Shelly Walker appointed Vernon Town Administrator

Shelly Walker has been appointed as Vernon’s new full-time Town Administrator. The

Selectboard voted to make the appointment at its meeting on August 17. Walker officially started on Monday, August 30.

She replaces Wendy Harrison, who has served as part-time interim Administrator since November, 2020. 

Walker has previously served in municipal administration positions in her hometown of Winchester, N.H. She served there as municipal administrator from 2013 to 2016, and previously as the Town’s Executive Assistant. 

Earlier, she served as a classroom aide, computer classroom assistant, and software instructor in the Winchester school system. Since 2016, she has worked as a patient financial counselor at the Brattleboro Retreat. 

She earned an Associate in Paralegal Studies from Newbury College in Brookline, Mass., and a certificate from the Leadership Institute in Keene. 

Vernon Selectboard chair Sandra Harris said, “We look forward to working with Ms. Walker as she helps us navigate the changing world of municipal government.  Her Town experience will be valuable as she steps into the role.”

Harrison said, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as the Interim Town Administrator, most of all getting to know the residents, learning the local history, and helping the Town through this transition.  I have no doubt that I’m leaving Vernon in good hands with Shelly.”

Walker becomes the fifth person to hold the Vernon Town Administrator position since the beginning of 2020. Early that year, Michelle Pong resigned from the position after serving nearly four years. She was replaced by Thomas Guerino as Interim Administrator, who served until Maggie Tuck-Sauer was hired in July. Tuck-Sauer resigned two months later in September, leading to another search for an interim administrator, which led to the appointment of Harrison.