Tuesday, July 15, 6pm – 8pm
Join us at the Club to hear about this year’s session in Montpelier with State Reps Emile Carris Duncan, Jonathan Cooper, Mike Nigro, and as well as State Senator Rob Plunkett. One of the beautiful things about living in such a small state (population-wise) is that we can have direct access to our representatives. We are delighted that these four people serving on our behalf are happy to join us for an informal panel discussion.
Bios from the State Website:
Rob Plunkett, State Senator Bennington District
ROBERT PLUNKETT has served as a longtime Deputy State’s Attorney in Bennington, building a career grounded in public service. Rob serves on the board of the Bennington Rescue Squad, previously co-chaired the Bennington Charter Review Committee, and is a former member of the Mount Anthony Union School Board. Rob grew up in Bennington and graduated from Mount Anthony Union High School before going on to earn degrees from Amherst College and Brooklyn Law School. He currently resides in Bennington with his two children and their tiny dog.
Member of the Senate: 2025–present.
Committees:
Senate Committee on Agriculture
Senate Committee on Institutions, Vice Chair
Canvassing Committee
Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee
Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee
Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR)
Emile Carris Duncan, State Rep Windham-6
EMILE CARRIS DUNCAN (They/She) was raised in Rutland Vermont in a fifth generation family with 3 siblings. Their father, Bill is a business person and former Vermont State Senator. Their mother is an artist, community arts organizer, former state rep and state senate candidate.
Carris Duncan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Studies from The New School University in NY and a Master’s Degree in Photography from University College of Art in England.
Carris Duncan spent their early career in education as a substitute teacher in the Rutland public school system. They also spent time enriching the lives of young students and adults teaching photography and working as a museum educator in New York.
Carris Duncan has grown to be an award winning textile artist and small business owner. Over the past ten years they have worked as a gallery owner and arts educator in Philadelphia. They have taught in schools and worked with community-based arts organizations and larger institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, the Clark Institute, and the International Center for Photography in New York and most recently at Penn State University.
Carris Duncan is passionate about community and their work as an artist and business owner has led them to advocate for the arts and housing their communities volunteering with senior meals in Whitingham VT. Carris Duncan sits on a variety of non profit arts and civic boards including the Land Access Opportunity Board which works with stakeholders in Vermont’s housing ecosystem to provide housing and land access to the state’s diverse minority community. Though board work like this they have been able to consult on organizational diversity practices, mentored young artists and emerging business owners.
When they’re not working Carris Duncan enjoys Djing, photography, traveling, exploring, rock climbing, engaging in the arts, and foraging.
Member of the House of Representatives: 2025-present.
Committees:
House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
Canvassing Committee
Jonathan Cooper, State Rep Bennington-1
JONATHAN COOPER of Pownal has lived with his family in southwestern Vermont since 2016. Jonathan is a program manager at the Bennington County Regional Commission, where he has spent his career focusing on rural economic development in the public interest. This focus is at the heart of his campaign for public office, as well as his service on the boards of the Sunrise Family Resource Center and the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone. Jonathan is well-acquainted with the challenges working families face raising children in Vermont, as well as the special bonds that our communities form with their hometown kids. Jonathan was born in Boston. He received his education from the local Catholic schools in his hometown of Needham, Massachusetts, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 13. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St John’s College (Maryland), the Conway School (Massachusetts), and UMass Amherst.
Member of the House of Representatives: 2025-present.
Committee:
House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
Michael Nigro, State Rep Bennington-5
MICHAEL NIGRO was born and raised in upstate New York. He received a BA in Political Science and an MBA in 2009. Michael worked in behavioral health for 10 years, most recently as the director of a residential facility for teenagers in Rhode Island. After moving to Vermont, he spent eight years as the director of a Medicare-certified home healthcare. Since 2016, Michael and his wife have operated a catering/concessions business, which serves large festivals and corporate events throughout the Northeast. He is a member and past president of the Bennington Rotary, sits on the board for the Bennington Rescue squad, is a member of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Elks Lodge #567. His wife, Sarah Perrin, has sat on the Bennington Select Board since 2020.
Member of the House of Representatives: 2021–2022, 2025–present.
Committee:
House Committee on Appropriations
Tuesday, July 15, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Price: $15 Members, $25 Guests
Members save 40% on tickets
• Minimum Number of People: 5
• Maximum Number of People: 50
• Cash or Check preferred
• Credit Card add 3%
• Drinks available
Please click the reserve link and PRINT the sheet to fill it out. You can scan and email back or mail it back. IF you have trouble, you can just email us your choices.
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