Campaign for Vermont Announces Leadership Changes

McDonald and Lajeunesse elected Board, LaMontagne named Interim Executive Director

Montpelier, VT, March 23, 2018 - Campaign for Vermont, today announced the election of Pat McDonald, of Berlin, as President of the Board and Gabriel (Gabe) Lajeunesse, of Montpelier, as Vice President of the Board.  In addition, the board announced the appointment of Eric LaMontagne as interim executive director, replacing Benjamin Kinsley who stepped down to take a new position elsewhere in Vermont.

Louise McCarren, who formerly chaired the board said, “On behalf of the board, we are thrilled to welcome two new board members, Pat McDonald and Gabe Lajeunesse, to the ranks of Campaign for Vermont’s leadership team.  Together, Pat and Gabe bring tremendous experience and will bring new perspective and fresh ideas to the organization.” 

Louise McCarren will continue to serve as an Ex Officio member of the board.

Pat McDonald is a highly respected leader and strong manager.  McDonald is best known for her ability to navigate the ins-and-outs of state government as a former agency head and legislator.  More recently, McDonald has spent her time producing and hosting a weekly cable access television program, Vote for Vermont, which provides Vermonters first-hand access to key opinion and public policy leaders from the comfort of their living rooms.

“Campaign for Vermont’s commitment to transforming Vermont’s economic landscape to one that promotes opportunity and prosperity for all Vermonters is very important.  CFV has done a great job building a coalition of engaged Vermonters and providing them with a forum for their voice to be heard,” McDonald said.

Gabe Lajeunesse has been a long-time supporter of Campaign for Vermont’s public policy research activities.  Lajeunesse has seen it all - from battlefield to boardroom and from the classroom to the White House situation room.  He has committed his life to enhancing the culture of our local, regional and national communities.  Lajeunesse currently serves as President of the Business Network International‘s Heart of Vermont Chapter.

Lajeunesse said, “Campaign for Vermont’s ability to coalesce independent thinking Vermonters around important public policy issues has been impressive.  I look forward furthering that activity, supporting their educational efforts and encouraging a more engaged electorate.”

In addition to the new board members, Campaign for Vermont also announced the appointment of Eric LaMontagne as interim executive director.  LaMontagne has seven years’ experience in the non-profit world.  LaMontagne takes on the interim executive director role, adding to the outreach and social media activities that he has been providing to Campaign for Vermont since last November.

McDonald explained, “In his short time with the organization, Eric has proven to be insightful, organized, and very passionate about Campaign for Vermont’s mission. We look forward to working with Eric.”

LaMontagne said, “I am honored to have the board’s support in leading Campaign for Vermont during this interim period.  I am passionate about making this state more affordable so more folks of my generation are able to earn a better living here.  I’m prepared to roll up my sleeves, as CFV continues to promote thoughtful public policy solutions to the challenges facing our state.”

“On behalf of the board, we wish Ben Kinsley all the best in his new job and thank him for his time and effort over the past year and a half leading the organization,” said McDonald.

Campaign for Vermont has been successfully connecting Vermonters to their government and public policymakers for more than seven years and has built a strong grassroots infrastructure matched by no other advocacy organization in Vermont.  For more information about CFV, visit our website CampaignForVermont.org

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