Mayor Miro Weinberger Announced Brian Pine as New Director to Lead Community and Economic Development Office
Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the appointment of Brian Pine as the new Director of the Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO). Brian brings decades of community development experience to the role, including 18 years as the Assistant Director for Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization in CEDO. He also worked as a Senior Consultant at the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and started his own consulting firm, Pine Consulting, to assist nonprofit and public sector organizations with project planning, financing and development. Pine has also served as a Ward 3 City Councilor from 1991-1995 and was elected again in 2018.
“Brian Pine is the right person to lead CEDO at this challenging and promising time,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “He is uniquely qualified, and has a proven dedication to City of Burlington. The work of CEDO in the months ahead will include making permanent the many innovations of the last year – like the Resource and Recovery Center, the Trusted Community Voices program, and implementing the language access plan, as well as leading the community engagement process that will determine the best way to invest ARPA funds into Burlington. I have every confidence in Brian’s ability to lead this important work.”
“Serving the community that has been my home for 40 years is a real honor. For me, there is no higher calling than public service in terms of making a positive difference in the community, and I look forward to joining the Mayor and his team with that goal in mind. I am grateful for the opportunity to rejoin the CEDO team in support of the mission to engage the community in finding solutions to achieve our collective vision for an equitable, safe, and truly inclusive City with real opportunities for all.”
Background
In his time as the Assistant Director for Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, Pine managed all federal and local housing programs and ordinances and led the City’s housing policies and programs. He led the creation of the Lead and Healthy Homes Program to prevent lead poisoning for low-income families and developed a master plan to secure $6 million for the revitalization of the North Street commercial district. Previously Pine was one of the first two employees to launch the Vermont Community Loan Fund where he performed loan underwriting, business development and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations serving low-income Vermonters. He spent a few years in youth development and job training before launching YouthBuild Burlington under the auspices of the King Street Youth Center.
At VEIC, Pine consulted clients to make energy efficiency investments to traditionally underserved markets and was part of the team that advances low-income homeownership using zero energy modular homes.
Pine has lived in Burlington since graduating from the University of Vermont in 1985, and lives in the Old North End with his wife, Liz Curry. They have two grown children who also live in Burlington.
Next Steps
Mayor Weinberger will bring Pine’s appointment before the City Council at its May 24 meeting, and Pine will resign his position as City Councilor effective upon confirmation by the City Council. The City Charter dictates that Special Elections will be held within 90 days of a Council vacancy, therefore, Mayor Weinberger will call a Special Election for the Ward 3 City Councilor seat for August 17, 2021. If confirmed, Pine would start his work as CEDO Director on June 7.
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