GOVERNOR-ELECT PATRICK SELECTS LESLIE KIRWAN AS ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE SECRETARY
Appointment Reflects Patrick’s Commitment to Fiscal Discipline
BOSTON – Wednesday, December 06, 2006-Governor-elect Deval Patrick today announced his selection of Leslie Kirwan as his Administration and Finance Secretary, marking the first cabinet announcement of the Patrick-Murray administration.
“I am very excited to have Leslie joining our administration,” Governor-elect Patrick said. “Her extensive leadership experience in public financial management will make her an invaluable part of our team as we are tasked with creating a state budget that meets the needs of the Commonwealth’s citizens. Leslie’s reputation for taking a fair, firm, and transparent approach to solving tough finance and management problems will be key in addressing the needs of the people of Massachusetts.”
Kirwan currently serves as the Director of Administration and Finance/Secretary-Treasurer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, where, since 1999, she has lead an 80-person Administration and Finance team that manages an annual budget of $500 million. As A&F Director at Massport, Kirwan led the most significant financial recovery among U.S. airports in response to 9/11.
“I’m very honored and excited to be asked to play a key role in Governor Patrick’s administration,” Kirwan said. “The Governor has a compelling vision for A & F, and I’m ready to build the team and face the financial challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” she added.
“Some of the most satisfying experiences in my career have been helping to solve local finance problems. I’m especially looking forward to working with local government again to help carry out Governor Patrick’s vision of a vibrant, collaborative relationship between his office and the cities and towns.”
Before joining Massport in 1997 as the assistant Director of Administration and Finance/Secretary-Treasurer, Kirwan served as undersecretary and chief of staff at the Executive Office of Administration and Finance under Governor William Weld, leading the executive office’s relations with local government.
Kirwan began her professional career at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, climbing the ladder to become Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Local Services in 1991.
Kirwan is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, and has received recognition by the Massachusetts Municipal Association for Outstanding Contributions to Local Government and by others for her work in public service and emergency management.
Kirwan holds a Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and an A.B from Radcliffe College at Harvard University.
Kirwan lives in Arlington with her husband, Ken Goode, and her two sons Andy,18, and Chris, 13.
[NB: Annoying misspellings of Kirwan’s last name have been fixed. –ed.]
does that give Patrick an open slot for one of his people at Massport?
Kirwan’s not listed on the website for the Massport board.
she’s staff.
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I’m not quick to accuse organizations or people of “buying influence” with their donations, but I’ve trouble coming up with alternatives? Both years, she bets early on the GOP and then switches at the last moment to the Dem who looks like they’ll win. By the day before the election, the $100 is fractionally as useful as it would have been in late August, and it’s not like Deval roared out of nowhere in early November. I jsut don’t get it.
She may be the bestest A&F secretary ever, but these donations are an odd pattern.
I don’t think $100 would buy anyone a job. The info isn’t that interesting or relevent.