Dean Corren


Dean Russel Corren is a former Vermont legislator. Professionally, he is currently Chief Technology Officer of Verdant Power, Inc. a sustainable energy company that develops underwater hydropower systems for the tidal, river, and ocean resources.

Early life, education and career

Corren was born in New York City, New York on May 16, 1955, and was raised in Katonah, New York. He graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont in 1977. In 1980, he got an MS degree in applied science from New York University where he subsequently worked as an alternative energy research scientist. He returned to Vermont in 1988 and became a member and eventually chair of the board of Commissioners of the Burlington Electric Department, a municipally owned utility. As chair he oversaw an unprecedented $11.3 million investment in energy conservation through a special conservation bond, and negotiated the phase out of ownership and power purchases from the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Corren is an inventor and holds a dozen patents, primarily in computer and alternative energy technologies.

Vermont government

In 1992, Corren was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives representing Burlington. He was re-elected and served a total of four terms, until stepping down in 2000. He was a member of the Vermont Progressive Party caucus in the legislature. He sponsored legislation on a wide range of issues including:
After leaving the legislature Corren went to work for then Congressman Bernie Sanders as his outreach coordinator. Corren ran unsuccessfully for Vermont Lieutenant Governor in 2014. In June 2014, he qualified under Vermont's Public Campaign Financing law by collecting small contributions of under $50 each from over 800 Vermont voters.