About Jason Gibbs

Jason Gibbs was appointed Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) by Governor Jim Douglas in November 2008.  In just 18 months, Jason helped FPR become one of the most efficient, productive and valuable departments in state government.

Under Jason’s leadership, his department cut General Fund taxpayer financed spending by nearly 30% (more than $2 million), increased timber sales by 27%, boosted park visits by nearly 10% and made more than 1300 cord of fuel wood available to qualifying households.  Jason also guided the largest investment ($8.1 million) in park improvements—an effort that has created hundreds of private construction jobs, generated economic activity in rural areas and helped put the park system on a path to eliminate its reliance on taxpayers all together.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Jason served 6 years on Governor Douglas’ senior staff as Press Secretary, Communications Director and Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs. He was a senior policy advisor to the Governor, as well as his liaison to the National Governors Association, the Council of State Governments, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors and numerous state agencies including the Agency of Natural Resources and Vermont Emergency Management.

Early in his career Jason worked for the Alliance for Small Contractors.  He was later Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston.  Jason returned to Vermont in 2001 to work in the Office of Communication and Public Affairs at Fletcher Allen Health Care.   In 2002, he joined Governor Douglas’ first campaign for governor and served on the Governor-elect’s transition team.

He is a native of Forestdale, Vermont, graduated from Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon and attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he earned a degree in Political Science.

Jason is former chairman and vice chairman of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors Advisory Board; member of the Board of National Forests; treasurer of the Waterbury Town Republican Committee; and member of the Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association board.  He is currently a member of the Green Mountain Council executive and audit committees, the annual Eagle Scout Recognition Day committee and Sons of American Legion Post # 59.  He is also chairman of the Duxbury Republican Town Committee and a member of the Washington County GOP Committee.

Jason is the son of parents from Vermont farm families, a brother, an Eagle Scout, and an avid outdoorsman.  He lives in Duxbury with his wife, Amy, and their daughter Addison.