Jane Lazorchak – Climate Action Office Director

Jane.lazorchak@vermont.gov

802-505-0561

With a Master of Science from the Ecological Planning Program at UVM, Jane began her career in public service with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Throughout her 15 years with the Department, Jane served in various roles, most recently as the Public Land Section Chief, where she conserved more than 10,000 acres of public land and oversaw public land management for the Department. In early 2020, Jane stepped into a new role working as the Director of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). As the Director, Jane worked closely with the Climate Council to stand up Vermont’s Initial Climate Action Plan in December of 2021. The plan speaks to how the state will cut our emissions while investing in our rural communities to adapt to climate change, build resilience and enhance the sequestration of our working and natural lands. As Vermont now stands up a Climate Action Office, Jane works with staff to coordinate and provide expertise and capacity on state-led climate initiatives, as well as the monitoring, assessment and tracking of climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience activities necessary to evaluate progress over time in achieving the requirements of the GWSA through implementation of the Plan. Jane lives in Waitsfield with her husband, twin boys, and daughter and loves all things active and outside.

 

Brian Woods – Climate Change Mitigation and Modeling Coordinator

brian.woods@vermont.gov

802-272-4496

Brian is the Climate Office Mitigation and Economic Modeling Analyst. He has over 30 years of experience in state government, with the last 14 years increasingly devoted to state and regional climate policy and analysis. He has represented Vermont in regional discussions and negotiations on various climate policy proposals, including a standard for low-carbon fuels and a cap-and-invest program for the transportation sector. He is the agency's staff lead on Vermont's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which limits carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in environmental management. When not at work he tries to run as many errands as possible on his vintage mountain bike.

 

Marian Wolz – Resilience and Adaptation Coordinator

Marian.wolz@vermont.gov

802-636-7667

Marian is the Resilience and Adaptation Coordinator in the Climate Action Office where she works closely with state and local partners to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. Marian’s work focuses on supporting and building capacity in communities to implement adaptation actions and coordinating with other state agencies on resilience and adaptation policy. Marian joined the Climate Action Office in 2022, after serving as the Global Warming Solutions Act Coordinator working with the Vermont Climate Council to write Vermont's Initial Climate Action Plan. Marian has experience in statewide emergency response and recovery, and community planning for affordability and multi-modal transportation. She holds a bachelor's degree in public and urban affairs. Marian lives in Berlin with her partner and enjoys biking, hiking, and eating baked goods.

 

 

Collin Smythe – Climate Change Data and Progress Analyst

collin.smythe@vermont.gov

802-689-0003

Collin is the Climate Change Data and Progress Analyst in the Climate Action Office and has over six years of climate change related work experience. His role in the Climate Action Office focuses mainly on data and analyses to estimate and track levels of greenhouse gases to inform policies and progress towards Vermont’s emissions reduction targets, including the continued creation of the state greenhouse gas emissions inventory.   In his previous role he worked on a number of greenhouse gas related issues including creation of the GHG inventory, electric vehicles and charging equipment, HFCs, and the Transportation Climate Initiative.  He lives in the hills of Waterbury Center with his family and enjoys doing outdoor activities, exploring new places, and going on adventures.

 

 

Sophi Veltrop – Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator

sophi.veltrop@vermont.gov

802-522-9555

Sophi joined the Climate Action Office in 2023 to support community engagement and communications efforts. In this role she collects and shares public input about climate action and climate-related policy with decision-makers. Her role also includes making State of Vermont climate information meaningful and accessible to Vermonters. Sophi comes to the Agency of Natural Resources with communications experience working for natural and working lands non-profits, as well as engagement work through extracurricular education programs. She lives in a mountain hollow flanked by Winooski River headwaters in Woodbury.

 

Vacant – Climate Change Mitigation Program Manager
Vacant – Resilient Lands Coordinator