Governor Douglas Appoints David R. Fenster Addison County State’s Attorney

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced the appointment of David R. Fenster as Addison County State’s Attorney. David is replacing John T. Quinn who retired last month.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of David to this position in my home county,” said Governor Douglas. “I believe his eleven years in the Bennington State’s Attorney’s office as well as his years in private practice give him the experience necessary to keep Addison County a safe place to live and raise a family.”
“I want to thank Governor Douglas for having the confidence in me to do this important job,” said Fenster. “I am committed to working as hard as I can with my partners in the law enforcement community to ensure that the people of Addison County are safe.”
Fenster has been in private law practice in with the firm Barr, Sternberg, Moss, Lawrence, Silver, Saltonstall & Fenster, P.C. in Bennington, Vermont since July of 2005. Before joining the firm he was Deputy State’s Attorney with the Bennington State’s Attorney’s office for more than eleven years. Fenster was educated at the University of Vermont where he received a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology and a minor in Psychology. He received his J.D. degree Cum Laude from Cardozo School of Law in New York, NY.
David has served the state and his community as a member of the Board of Managers for the Vermont Bar Association, the Board of Governors of the Vermont Association for Justice, past President of the Bennington Bar Association. He also serves as Secretary of Norshaft Little League and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
David is married to Katree Fenster and has two children, Riley age 11 and Ian age 9.

Governor Douglas Names New Commissioner of the Department of Housing, Economic and Community Development

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today announced the appointment of Tayt Brooks as Commissioner of the Department of Housing, Economic and Community Development.
“I’m excited to appoint Tayt to lead this Department,” said Governor Douglas. “His experience in the private sector and in state government, along with his experience working with members of the General Assembly, makes Tayt a natural fit to advance policies that will help create jobs and grow our economy.”
Brooks joined the Douglas Administration late last year as Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs. When the Department of Housing and Community Affairs merged with the Department of Economic Development, Brooks served as Deputy Commissioner for the new Department of Housing, Economic and Community Development.
Brooks previously worked as the Government Affairs Director for the Home Builders’ & Remodelers’ Association of Northern Vermont where he worked on important legislation such as the Growth Centers and New Neighborhoods bills.
A native of St. Albans, Brooks is a graduate of Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans and St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York