SOUTH BURLINGTON — The Vermont Gas Board of Directors announced on Tuesday that Donald Gilbert will be retiring at the end of the year and Donald J. Rendall will become the new president and CEO of Vermont Gas, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
Gilbert, a Hinesburg resident, has led Vermont Gas for more than 13 years.
“I am proud of my tenure leading Vermont Gas,” Gilbert said in a statement from the South Burlington company.  “Vermont Gas is in a strong position to continue to offer Vermonters clean, low cost fuel and help transition the state to a renewable energy future.  I am looking forward to working with Don Rendall over the coming weeks to achieve a successful leadership transition.”
“The board appreciates Don Gilbert’s many years of service to Vermont Gas, his community and Vermont. He has led Vermont Gas, the state’s gas distribution utility, to strong, steady customer growth and excellent customer service over his tenure,” said Pierre Despars, chair of the Vermont Gas board. 
Vermont Gas is currently building a 41-mile pipeline extension from Colchester to Middlebury and Vergennes, and it has proposed extending that pipeline to Ticonderoga, N.Y., to deliver natural gas to the International Paper plant there. The pipeline has been welcomed by some, but bitterly opposed by others. Some landowners whose property will be crossed by the pipeline have complained that Vermont Gas has not been responsive to their requests for information and its subcontractors have not respected their property.
“The Vermont Gas Board of Directors is very pleased that veteran Vermont utility and community leader Don Rendall will become the new CEO. He is well-regarded throughout the state for his senior executive leadership as well and for his many community and professional affiliations.” Despars said.
“I am delighted to join Vermont Gas at this important time to bring innovative ideas to Vermonters to help lower energy costs and provide a cleaner energy future,” Rendall said.  “I am looking forward to working closely with our communities, customers, and the Vermont Gas team to bring the benefits of natural gas service to Vermonters in Addison and Rutland counties.”
Don Rendall is currently senior vice president of Financial and Strategic Affairs at Green Mountain Power, where he has served as an executive since 2002.  Before joining GMP, Rendall practiced law for 15 years as a partner in Burlington firm Sheehey Furlong & Behm.
Rendall has served many professional and community organizations, including the Vermont Bar Association, where he served as President in 2002; United Way of Chittenden County, where he has served as Community Campaign Chair (2006) and President of the Board of Directors (2009-2011).  He also serves on the Board of the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and is a former Chair of that board.  He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Duke University School of Law.
Don Rendall and his spouse, Sandy, are long-time residents of South Burlington. They are the parents of three grown children.  Sandy Rendall serves as Communications Director of the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston.