Rep. Balint Announces Departure of Chief of Staff Megan Garcia

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today announced that Chief of Staff Megan Garcia will be departing her office at the end of this week to take on a new role in the private sector. Garcia has served as Balint’s Chief of Staff since she was sworn into Congress in January 2023, helping establish and lead the office through its first four years. Kate Gorud, currently Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, has also served on Rep. Balint’s team since 2023 and will succeed Garcia as Chief of Staff. Kaleigh Calvao, currently Senior Legislative Assistant, will serve as Legislative Director. “Megan has been by my side since the very beginning of my time in Congress, and it’s hard to imagine the team or the work we've done without her,” said Rep. Balint. “She came to this role with a decade of experience on the Hill, expertise on technology policy, and experience as a foundation and non-profit leader, and she brought that knowledge and leadership to the work of building our office from the ground up. She has helped shape how we work, how we serve Vermonters, and the kind of team we are. She's been an exceptional leader, a trusted confidante, and a steady partner through it all. I will miss working alongside her tremendously, but I'm so grateful for everything she's helped us build. I'm also incredibly proud of Kate and Kaleigh as they step into their new roles, and I have every confidence in the team as we keep fighting for Vermont.” “I’ll forever be grateful to Rep. Balint for trusting me to be her first Chief of Staff and giving me the opportunity to help build this office from the ground up,” said Garcia. “These four years have been some of the most meaningful of my career. I’ve had a front row seat to the way Rep. Balint leads: with so much heart, conviction, humor, and an unwavering commitment to the people she represents. Even in the hardest moments, she never loses sight of why we’re here or who we’re here to fight for. It’s been a privilege to work alongside her and to help build a team that cares so deeply about serving Vermonters. I’ll miss this work, and, most of all, the people I’ve had the chance to do it with in Vermont and in DC. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together, and I know Kate and Kaleigh will carry it forward with the same dedication and care.” Kate Gorud, incoming Chief of Staff Kate Gorud (she/her) is Rep. Balint’s incoming Chief of Staff. She has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2014 and brings more than a decade of Capitol Hill experience to her new role. Gorud has served as a key member of Rep. Balint’s staff since her first term in Congress, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. In this role, she built the Congresswoman’s Community Project Funding program, helped secure federal disaster relief funding for Vermont farmers, and led legislative efforts to advance policies that address the needs of Vermont communities and working families. Before joining Rep. Balint’s team, Gorud worked for Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) and former Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), where she honed her expertise in the federal appropriations process, worked with family dairy farms on dairy policy and helped small businesses navigate federal COVID response programs. Gorud is deeply honored to continue working alongside Rep. Balint on behalf of Vermonters. Kaleigh Calvao, incoming Legislative Director Kaleigh Calvao (she/her) is Rep. Balint's incoming Legislative Director. She has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2020, serving most recently as Rep. Balint's Senior Legislative Assistant focused on healthcare policy and foreign affairs. Before joining Rep. Balint's team, Kaleigh worked for Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), where she started as an intern and rose to Legislative Assistant handling a broad portfolio of domestic policy issues. Kaleigh is honored to lead Rep. Balint’s legislative work, advancing policies that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Vermonters.