Andrew Brewer

Andrew Brewer represents businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, and institutions before the Vermont Legislature, state agencies, boards, and commissions. He develops legislative and regulatory strategies, builds effective coalitions, and helps clients navigate complex public policy issues.

Andrew’s advises clients on economic development, housing and land use, telecommunications, insurance, regulatory affairs, and the representation of statewide trade associations. He has represented clients on many of Vermont’s most significant public policy initiatives, including housing and Act 250 reform, wetlands regulation, building energy codes, broadband deployment, insurance modernization, consumer privacy, economic development initiatives, professional regulation, and implementation of major legislation through administrative rulemaking.

Andrew works with business leaders, association executives, developers, telecommunications providers, insurers, architects, engineers, and nonprofit organizations to anticipate legislative and regulatory challenges, identify opportunities, and advocate effectively before legislative committees, executive agencies, and state boards and commissions.

Before joining DRM, Andrew owned Onion River Sports, one of Vermont’s best-known independent outdoor retailers, for more than 20 years. As a business owner, he experienced firsthand the challenges of workforce development, taxation, regulation, health care costs, and economic uncertainty. That experience shapes his practical, business-focused approach to government relations.

Based in Montpelier, Andrew helps clients understand not only how Vermont government works, but how to achieve meaningful results within it. Outside the office, he enjoys cycling, Nordic skiing, and backcountry skiing, and remains active in Vermont’s outdoor recreation community.

Our Team’s Areas of Concentration:

Technology & Data Privacy
Technology policy is moving quickly. DRM helps companies navigate emerging issues involving data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, consumer protection, and digital regulation. We monitor and shape legislation, translate complex technical issues for policymakers, and help clients navigate the development of practical legislative solutions that protect consumers while allowing innovation and business growth.

Energy
DRM helps energy companies, utilities, developers, and other stakeholders navigate Vermont’s evolving energy policy and regulatory landscape. Our work includes legislative strategy, siting and permitting, renewable energy, utility regulation, electrification, and emerging technologies. We help clients anticipate policy changes, build support, and make their case effectively with lawmakers, regulators, and key stakeholders.

Healthcare
DRM represents healthcare organizations, providers, businesses, and other stakeholders on legislative and regulatory issues affecting Vermont’s healthcare system. Our work includes reimbursement, workforce, insurance, cost containment, regulation, and healthcare reform. We help clients understand proposed changes, assess their operational impact, and communicate effectively with state policymakers and regulators.

Housing, Building Regulation & Permitting
DRM helps developers, property owners, businesses, and trade organizations navigate the policies that shape housing and development in Vermont. Our work includes Act 250, state and municipal permitting, zoning, building standards, infrastructure, and development incentives. We focus on practical solutions that reduce unnecessary barriers while helping clients navigate Vermont’s complex regulatory environment.

Education
DRM represents organizations working in public education, career and technical education, school construction, workforce development, school governance, employee benefits, and education finance. We help clients navigate major legislative reforms, funding debates, and regulatory changes, while ensuring policymakers understand how proposed decisions will affect students, educators, taxpayers, and local communities.

Nonprofit Organizations
DRM helps nonprofit organizations strengthen their voice in Vermont’s policymaking process. We assist clients with legislative strategy, appropriations, regulatory issues, coalition building, and communications with state leaders. Whether seeking funding, advancing a policy change, or protecting an important program, we help nonprofits connect their mission and impact to effective public policy advocacy.

Hospitality
DRM represents lodging properties, restaurants, tourism businesses, and industry organizations on the public policy issues that affect Vermont’s hospitality sector. Our work includes taxes and fees, alcoholic beverage regulation, workforce issues, housing, permitting, consumer protection, and tourism policy. We help clients respond to legislative developments and ensure policymakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions.

Substance Use Disorder Supports
DRM works with treatment providers, recovery organizations, healthcare entities, and other stakeholders to strengthen Vermont’s substance use disorder treatment and recovery system. Our work includes reimbursement, licensing, workforce, prevention, recovery services, state funding, and regulation. We help clients turn frontline experience into practical policy solutions and ensure that decision-makers understand the impact of proposed changes.

Nonprofit Management
Strong advocacy often starts with a strong organization. DRM works with nonprofit leaders and boards on governance, strategic planning, organizational structure, leadership transitions, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability. We help organizations clarify priorities, strengthen internal systems, and position themselves for growth while staying focused on mission, accountability, and results.

Public Relations
Effective advocacy depends on more than what happens inside the State House. DRM helps clients develop clear, credible communications strategies that build public understanding and support. Our work can include message development, media strategy, stakeholder communications, issue campaigns, crisis response, and public-facing materials. We help clients tell their story in ways that resonate with policymakers, the press, and the public.