Donald M. Hooper
Donald M. "Don" Hooper (born October 2, 1945) is a Vermont educator, environmental activist, and political figure. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives for four terms, and as Secretary of State of Vermont for one.
Early life[edit]
Hooper was born in Hartford, Connecticut on October 2, 1945.[1] He graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968, and he received a Master of Education degree from Harvard in 1973.[1]
In his early career, Hooper was a Peace Corps teacher in Botswana.[1] He later served as coordinator of instruction and acting director for the Central Vermont region of the Community College of Vermont.[1] He also worked as director of operations for the Vermont Natural Resources Council.[1]
Political career[edit]
A longtime resident of Brookfield, Vermont, Hooper was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1984.[1] He was reelected three times, and served from January 1985 to January 1993.[1] During his House career, Hooper served as chairman of the Government Operations Committee, and served on the Natural Resources and Ways and Means Committees.[1]
In 1992, Hooper was the successful Democratic nominee for Secretary of State.[1] He defeated Republican nominee James F. Milne, and succeeded Jim Douglas, who ran unsuccessfully for the US Senate.[1][2][3]
Hooper served one term, January 1993 to January 1995.[1] In 1994, Hooper was defeated for reelection by Milne, who went on to serve two terms.[1][2]
Later career[edit]
Hooper later worked as the Northeast Regional Representative for the National Wildlife Federation.[4] He retired in 2016.[4]
Publications[edit]
Don Hooper is the illustrator of I Could Hardly Keep From Laughing: An Illustrated Collection of Vermont Humor, co-authored with Bill Mares. Publication date: December 7, 2021, by Rootstock Publishing, of Montpelier, Vermont.
Family[edit]
Hooper is married to Allison Hooper, the co-founder of the Vermont Butter and Cheese Company.[5] They are the parents of three sons, Miles, Sam, and Jay.[5]
In 2016, Jay Hooper was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives.[6]
References[edit]
Sources[edit]
Internet[edit]
- "Biography, Donald M. Hooper" (PDF). Vermont State Archives. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- "Biography, James F. Milne" (PDF). Secretary of State James F. Milne Records, 1995 to 1999. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives (2011). "Secretaries of State, 1778-2011". History of Elected Officials. Vermont House of Representatives.
- Cockrum, Zach (June 20, 2016). "National Wildlife Federation Recognizes Don Hooper of Brookfield, Vermont for Environmental Leadership". NWF News. Washington, DC: National Wildlife Federation.
- "Biography, Allison Hooper". Shelburne Farms. Shelburne, VT. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- Freese, Alicia (November 30, 2016). "In With the New: Two College-to-Statehouse Reps Prepare to Serve". Seven Days. Burlington, VT.