Following last week’s announcement that Gabriela Coletta will be joining the New England Aquarium as their external relations manager, City Councilor Lydia Edwards has announced that Ricardo Patrón will become her new chief of staff. He first joined Councilor Edwards’ staff shortly after her inauguration in 2018 as her East Boston community liaison and took over the Director of Communications role in 2020. He has led the office’s marijuana policy initiatives and dispensary review process. As chief of staff, Patrón will oversee the office’s day-to-day operations and community engagement.
“Ricardo has grown immensely while working for our community,” said Councilor Edwards. “He started part-time and will soon be the Chief of the office. He has the respect of his colleagues and so many people throughout the district have talked about his professionalism and responsiveness. I think he has learned a lot from Gabriela Coletta and will continue to reshape the role and bring a new perspective.”
“I’m incredibly excited and humbled by this opportunity,” said Patrón. “I’ve developed so many meaningful relationships as Councilor Edwards’ East Boston liaison over the last three and a half years. I’m really looking forward to developing similar relationships in Charlestown and the North End as I take on this new role and help advance the councilor’s goals for the district.”
In addition to his job on Edwards’ staff, Patrón serves on the board of directors of the East Boston YMCA, Maverick Landing Community Services, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), and the North Suffolk Mental Health Association. He lives in East Boston with his wife Kathleen and their dog, Mau.