There have been personnel changes in the mayor’s office, with a new deputy chief of staff and spokesperson highlighting the changes.
Ricardo Patron, who served as press secretary for the past two and a half years, has been promoted to deputy chief of staff to Mayor Michelle Wu. Deputy press secretary Emma Pettit will take over as press secretary and lead the news office, effective July 1. Pettit joined the mayor’s news office five years ago.
“Ricardo and Emma bring a wealth of experience, organizational knowledge and passion to ensure City Hall connects with residents in every neighborhood,” Wu said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that Ricardo will transition to this new, important role to further our efforts to make Boston a home for all, and that Emma will provide bold leadership in our Office of Public Affairs.”
Their promotions coincide with the retirement of current deputy chief of staff Youssuf Vali, who is relocating outside the city for family reasons, according to the mayor’s office. Patron is due to take up the role in July.
Along with Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu, Patron will lead the Mayor’s Cabinet to advance the Mayor’s priorities, strengthen City government and ensure collaboration among City departments, local organizations and other levels of government to effectively deliver programs and services.
Patron served as chief of staff to former City Council Member Lydia Edwards before joining the mayor’s team as press secretary in January 2022. Prior to joining city government, Patron served as a teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools and a case manager in the Milwaukee criminal justice system.
Mr. Patron emigrated from Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico as a child. He graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor’s in International Relations and lives in East Boston with his wife and son.
As Press Secretary, Pettit will serve as the liaison between the Mayor and the press and communicate the Mayor’s policies through press conferences, interviews, public events and press releases.
According to the mayor’s office, she will lead the news office and work closely with the speechwriting, digital and photo teams to “deliver a unified message about the Wu Administration’s vision and build transparency and trust.”
Pettit joined the communications office in July 2019 and has served in three mayoral administrations since, having been promoted from communications assistant and deputy press secretary to become press secretary starting next week.
She lives in Dorchester, holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Northeastern University, and enjoys outdoor recreation.
Pettit will report to Communications Director Jessica Pierre, who oversees the city’s news, speechwriting, digital and photo teams.
Frank Bellotti turns 101
Former Attorney General Frank Bellotti turns 101!
He was a former Navy SEAL who returned to his home state of Massachusetts to begin a political and professional career that continues unabated to this day. He recently celebrated his birthday at Victory Point, a waterfront restaurant on the Marina Bay Promenade in Quincy.
Happy 101st birthday, Mr. Belotti.
Fireworks display
Navy veteran and Dorchester native Herb Chambers is a sponsor of the Boston Pops Fireworks Display on July 4. This year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of the trademark fireworks display.
The 2024 Boston Pops Fireworks Display will feature performances by The Mavericks and Kelli O’Hara, along with Boston Pops favorites, Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture and the Mugar Family Fireworks over the Charles River.
