Zachariah Watson

36 | Executive Director, Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity
Residence: Washington

Career highlight you are most proud of:
Having been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives to serve my communities in the General Assembly. During my time in the House, I was most proud of our work to ban single-use plastic bags, to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act, to legalize recreational cannabis and to help disperse an unprecedented $10.9 billion in federal relief funds to Vermonters in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Involvement:
Includes being a member of the Montpelier Rotary Club; Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce; Montpelier Progressive Party Caucus, where I also serve as vice chair; and the Christ Episcopal Church Housing Committee. My family and I are also parishioners of the Montpelier Christ Episcopal Church.

Motivation for living and working in Vermont:
The presence of my family and my love of Vermonters. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in “Self-Reliance and Other Essays “: “A sturdy lad from New Hampshire or Vermont, who in turn tries all the professions, who teams it, farms it, peddles, keeps a school, preaches, edits a newspaper, goes to Congress, buys a township and so forth, in successive years, and always, like a cat, falls on his feet, is worth a hundred of these city dolls. He walks abreast with his days and feels no shame in not ’studying a profession,’ for he does not postpone his life, but lives already.“

Favorite parts of your job:
When I tell an applicant that they were selected to be Habitat for Humanity’s next partner homeowner and then see them move into their new home once construction is complete. I also love working with volunteers with a wide breadth of background and experiences.

Most inspiring mentor:
Sally Miller, who helped me harness my passions and energy and turn them into something tangible.

Best career advice you have received:
Don’t become a lawyer.

Something fun about yourself that few people know:
I love writing poetry, especially about mushrooms. I enjoy the work that is involved with writing a poem and that the poems I write are not necessarily meant for anyone but me.

Three words that best describe you:
Persistent, passionate and humorous.

Favorite Vermont escape:
The North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. I love wading into the shallow waters of the Dog River on a hot summer day.

Favorite Vermont season:
Spring, because that is when I can plant my garden and search for morels.

Favorite downtime activity:
Reading.

Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
Collen Doyle. A passionate advocate of his community, he has opinions about everything and is always ready for a laugh.

Cause you would support if you had unlimited access to funds:
A livable wage for everyone.