FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Contact: Robynn Albert, VMEC Marketing & Training Manager
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)
124 Admin Drive, Suite 126, Randolph Center, VT 05061
(802) 793-2078 / [email protected]
VMEC News Release – VMEC Board Member Election
Randolph Center, VT – The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) has announced the results of its July 14, 2026 election of VMEC Advisory Board members.
Tayt Brooks is the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), appointed to this role by Governor Phil Scott in July 2026. Prior to this appointment, he served as the agency’s Deputy Secretary starting in March 2021 and as the Governor’s Director of Affordability and Economic Initiatives beginning in January 2017.
He previously served the agency from 2008 to 2011 under Governor Jim Douglas as both Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. Brooks holds a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Lawrence University and lives in St. Albans with his wife and two daughters. His past community involvement includes service as a select board chair and school board member. Tayt’s role will be in an ex-officio capacity, replacing board member Lindsay Kurrle, the former Secretary of the ACCD who recently took on a new role as the President and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems.
Elected to the board for one two-year term is Alex Demoly, Vice President, Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC). Alex joined GBIC in 2022 after graduating from Middlebury College with a double major in mathematics and political science. He meets with business leaders in the field to understand their challenges and connect them to the programs, individuals, and organizations they need to succeed; additionally, Alex oversees GBIC’s research and government advocacy teams.
Prior to GBIC, Alex worked as a government affairs intern for Downs Rachlin Martin. He also has experience working for government agencies in his hometown of Albany, New York and on political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. He volunteers with the King Street Center and MENTOR Vermont. Outside of work, Alex enjoys reading, running, and perpetually refilling his beloved old sports sedan with oil.
“I am pleased to have Tayt and Alex join our board,” stated Patrick Boyle, VMEC Center Director & CEO. “Their commitment to our core mission combined with their current roles at ACCD and GBIC, respectively, will bring an important and needed perspective to our advisory board. We look forward to their participation and guidance as we continue our 30 plus year mission of assisting Vermont manufacturers. And on behalf of the entire VMEC board, I would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Lindsay. Her commitment and passion in furthering our mission to enhance the manufacturing industry in Vermont along with her extensive business background made our board that much stronger. We wish her well in her new role.”
About VMEC: Part of the nationwide MEP National Network and hosted by Vermont State University since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “To Strengthen and Empower Vermont Manufacturers.” A local resource and trusted adviser to manufacturing enterprises of all sizes, the VMEC team brings world-class expertise in consulting, coaching, hands-on implementation support, training and education for leaders and workers. VMEC provides proven systems and solutions focused on strategies, processes, products, technologies and people.
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