Gov. Baker Appoints Mayors Sullivan, Mazzarella to MassDOT Board

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BOSTON - Governor Charlie Baker today announced the appointment of Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella to the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The MassDOT Board was expanded to 11 members by the Legislature this year based upon a recommendation by Governor Baker's Special Panel comprised of transportation leaders that was assembled to review structural problems with the MBTA and deliver recommendations for improvements.

"These leaders bring a deep understanding of the transportation issues facing communities and important perspectives to our focus on fixing the system for customers," said Governor Baker. "I look forward to the expanded Board working in partnership with the new MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board as we strive to deliver improved service."

"Mayor Sullivan brings to the Board an advanced understanding of the needs of our cities and towns that depend on reliable transit service," said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. "Whether its Commuter Rail service, or connections to bus and rapid transit, both Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Mazzarella will represent a strong local voice on the Board."

"Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Mazzarella understand the challenges we are addressing in delivering efficient, multi-faceted transportation services in cities, towns and neighborhoods large and small," said MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack. "I am delighted to welcome them to the Board and excited about their contributions to our work."

Joseph Sullivan was elected as Mayor of Braintree in 2007 and reelected in 2011. From 1993 to 2003, he served as a State Representative and was Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation for six years. Mayor Sullivan served as a member of the Transportation Finance Commission in 2006, which identified the important needs of transportation throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and is a member of the Metropolitan Boston Mayors' Association. In 2015, Mayor Sullivan was appointed to serve on the Governor's Special Panel to Review the MBTA, which was charged with conducting an in-depth, rapid diagnostic of the transit system's core functions.

Dean Mazzarella has served as the Mayor of Leominster and Chairman of the Leominster School Committee for the past 22 years. As Mayor he has focused on fiscal stability, economic development, and improving the quality of life in Leominster. The Mayor also has served as the Management representative for the state's Joint Labor Management Committee for the past 16 years, successfully resolving labor/management contract disputes across the Commonwealth. He also serves on the Montachusett Metropolitan Planning Organization. Prior to his election, Mayor Mazzarella served as a Leominster Police Officer for 10 years. He is a small business owner, operating Central Flag & Flagpole for more than 30 years.

Sullivan and Mazzarella join the following MassDOT Board members:

Stephanie Pollack, MassDOT Secretary and Board Chair
Ruth Bonsignore
Dominic Blue
Lisa Calise
Robert Moylan, Jr.
Steve Poftak
Betsy Taylor
Monica Tibbitts-Nutt

The MassDOT Board is comprised of 11 members appointed by the Governor and oversees all MassDOT operations including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Highway Division, Mass Transit, Aeronautics, the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), Office of Planning and Programming and the Office of Performance Management and Innovation.