Governor Phil Scott has appointed two new leaders to head the Vermont Department of Economic Development, filling key roles that have been temporarily managed since the exit of a long-serving administrator earlier this year. Lyle Jepson, who has led the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region since 2020, will take on the role of commissioner. Nick Grimley, currently serving as the department’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Tech Commercialization, will assume the position of deputy commissioner. Their official start date is set for November 4, as confirmed in a statement released by the governor’s office.
The department functions under the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and manages various initiatives aimed at stimulating economic expansion and employment opportunities across the state. Jepson succeeds two interim leaders who held the commissioner role following the departure of Joan Goldstein in April. Initially, Goldstein’s deputy, Brett Long, served in an acting capacity until his retirement. He was then replaced by Tim Tierney, who will now resume his former responsibilities overseeing business recruitment and international trade, according to Amanda Wheeler, a spokesperson for Governor Scott.
Before his work in regional economic advancement in Rutland, Jepson spent three decades involved in public and technical education throughout Vermont. Grimley, who joined the department in 2017, previously co-launched LaunchVT, a startup accelerator program that supports early-stage companies. Governor Scott emphasized that strengthening the state’s economy remains a central focus of his administration. He expressed confidence that Jepson’s extensive background in education and Grimley’s demonstrated success in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems will benefit Vermont residents.
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New leaders set to helm Vermont economic development department
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.”