Douglas chooses Wark as new press secretary
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By Louis Porter Vermont Press Bureau - Published: November 22, 2008
MONTPELIER – Steve Wark, who has been in charge of public information and consumer affairs for the Department of Public Service, will replace Jason Gibbs as Gov. James Douglas' chief spokesman.
"It is a fantastic challenge," Wark said. "It is an honor to serve Governor Douglas."
His main role will be to provide information to the Legislature and the news outlets, and to "make sure the message is clear," Wark said.
Wark retired in 2006 after two decades with the Burlington Police Department, where he rose to serve as deputy chief. He then worked for the utility-regulating Department of Public Service. Wark was slated to become head of the energy efficiency division there, when he was asked to join the governor's staff as spokesman.
Like Gibbs, who left to become the head of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Wark is an Eagle Scout. Wark graduated from the University of Vermont, Champlain College and Vermont Technical College.
Wark's new spot was not the only change in the administration announced Friday. Susan Besio, who has been in charge of health care reform for the Douglas administration, will take over as head of the Office of Vermont Health Care Access in early December. Joshua Slen is now in that job.
Before joining the administration as part of the health care reform effort, Besio was commissioner of the former Department of Developmental and Mental Health Services, and then director of operations and planning for the Agency of Human Services.
Slen will leave state government, according to a statement by Agency of Human Services Secretary Robert Hofmann.
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