City Councilor Paul Scapicchio has announced that he will resign from the council in April to head ML Strategies LLC's Massachusetts government relations group as senior vice president.
Scapicchio, who has been a councilor since 1998, is currently a lawyer to ML Strategies' parent law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, P.C.
"I have enjoyed my time on the council and have tried to be a positive voice for the communities and the city I love," said Scapicchio. "I will, of course, still live in the neighborhood and remain involved with my constituents in many ways. However, this is an opportunity to take everything that I have learned in terms of bringing businesses to Boston, developing the waterfront, and working at all levels of government to help Boston grow in a positive way, while aiding clients in collaborating with city and state government."
Scapicchio intends to retain his council seat until April 30th of this year and begin at ML Strategies in May. However, he noted that fulfilling the needs of his constituents and ensuring a smooth transition to a new city councilor remains his top priority. ML Strategies has given him the flexibility to address those issues.
During his eight years on the council, Scapicchio headed key committees, such as Intergovernmental Relations, the council's main liaison with the Massachusetts legislature and the governor's office. He also headed the Committee on Economic Development, which focused on bringing new jobs and building projects to Boston. As a 31-year-old newcomer to the council, Scapicchio spearheaded the city's effort to construct the $750 million Massachusetts Convention and Exposition Center. Scapicchio was also Mayor Thomas Menino's appointee to the Boston Neighborhood Jobs Trust and council's choice to serve as trustee of the Boston Neighborhood Housing Trust. He also serves as chair of the Committee on Aviation and Transportation.
"Paul Scapicchio's commitment to his constituents in District One since his election in 1998 has made a lasting imprint in the communities of East Boston, Charlestown, the North End and Downtown," said Menino. "Paul easily found a balance between the neighborhoods he represented while supporting the economic growth and vitality of Boston. His commitment to affordable housing and understanding of the role that development has in our city will be a great asset as he joins ML Strategies. I wish him the best of luck and look forward to working with him in his new role."
Steve Tocco, president and CEO of ML Strategies, said Scapicchio's extensive knowledge of the development process in Boston, as well as his long-term relationships with key members of the legislature and the executive branch, make him the perfect candidate to lead ML Strategies government relations in the commonwealth.