Representative Dennis LaBounty is a native of the Northeast Kingdom. He was born in Newport, Vermont and is Catholic. He is married to Diane and they have three adult sons. He graduated from Berlin Technical College in Berlin, NH and holds a degree in Applied Science.
A machinist by trade, he’s been a union member since 1978, first with the Machinist Union (IAM), then with the United Electrical Union (IUE), and for the last twenty-four years with United Steelworkers (USW). In 1997, he was chosen by the steelworkers to do a three-month Political Internship in D.C. where he spent most of his time on Capitol Hill lobbying legislators. Shortly afterward, he was made a staff member of the United Steelworkers for which he took care of contract negations, grievances and arbitrations for thirty-four branches in Vermont, New Hampshire, parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and the Northwestern part of New York.
Prior to his retirement in July 2021, he was the Political Director of the Vermont AFL-CIO for 18 years. During that time, he was at the State House almost every day when the legislature was in session. He worked with legislators, legislative council and many other labor affiliates in drafting legislation. He also oversaw the day-to-day operations of the office. He currently drives a school bus for Burke Town School.
His community involvement includes coaching Little League, being a member of the board of the Outing Club of Lyndonville, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Coats for Kids, Project Hope, Wounded Warrior, the Wheelchair Project, and the Backpack Food Project. Heis a member of the Knight of Columbus.
He enjoys playing golf, camping, and watching the Patriots, Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox.