Vermont's commissioner of economic development is leaving state government in April to return to work in media.

Lisa Gosselin said she plans to join her husband, Angelo Lynn, who owns the company that publishes the Addison County Independent. She'll focus on “business strategy, diversification and creating some new products” for Addison Press, though she would not say exactly how the company plans to diversify.

“I’m thrilled,” Lynn said of Gosselin's new role focusing on new media, including digital and mobile platforms. Business aside, he added, "We've kind of been apart five days a week." Lynn works in Middlebury; Gosselin's current job is based in Montpelier. 

Gosselin, who has been commissioner for nearly two years, will be replaced by Joan Goldstein, current executive director of the Green Mountain Economic Development Corp., Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Thursday.



Gosselin said she appreciated her time in state government, but, “At heart, I’m an entrepreneur. I have a strong background in publishing, and my husband’s company has an opportunity to grow. It’s something we’ve been discussing for a long time, and the time seems right to make this move.”

Gosselin spent seven years at EatingWell Media Group, serving as editorial director and editor in chief. Prior to that, she ran Islands magazine, Audubon magazine, Bicycling magazine and Ski magazine.

She and Lynn, who’ve been together as a couple for five years, have never worked with each other. “Having somebody who’s really worked with big national companies and learned a lot from them, I think this is a wonderful opportunity,” Lynn said.

Addison Press publishes the Addison County Independent, the Brandon Reporter, Vermont Ski and Ride magazine and Vermont Sports magazine. Lynn also co-owns the Essex Reporter and Colchester Sun with his brother, Emerson, publisher of the St. Albans Messenger.

Gosselin says she’s particularly proud of her work helping to create a new economic-development strategy for the state and launching its “Great Jobs in VT” campaign.

“I think it’s exciting to see the growth in the Vermont economy, and I think there are many good signs that it’s going to be continuing to grow,” she says. “We have a great team. We have some strong, young people who are future rock stars. I just hope I’m leaving it in a better place than when I came in.”

Political editor Paul Heintz contributed to this report.