Representative Herb Olson

Herb Olson was born in 1951 in Mineola, Long Island, New York. His family relocated to Toronto, Canada, following his father's employment. He currently resides in Starksboro, Vermont.

Beyond his legislative work, Olson has been deeply involved in his community through numerous civic memberships, including service on the Mt. Abe High School Board, Starksboro Planning Commission, Addison County Regional Planning Commission, and the Counseling Service of Addison County. He has also participated in community youth sports and local historical preservation efforts.

His personal interests include coastal sailboat cruising, skiing, hiking, gardening, and amateur history. He is a grandfather.

Education

Olson completed his secondary education in Massachusetts before attending Middlebury College. He earned his law degree from Northwestern School of Law in Portland, Oregon in 1976.

Political Experience and Professional Background

Party & District: Olson is a Democrat representing the Addison-4 District in the Vermont House of Representatives, which encompasses Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, and Starksboro. He has served as a state representative since 2025.

Professional Background: Prior to his legislative service, Olson built an extensive legal career in both the public and private sectors. He worked at Vermont Legal Aid, served as Assistant Attorney General for the Departments of Mental Health and of Corrections, and served as a Legislative Counsel staff attorney assisting various House and Senate committees. He also held the position of General Counsel for the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, and worked for the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.

Committee Service: In the House, Olson serves on the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. His legislative priorities include education funding and rural housing development.