Lunderville to replace Administration Secretary

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(Host) The top member of Governor Jim Douglas’s cabinet plans to leave the administration this summer.

But, as VPR’s Neal Charnoff reports, he’ll be replaced by another high-ranking official who’s close to the governor.

(Charnoff) Administration Secretary Mike Smith says he’ll turn 55 in August. So he’ll retire after more than five years in the Douglas cabinet.

(Smith) "I’m eligible for retirement in August and I thought I’d take advantage of retirement. I’ve been here as one of the longest-serving secretaries of administration.”

(Charnoff) Smith has been close to the governor for 30 years. They served together in the House in the 1970s.

Twenty years later, when Douglas was treasurer, Smith was his deputy. And Smith has served as both administration secretary and human services secretary under Governor Douglas.

Smith says he’s most proud of Vermont’s accomplishments in health care.

(Smith) "I mean, Vermont is the leader in the country in terms of health care, with the Blueprint for health and Catamount Health and Green Mountain Care. We are the leader. And that’s exciting, being at the center of that.”

(Sneyd) But in August, all of that will be the responsibility of another close aide of the governor – current Transportation Secretary Neale Lunderville.

Douglas says he’ll promote Lunderville to administration secretary. That’s the official who’s in charge of the budget and who has a hand in most administration policy.

Lunderville says he’s already spent a lot of time in tough jobs.

(Lunderville) "Over the last two years I’ve gained some valuable experience at the agency that I want to bring to the administration. And certainly my experience in the governor’s office the four prior years before I was at VTrans helps with the familiarity with the process and my relationship with the governor.”

(Charnoff) Lunderville also has been a key, trusted political advisor to Douglas. Lunderville managed the Douglas campaign in 2002, when he first won the governor’s office.

At the Transportation Agency, Lunderville will be replaced by his deputy, David Dill.

For VPR News, I’m Neal Charnoff.

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