VERMONT EXCELS WITH SMART BUSINESS PRACTICES
by KYLE SWARTZ
Wendy Knight, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, has an extensive background in business, hospitality and tourism.
Prior to her current position, she served as Vermont’ s Commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and vice chair of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative. She was also part of the senior leadership team at the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and a strategic lead for ThinkVermont, a state economic development initiative.
Her background also includes running a craft beer store in the Adirondacks, and writing more than 100 articles for The New York Times, largely on travel and leisure. She also spent time working for her family business.
Valuing all this relevant experience, Vermont Governor Phil Scott appointed Knight to the Department of Liquor and Lottery in 2021.
“ It’ s the best job I ever had,” says Knight, of running the dual department with 80 employees.“ We have an amazing department, and the governor is an amazing individual to work with as well.”
“ Being a retailer in the past gave me real insight into that world,” she added.“ Retail is a difficult space. I have the ut-
⊳ Wendy Knight, Jen Fisher, Dave Hamlin, Tonia Pryce, Heather Duke, Rich Morey and Danielle Jensen.
14 StateWays • Spring 2026 www. stateways. com