FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2021
Contact: Jordan Redell
jredell@burlingtonvt.gov
Mayor Weinberger Appoints Kerin Durfee as New Director of City Human Resources Department
Mayor Weinberger also appoints Samantha Sheehan as Mayoral Communications and Projects Coordinator and Jared Pellerin as Assistant City Attorney
Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Kerin Durfee as the new Director of the City Human Resources Department (HR). Kerin brings over 20 years of management and recruitment experience, as well as extensive organizational development expertise to the role. Kerin currently serves as Director of Earned Revenues at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. Previously, she worked as Front End Manager at City Market and as a Recruitment Specialist for the Human Resources Department at Price Chopper/Golub Corporation.
“I am pleased to be appointing Kerin as HR Director,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Kerin is a committed Burlington resident and Vermonter, and I am grateful for her willingness to serve the City of Burlington and its employees.”
“I’m honored to be appointed to this important position and look forward to working with and for the City’s most valuable resource, its people," said Kerin. I feel fortunate to begin this opportunity during such challenging times, and look forward to supporting the ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to pursue more inclusive and equitable policies and practices.”
Background
During Kerin’s tenure at ECHO, she has overseen the implementation of operational strategic planning initiatives and provided senior leadership, managing the museum’s retail, events, and customer service operations. She also has championed new policies to expand free and reduced admission for museum visitors and families. At City Market, Kerin managed customer service operations, and assisted with systems management and human resources development. She developed strong employee – management relations, including working with the United Electrical, Radio, & Machine Workers of America, which represents City Market employees.
In June 2020, the City Council appointed Kerin to the serve on the Burlington Police Commission. As a Commissioner, she also serves on the Joint Committee for Public Safety. She was appointed to the Vermont Commission on Women by outgoing Speaker of the House, Mitzi Johnson, in November 2020. Additionally, she serves on the Neighborhood Planning Assembly Steering Committee for Wards 4 and 7. She graduated from Vermont College and earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Norwich University.
Kerin has worked in Burlington community since 2006, and in 2015, moved to the New North End, where she resides with her partner Yves Bradley and his son, Ethan. Kerin has three grown children, who reside in Vermont, all of whom she is immensely proud.
Search Process and Next Steps
The national search for an HR Director began in May 2020, and a committee reviewed dozens of applications from across the country. The committee included:
- Eileen Blackwood, City Attorney
- Tyeastia Green, Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
- Jordan Redell, Mayor’s Chief of Staff
- Lynn Reagan, Human Resources Manager
- Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer
- Justin St. James, Assistant City Attorney
If confirmed by the Council on April 26, Kerin will begin her service to the City in May.
Additional Appointments
Mayor Weinberger also announced the appointments of Samantha Sheehan as the Mayoral Communications and Projects Coordinator and Jared Pellerin as the Assistant City Attorney.
Samantha brings extensive experience to the Mayor’s Office, including managing Mayor Weinberger’s most recent re-election campaign and serving as Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray’s Campaign Manager. She also worked as Communications Manager for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), a role which included representing VBSR members at the Vermont State House. Samantha will begin work on April 26.
Jared’s passion for public service and his desire to give back to the greater community have driven his professional trajectory. Most recently, he served as Assistant Corporation Counsel, as well as Counsel to the Albany Common Council (City Council), for the City of Albany, New York. Growing up in Plattsburgh, he has strong ties to the shores of Lake Champlain and is excited about the prospect of making a meaningful contribution to the City of Burlington. If confirmed by the Council, he will start on May 24.
