Governor Phil Scott Announces Leadership Appointments

Montpelier, VT - Governor Phil Scott today announced three leadership appointments: Sara Teachout to the Green Mountain Care Board, Jason Batchelder as commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Misty Sinsigalli as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Sara Teachout, member, Green Mountain Care Board

Sara Teachout brings nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare policy and fiscal analysis from both the private sector and Vermont’s Joint Fiscal Office to the Green Mountain Care Board, which is responsible for regulating Vermont’s healthcare system and has a mission to reduce the rate of health care cost growth while ensuring high quality, accessible care for Vermonters.

“With all the uncertainty at the federal level, it’s more important than ever that we stay focused on making healthcare more affordable for Vermonters,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I believe Sara’s past experience as a financial analyst, as well as her recent experience with the intricacies of the health insurance market, will be advantageous for Vermont, as we continue to rein in the cost of healthcare.”

“My priority is an excellent health care system for all Vermonters that balances access to top quality care at an affordable price and a sustainable, thriving provider community,” said Teachout. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues at the Board to achieve these universal goals through the regulatory levers available to us.”

Teachout will serve a six-year term, filling the vacancy left by Robin Lunge. Per statute, the Governor appoints members to the Board from a list of candidates submitted by the Green Mountain Care Board Nominating Committee.

She holds a master’s degree focusing on public administration from the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Vermont and volunteers in her community and serves on several local boards and commissions.

Jason Batchelder, commissioner, Department of Fish and Wildlife

Batchelder previously served as the colonel of the Vermont Fish and Game Warden Service from 2014 until he retired in 2022; and more recently served as the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) commissioner from 2023 to 2025.

“Jason has served in state government in a variety of roles and has always been a strong leader and trusted member of my team,” said Governor Phil Scott. “With his experience at the Department of Fish and Wildlife, I believe he’ll hit the ground running and serve Vermonters well as commissioner.”

“I’m truly humbled to be asked to rejoin this group of mission-driven individuals who live their work, day in and day out. Additionally, I’m so grateful for my nearly two years at DEC where I’ve been immersed in an equal amount of passion and surrounded by a vocationally-driven team,” said Bachelder. “As bittersweet as it will be to leave, I’ll luckily be remaining within the agency where the three departments overlap on a routine basis.”

Currently a resident of Elmore, Batchelder enjoys hunting and fishing of all kinds, playing and coaching soccer, as well as being outside with his wife Megan and their three children. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard and is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.

Misty Sinsigalli, commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation

Misty Sinsigalli brings nearly two decades of public service experience in environmental programs, disaster recovery, and community infrastructure development. Most recently, Sinsigalli served as the Disaster Recovery Lead for the Water and Environmental Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.

“Misty’s experience at the federal level, as well as her lived experience growing up in Vermont, will be important as we balance conservation with the housing we desperately need in the state,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I believe she’ll be a strong advocate for common sense solutions and will bring a helpful perspective and expertise to the Department.”

"I am grateful to the Governor and Secretary Moore for the opportunity to lead such a vital department during these challenging times, marked by uncertainty in both our physical environment and federal policies,” said Sinsigalli “I am looking forward to collaborating with a team who exemplify the mission of DEC to their core, every day ensuring that we continue to remain responsive and accountable to current and future generations of Vermonters."

Prior to her national responsibilities, Sinsigalli dedicated four years as the area director for Vermont and New Hampshire at the USDA Rural Development. She began her federal career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a project manager, where she managed complex projects from planning through construction.