PATRICK APPOINTS CHARLOTTE GOLAR RICHIE AS SENIOR ADVISER

BOSTON – Monday, July 02, 2007 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced the appointment to his senior staff of Charlotte Golar Richie as Senior adviser for Federal, State, and Community Affairs. Golar Richie most recently served the City of Boston as Cabinet Chief of Housing and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), managing housing and economic development programs and advising Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino on policy, legislation and community relations.

“I am thrilled that Charlotte is joining our team,” said Governor Patrick. “She brings a wealth of experience from both the city and state levels and a life-long commitment to our agenda.”

“It is a tremendous honor for me to be able to work closely with the Governor and his senior team to advance the goals of the Patrick Administration,” said Golar Richie. “While I will miss my work in city government and with my colleagues at DND, I am looking forward to this new opportunity for public service.”

“Charlotte is a great addition to Governor Patrick’s senior staff,” said Chief of Staff Doug Rubin. “She will ensure that we are working effectively with all areas of government – local, state, and federal – as well as responding promptly and appropriately to constituents and communities across Massachusetts.”

In her new role, Golar Richie will oversee the executive office’s interactions with the federal government and congressional delegation, state legislative relations, as well as dealings with cities and towns and local officials. In addition, she will supervise the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services and the Office of Public Liaison.

“Congratulations to Governor Deval Patrick on selecting Charlotte Golar Richie as his Senior adviser on Federal, State and Local Community Affairs,” Mayor Menino said. “Charlotte and I have worked together for many years and she has been a trusted leader on many of the housing and urban development initiatives Boston has been successful in completing. We will miss her, but know she will be a great addition to the Patrick Administration in helping the Governor accomplish his goals and vision for the future of the Commonwealth.”

As DND Director, Golar Richie managed a 200-person department with $100 million budget, including the city’s federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provide funding for housing, economic development and human service programs. Through her efforts, the city has started nearly 18,000 units of housing, including 5,000 units for affordable to low- and moderate-income residents.

She also had oversight over the DND’s Office of Business Development which has served 1,300 businesses and entrepreneurs. The Office created and/or retained 650 jobs in Boston through various agency-supported initiatives including Boston Main Streets and the Blue Hill Initiative.

Golar Richie is a graduate of Rutgers University (B.A.) and Columbia University (M.S. in Journalism); she is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Suffolk University.