By John Lynds
Lifelong East Boston resident Jason Ruggiero has been appointed Assistant Manager for Urban and Community Relations for Massport’s Community and Government Affairs Department. Massport recently restructured the department and Ruggiero’s position will focus on addressing East Boston residents’ and community groups’ issues and concerns with Logan.
The position was formerly known as the Assistant Director of Community Relations and was held by Anthony Guerriero for several years. Guerriero will be dealing more with Federal Aviation issues as part of the restructuring while Ruggiero will deal with community relations and Eastie issues.
Ruggiero, a Savio Prep graduate who attended Curry College, became a familiar face in the neighborhood as a Community Relations Manager for Suffolk Downs during the racetrack’s bid for a state casino license.
Following his work with Suffolk Downs, Ruggiero spent the last year and a half working as a Project Coordinator for Massport’s Maritime Department. There, Ruggiero coordinated special events and helped facilitate the community process for ongoing projects at Massport owned properties along Boston’s waterfront like Piers Park, the Black Falcon Terminal, the Seaport District and the Tommy Butler Memorial Park in Southie.
“I’ve been with Massport for a little over a year and half and the Port Authority brought me over from the Maritime Department as part of its restricting of Community and Government Affairs Department,” said Ruggiero at a community meeting Monday night. “As a lifelong resident of East Boston and resident of Orient Heights, I’m very familiar with the issues between the neighborhood and Massport. I want to have a very open dialogue with residents and members of all the community’s neighborhood groups. I will be attending meetings on a regular basis to hear from residents on what current issues are and how we are impacting the neighborhood both positively and negatively.”
At the meeting Ruggiero handed out his business card and told residents not to hesitate in contacting him.
“I want to hear what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong,” said Ruggiero. “I also want to hear from you if you see things at Piers Park, the Bremen Street Park or the Greenway that need our attention. I may not have all the answers right away but I promise that I will certainly get you an answer as quickly as possible.”
Residents can contact Ruggiero at [email protected].