Meet the Advisory Board Member: Austin D.

BYP is run with support from a motivated team of young professionals, the Advisory Board! Learn more about the people that guide and influence the program and say hi when you see them at our next event.

Introducing Austin D.

Share a brief overview of your professional background.

Austin is a dynamic and pragmatic young professional who has spent his career at the nexus of government and the economy, where he has proven himself as an adept facilitator with the ability to convene and coordinate diverse stakeholders toward common goals. Austin serves as the Director of Government Affairs for the Lake Champlain Chamber, engaging with policymakers as a registered lobbyist to represent the needs of Vermont businesses and their employees. Prior to joining the Chamber staff, he handled Communications & Operations for Renewable Energy Vermont. He is a lifelong resident of the Champlain Valley and received a Bachelor of Science in Community & International Development from the University of Vermont. Austin volunteers as the Chair of the Green Mountain Transit Board of Commissioners.

Share a bit about your personal interests or hobbies.

When Austin is not working or volunteering, he can be found skiing, mountain biking, or ultra-marathon running in the Green Mountains and beyond.

Recommend a local restaurant/shop/business that you love.

Winooski (my town) has some awesome offerings that could use your patronage right now as we undergo construction. It's got it all! We have a great neighborhood brewery that serves up some amazing, unique beers. Pho Dang and Tiny Thai are Winooski institutions that are part of the reason I moved to the town. Mountain Valley dumplings are the ultimate recovery food. Waterworks never. ever. misses. Monkey House has your music and pizza needs covered! You can't go wrong in the Onion City on food. I've only touched on a small portion of what it offers!

Tell us what you like most about living in the greater Burlington area.

Well, if you read my food suggestions, you know that I love Winooski food and the scene at large. Broadly, you can't beat the small urban area amenities within 20-40 minutes of great skiing, mountain biking, or other outdoor adventures.

Share what motivated you to join the BYP Advisory Board.

Let's be real — it's not always easy to be a young professional in Vermont, despite the incredible upsides! This has been an excellent avenue for connecting with other YPs and advocating for our needs.