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Two local voices named to Governor-Elect's Cabinet

By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer



BOSTON On Dec. 19, Governor-elect Deval Patrick, announced several key staff appointments that include former Chicopee Herald intern, Cyndi Roy, and former Western Massachusetts Channel 22 reporter, Nancy Fernandez Mills, to his cabinet.

Roy will serve as deputy press secretary to Patrick and Fernandez Mills will serve as the third deputy chief of staff/ communications in the cabinet.

"I've got the Western Massachusetts interest in mind," Roy said. "There is a sense that we have had governors who do not govern the whole state. [Patrick] was very serious when he said that he wanted people from Western Massachusetts."

Roy, a graduate of Chicopee public schools, said she is excited about her new position.

"[Patrick's] overwhelming win in November was a mandate. We haven't had a governor-elect win as much as he did. They [the people] are ready for change and they are hungry for change."

Roy said that her first newspaper internship was with the Chicopee Herald in 2001 while attending Emerson College.

"It was fun to cover a town I lived in my entire life," she said. "I liked that there was something different and new to cover everyday and the number of people that I got to meet was one of the best things and being able to tell stories. People who have that ability have a special gift ."

After finishing her internship, Roy went on to receive her bachelor's degree in print journalism and political communication from Emerson College.

"I always had a strong interest in politics and a love for journalism but never saw myself doing what I am doing now and being able to meld the two loves," she said.

In 2003, Roy was a reporter in the State House bureau of the Boston Globe where she covered the new administration of Governor Mitt Romney and the Legislature.

"It is funny because back in 2003 when Romney first took office I covered that as a reporter," said the soon-to-be deputy press secretary. "It is an exciting and overwhelming time. It's great to have that knowledge and experience being a part of it. It's fun being able to anticipate what reporters are going to want to cover," she added.

Roy is currently the communications director for the Massachusetts Democratic Party. She serves as the chief spokesperson for the Democratic State Committee.

"Patrick is a man who really wants to improve the lives of every single Massachusetts resident," she said. "He has such a big heart and is extremely intelligent. We will be able to look back in four years and see what he was able to accomplish. The one thing that he based his campaign on was asking people that checked out to check back in."

Roy has been assisting the Patrick Committee since September with campaign and transition team media. She currently lives in South Boston.

Roy and Fernandez Mills will join Patrick as he takes office Jan. 4, accompanied by a senior staff and communications team that received appointment alongside the two former Western Massachusetts voices.

Richard Chacon will serve as the director of policy and cabinet affairs. He is a native of El Paso, Texas. He holds a master's degree in public administration and in journalism from Columbia University.

Kyle Sullivan will serve as press secretary. Sullivan is a native of Salisbury,MA. He holds a law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston.

Mike Morris will serve as the director of governmental affairs. Morris holds a master's in public administration from Suffolk University.

Christy Mach, will serve as director of scheduling. Mach is a native of Arlington, VA. She holds a master's degree in French language and civilization from Middlebury's French language school in Paris, France.

All will take office on the Jan. 4 inaugural. The exchange of symbols and the long walk will take place on the evening of Jan. 3. Patrick will be having his inaugural celebration outdoors to accommodate crowds that are said to possibly close down Beacon Street. The nontraditional outdoor choice is said to have upset some Massachusetts lawmakers. More information about the inauguration can be found at www.jan4th.org.