Representative Rey Garofano

Golrang "Rey" Garofano is an American politician serving in the Vermont House of Representatives, representing Chittenden-23 . She was appointed to the House in January 2022 by Governor Phil Scott, succeeding Marybeth Redmond, and was subsequently elected to serve her second term.

Garofano immigrated from Iran to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, fleeing the Islamic regime and the Iran-Iraq War. After working in several Northeast cities, she relocated to Vermont in 2005. Since 2006, she has worked as a public servant with the State of Vermont, most recently serving as the Child Care Quality Program Administrator at the Child Development Division within the Department for Children and Fathers. Prior to entering politics, she owned a Persian restaurant and worked as an associate at the Creative Discourse Group, a consulting firm.

Garofano lives in Essex with her husband, daughter, and their Portuguese Water Dog, Tilly.

Political Experience and Achievements

Garofano currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee. Her legislative priorities focus on expanding access to affordable early childhood education, strengthening systems that serve vulnerable Vermonters, and promoting government oversight and accountability.

Her professional background spans health care, affordable housing, homelessness, and early childhood education. She leads equity initiatives across the Department for Children and Families, working to advance equity, remove structural barriers, and promote meaningful inclusion. Additionally, Garofano has supported racial equity efforts in the Essex community for over a decade and serves on the board of Voices for Inclusion in Essex and Westford , a community organization dedicated to creating inclusive events and opportunities for local residents.

Education

Garofano holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Champlain College. She has also earned certificates in Trauma-Informed Practice from the University of Vermont and in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business.