Waterbury, VT – Mike Smith, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, announced today that Governor Phil Scott is appointing Nicholas (Nick) J. Deml as the new Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC).
“Nick is an accomplished and experienced administrator, advisor, and attorney,” said Governor Scott. “We are fortunate to attract leaders with such skill and experience to our state, and I look forward to working with him.”
Since 2014, Deml has served in various leadership and operational capacities at the Central Intelligence Agency. Previously, he worked in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2014 as National Security and Foreign Policy aide in the Office of the Assistant Majority Leader, and as an aide on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights.
“I want to thank Governor Scott for this opportunity,” said Deml. “I look forward to joining the Department and working alongside so many dedicated Vermont DOC staff,” he added.
Deml will fill the role currently occupied by Interim Commissioner Jim Baker, who took the Vermont DOC leadership position in January 2020. At the time, Commissioner Baker was planning to serve in the role for just 90 days. However, when the pandemic hit last year, he committed to continuing to lead the Department while the State devoted time to its search for a permanent leader.
“I want to thank Jim for his incredible work and steadfast devotion to the Corrections team over the past 22 months,” said Secretary Smith. “His leadership and gravitas have been critical during an incredibly difficult period. He has also led and driven significant cultural and operational changes within the Vermont DOC.”
“This has been one of the toughest jobs of my career and also the most rewarding,” said Baker. “It has been an honor to lead Vermont DOC over the past nearly two years and to serve alongside so many dedicated state employees.”
Deml received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University and his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School. His first day as Commissioner will be Monday, November 1.
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