David Hart Weeks (born December 21, 1960) is an American politician, retired U.S. Navy Captain, and businessman who serves as the Vermont state senator from Rutland. [2] A Republican, Weeks was elected to the Vermont Senate in 2022 and 2024, as one of three at-large senators representing the Rutland County Senate district.
The youngest of five siblings, Weeks was born on December 21, 1960, on the US Submarine Base near Gales Ferry, Connecticut, the son of Geraldine A. Backensto and Robert H. Weeks. His father was a U.S. Navy Captain, submariner, and businessman who served two terms in the Vermont House of Representatives from Wallingford.
David graduated from Mill River Union High School and is a graduate of the University of Vermont, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science. He later received a MBA in Project Management from University of San Diego as a Teplitz fellow, a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. David initiated PhD studies at King's College London focusing on a national security question. [3]
Weeks first enlisted in the U.S. Marines Company B, 1st BN, 25th Marines. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy where his service included the Chief Engineer on the USS Mobile Bay. In 1997 he transitioned to the United States Navy Reserve. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, he was mobilized and deployed overseas three times, including to the Iraq/Kuwait border, where he took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. [1] He retired from the U.S. Navy in 2013 as a Captain. [4]
Weeks transitioned from the active duty Navy in 1997 to pursue a career in business. He has held various high-level program management positions in the defense and security sectors within the United States, Europe, East Asia, and Middle East. [3] He specialized in leading commercial high-tech, internationally sensitive projects valued in the billions. [4]
Weeks was elected to the Vermont Senate in 2022 and 2024, as one of three at-large senators representing the Rutland County Senate district. He ran on an economic platform focusing on infrastructure and business development. [4]
He is the Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee, Legislative Committee on Rules (LCAR), School Construction Task Force, State Aid to School Construction Working Group, VT Webportal Board, Veterans Affairs and National Guard Caucus, New England Legislative Delegation to Taiwan, Former Vice Chair of the Senate Health/Welfare Committee, and the Education Committee of Conference. [3]
Weeks lives in Proctor, Vermont with his wife, Leeanne Wootten. He has two adult children, Jacob and Sarah Weeks.
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