Representative Gayle Pezzo

Gayle Pezzo is a Democratic representative serving Chittenden-20 in the Vermont House of Representatives, a position she has held since 2025. She represents Colchester in Chittenden County.

Pezzo grew up in Long Beach, New York and relocated to Colchester, Vermont in 2016 to be near her adult daughter and grandson. She is deeply committed to advocacy around mental health and substance abuse issues, affordable housing, environmental justice, and climate resilience. Beyond her legislative work, she enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her 10 exotic parrots, cooking, reading, boating, and fishing.

Education

Pezzo attended Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York, where she earned a degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling.

Political Experience

Pezzo brings over two decades of professional experience in mental health and substance abuse treatment. She worked as a counselor and clinical director in medically managed intensive care outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities, specializing in comorbidity treatment. She also served as a volunteer for a crisis literacy and suicide hotline.

Her community involvement has been extensive. She was a member of the Vermont State Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the Mobile Home Task Force. For the past five years, she has organized community efforts that successfully created an Incorporated Municipal Village in Colchester. She is a founding member and current Board President of her resident-owned mobile home cooperative, serving approximately 500 residents in that capacity for the past five years.

Additionally, Pezzo is a small business owner who formerly operated a pet store and continues operating a home-based business selling parrot supplies. She currently serves on the House Committee on General and Housing.