein in April. Her deputy, Brett Long, initially stepped in as interim commissioner. Upon Long’s retirement, the interim post was filled by Tim Tierney, who will now be returning to his previous role as director of business recruitment and international trade for the department, said Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for Scott, in an email.
Prior to his regional economic development role in Rutland, Jepson spent 30 years in public and technical education across the state, the announcement said. Grimley, with the department since 2017, had previously co-founded the business accelerator LaunchVT.
“Growing the economy has been one of my top priorities since being elected governor,” Scott said in the release. “I believe Lyle’s decades of experience as an educator, as well as Nick’s proven track record supporting the business community, will serve Vermonters well.”