All VAWS Members have been sent a Voting form.

The following nominations for re-election or as new candidates with support from five (5) current VAWS members have been received for the following positions:

Secretary:  incumbent Aimee Rutledge for re-election. no nominations for other candidates have been received.

Treasurer:  incumbent Karina Dailey for re-election. no nominations for other candidates have been received.

Member-at-large Positions (total 3 to be elected):

1. Donovan Ward:  incumbent for re-election

2. Kaitlyn Maines: nomination form received

3. Derek Thibodeau:  nomination form received

4. Jessie Johnson:  nomination form received 

5. Cathy Foutch:  nomination form received

Donovan has been a Member-at-Large on the VAWS Board 2024 and 2025, serving as a liaison between the Board and the Education Committee. He would like to re-apply. Donovan is a licensed wastewater designer and wetland consultant who operates his business, Blue Carbon Environmental, out of Waterbury. Since graduating from UVM with a degree in environmental science and geospatial technologies, Donovan, works with VT landowners, businesses, and towns to design and permit residential and commercial development. As part of these projects, Donovan works to restore and minimize impacts on VT's wetlands. 

Kaitlyn  is an Environmental Regulatory Specialist at VHB. Her primary role includes state and federal permitting, reporting, mapping, and data analysis. She also performs field assessments, including wetland and water delineations, non-native and invasive species monitoring surveys, bat acoustic surveys, and rare, threatened, and endangered species surveys.

Derek is the Wetland Consultant at Barnard and Gervais LLC, based in Hinesburg, Vermont.  In his role, he works with clients to identify the best path forward for residential and commercial development while avoiding and minimizing impacts to Vermont’s wetlands. He also serves as a Licensed Wastewater Designer and Surveyor. Derek has a background in wildlife research and outdoor recreation, and he earned his degree in Conservation Resource Management from the University of New Hampshire.

Jessie is a biologist for VTrans. She is primarily responsible for the management, field work, and permitting of natural resources within the State of Vermont Right of Way such as wetlands, RTE species, and wildlife habitat. Jessie is passionate about the protection of these resources, and how the installation of new transportation structures can increase flood resiliency and connect wildlife habitat. 

Cathy is a permitting and contract specialist for Otter Creek Engineering.  She specializes in environmental permitting and regulatory compliance within Vermont and New Hampshire. She has recently obtained her wetland delineation certification and is excited to incorporate some field work this growing season. 

Aimee has been the VAWS Secretary since its founding in 2023 and is re-applying for the position. She is a PWS and Senior Environmental Technical Lead at Dubois & King, Inc. She manages environmental and water resource projects, and specializes in natural resource assessments (wetlands, waterways, wildlife habitat, RTE species, etc.) and environmental permitting and regulatory compliance throughout most of New England and New York.

Karina has been the VAWS Treasurer since its founding in 2023 and is re-applying for the position. She is a PWS and is currently a Restoration Ecologist at Vermont Natural Resources Council. At VNRC, she  manages ecological restoration projects and is the Chair of VT Dam Removal Taskforce. Prior to working at VNRC, Karina was a wetland consultant and also worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service.