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12/31/07

Mayoral Staff of Mayor-Elect Domenic J. Sarno

(December 31, 2007) – Mayor-Elect Domenic J. Sarno today identified the five-member team that will comprise his Mayoral Staff as he takes office on January 7, 2008 as the city’s 54th mayor.

Said Mayor-Elect Sarno:
"It is after careful deliberation and much thought that I have reached out to these individuals and humbly asked them to join my team.

Individually, they are bright and capable professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to and love for the City of Springfield. Collectively, their broad range of skills and expertise assure me that the Mayor's Office will function as a strong and effective center of public service.

I am confident in the abilities of these five fine individuals and honored that they have accepted the challenge. I look forward to working together with them on issues large and small."

Thomas T. Walsh, J.D, Constituent Services Coordinator
Walsh comes to the Mayor's Office from ACE USA Insurance Co. in Hartford, where he worked in the liability claims department since 2006 and after practicing law as a solo practitioner in his Springfield office since 2003. He worked as a law clerk for the Hartford law firm of Gould, Killian & Wynne and as a political consultant/public relations consultant with the Springfield-based A.L. Cignoli Company. He is also a former legislative intern to Rep. Cheryl Rivera. Walsh is a board member of the Forest Park Civic Association and a member of the Springfield Ward 6 Democratic City Committee.  He is a former board member of the Sector H (Forest Park/East Forest Park) Community Policing and a past delegate of the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention.

As coordinator of constituent services, Walsh will head what Mayor-Elect Sarno has termed the "Quality of Life Flex Squad." In the newly created position, Walsh is responsible for responding to all quality of life complaints lodged by citizens. In his capacity, Walsh will log complaints and partner with appropriate city departments to investigate them on a case specific basis and work toward a resolution.  Walsh will also represent the Mayor at public forums and work with neighborhood associations.

Walsh holds a law degree from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, MA and a bachelor's degree in political science from American International College.

Carolyn Y. Jackson, Administrative Assistant
Jackson will bring to the Mayor's Office more than 27 years of municipal experience. Since 1999, Jackson has worked in the Office of Planning and Economic Development. Other departments where Jackson has worked as clerical and support staff include: the Building Department’s Board of Appeals, Housing Code Enforcement, the Assessors Office and the Police Department.

As the administrative assistant to the Mayor, Jackson will provide daily office support; provide calendar management and coordinate office logistics. Jackson will also handle a variety of paperwork; prepare proclamations and work closely with the Chief of Staff on special projects.

Azell Murphy Cavaan, Communications Director
Cavaan will continue in the position she has held with the City since February 2007. As Director of Communications, she is responsible for developing, executing and managing strategic internal and external communication strategies that support the objective of the City of Springfield. She will coordinate message content, audience impact and reach and will remain responsible for the production of materials on behalf of the City of Springfield. She will also work closely with members of the Mayor’s staff on various other projects.

Cavaan has written for newspapers and magazines in Washington, D.C, where she covered Capitol Hill; Chicago; Boston; London; Switzerland and Springfield. She is currently a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. She holds a master's degree from Northwestern University in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston.

Darryl E. Moss and Jesus Arce, Mayoral Aides
As Mayoral aides, Moss and Arce will be involved in a broad range of day-to-operations and activities. The pair will act as liaisons to residents, elected officials, local businesses, community groups and organizations, federal and state agencies.

Moss and Arce will also represent the Mayor in public forums. In due time, the Mayoral aides will be assigned to work with specific neighborhood associations within the city, though they will be familiar with all of them.

Moss brings a deep understanding of the issues facing many Springfield families to the Mayor's Office. A professional in the field of Youth Development, Moss has more than 15 years of experience facilitating programs, budgetary policies and events for youth. Deputy Director of AWAKE, Inc., Moss developed, implemented and directed intervention programs for youth.

Previous experience includes working in prevention and intervention departments at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. Moss has also worked with the Department of Youth Services; the Key Program, a Springfield-based residential treatment center; and New Opportunities, an alternative incarceration center in Waterbury, CT. Moss attended Southern Connecticut State University and Springfield College.

Arce joins the Mayor's Office with a clear understanding of the issues facing small business owners. Since 2005, Arce has worked as the owner and broker of Western Mass MTG Experts, LLC, a Springfield-based mortgage company. He is a former senior loan officer at Money Wise Solution, LLC in Easthampton and is the former owner of Arce's Jewelry in Springfield. He also ran his own tax service from 1999 to 2005. Arce holds an associate’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Turabo in Puerto Rico and has earned certificates from H&R Block, Springfield Technical Community College and Edmund G. Wood Real Estate. He is a member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.

All members of the Mayoral Staff reside in Springfield.



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