Waterbury, VT – Vermont Department of Corrections Commissioner Nicholas Deml is announcing key leadership changes at Northeast Correctional Complex (NECC) in St. Johnsbury, Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport, and the Central Office.
At NECC, Superintendent Norah Quinn will retire from Vermont DOC in April after 29 years of State service. Superintendent Quinn began her career as a correctional officer and served in numerous roles with the Department. At the height of the pandemic, Superintendent Quinn oversaw NECC’s transformation into a surge facility – a vital tool in the Department’s COVID mitigation strategy, and something which demonstrated her expertise and commitment to service. She retires as the highest ranking official at NECC. NSCF Acting Superintendent Mike Koehler will succeed Superintendent Quinn and serve as Interim Superintendent at NECC beginning in mid-April.
Northwest State Correctional Facility (NWSCF) Assistant Superintendent Lori Perkins has been appointed Interim Superintendent at NSCF effective in mid-April. She will be supported by Alisha Coffey, currently a Corrections Program Supervisor at Newport Probation and Parole, who has been appointed Interim Assistant Superintendent at NSCF, also effective in mid-April.
All three new facility leaders will focus on staff wellness and morale, recruitment and retention, and the provision of human services to those in the Department’s care and custody.
At the Central Office, Interim Deputy Commissioner Matt D’Agostino is leaving the Department on April 8 to pursue opportunities outside of state government. During his service, Deputy Commissioner D’Agostino provided expert level leadership of the Department’s financial and health services components and was a trusted advisor to the Commissioner.
“This news is bittersweet for the team at Corrections,” said Commissioner Nicholas Deml. “We are losing two exceptional people who have contributed greatly to our team for many years. But, we are also bringing into critical positions new leaders who will help us shift the culture at the Department by working to implement policies and practices that support staff wellness and morale, and improve the well-being of our incarcerated population. I am so appreciative of Norah and Matt for their service to our state and I look forward to our next chapter on leadership and progress.”
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