Meet Our Executive Team
Thomas Dunn
Mr. Dunn currently serves as President & CEO of Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO). Mr. Dunn joined VELCO in 2000 and advanced through several positions within the Company including: Director of Capital Projects, Vice President for Transmission Services, and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining VELCO, Mr. Dunn was the Chief of Engineering at the Vermont Public Service Department from 1992-2000. From 1985 to 1990 Mr. Dunn was a Field Engineer at the Massachusetts Electric Company. Mr. Dunn is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and has an MBA from Boston College.
Michele C. Nelson
Michele joined VELCO in 1995, serving as Manager of Accounting. In 2008, she became Assistant Treasurer, and has been Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2010. From 1990 to 1994 she served as Internal Auditor at Central Vermont Public Service. She holds a Bachelors of Science from the University of Vermont.
Michael Fiske
Mike Fiske is a seasoned professional in the utility industry, bringing nearly four decades of experience to his role. A dedicated member of the VELCO team since 2000, Mike currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer where he oversees critical company functions, including Planning, Engineering, Operations, Safety, and Transmission Services. Prior to his current role, Mike has held several key positions such as Substation Supervisor, Construction Manager, Director of Transmission Assets, and Senior Director of Transmission Assets. Mike's comprehensive knowledge is underscored by his Master Electrician License from the State of Vermont Apprenticeship program. He and his wife reside in Rutland, Vermont.
Cheryl Mullins
Cheryl Mullins joined VELCO as Director, Human Resources in July 2020. She has extensive experience in human resources in multiple industries, most recently serving as the Director of Human Resources for Middlebury College. Cheryl holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Castleton University and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. She and her husband live in Orwell and have two grown children.
Dan Nelson
Dan currently serves as Vice President of Technology and leads the Telecommunications and Information System teams. His background includes twenty years serving in a variety of management and director positions responsible for conception, build out, and maintenance of VELCO's 1,600-mile fiber optic network. Dan earned his Electrical Engineering Technology degree from Vermont Technical College in Randolph.
Brian Connaughton
Brian Connaughton serves as Vice President of Transmission Services at VELCO where he is oversees the Transmission Services and Asset Maintenance divisions, playing a critical role in ensuring the safety and reliability of the system. Brian began his career at VELCO in 2007 as an Environmental Specialist, and continued to advance through diverse roles such as Environmental Manager and Director of Transmission Services. Brian earned a B.A. in Natural Resource Studies with a Minor in Wildlife Fisheries from UMASS and a Masters of Business Administration from the College of St. Joseph. He resides in Pittsford, Vermont with his wife and three sons.
Mark Sciarrotta
Prior to his 2007 arrival at VELCO, Mark was as Vermont Assistant Attorney General representing the State in all aspects of complex environmental cases, civil litigation and criminal prosecutions in state and federal courts. In addition to ensuring the company’s legal and ethical compliance, Mark leads the company’s sustainability efforts. Mark earned his law degree from Vermont Law School, where he currently serves as a Trustee, and his undergraduate degree from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Mark and his three children currently reside in Montpelier, Vermont.