Boston Mayor Wu makes moves; Frank Bellotti turns 101; fireworks show ready

The mayor’s office is undergoing a staffing shakeup, with a new deputy chief of staff and press secretary highlighting the changes.

Ricardo Patrón, press secretary for the past two and a half years, has been promoted to deputy chief of staff to Mayor Michelle Wu. Emma Pettit, deputy press secretary, will now lead the press office, taking over as press secretary, effective July 1 . She joined the mayor’s press office five years ago.

“Ricardo and Emma bring a wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and passion for ensuring City Hall connects with residents in every neighborhood,” Wu said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that Ricardo is transitioning into this new critical role to build on our work to make Boston home for everyone and for Emma’s bold leadership of our press office.”

The two promotions were announced alongside the departure of current Deputy Chief of Staff Yusufi Vali, who, per the mayor’s office, will be moving out of the city to attend to family matters. Patrón will transition into the role throughout July.

Patrón will work alongside Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu in leading the mayor’s cabinet, helping to advance the mayor’s priorities, strengthen city government and ensure collaboration between city departments, local organizations and other levels of government to effectively deliver programs and services.

He joined the mayor’s team as press secretary in January 2022, after working as chief of staff to former City Councilor Lydia Edwards. Before joining city government, Patrón was a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools and a case manager in the Milwaukee Criminal Justice System.

Boss immigrated from Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico, as a child. He graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs, and lives in East Boston with his wife and son.

As press secretary, Pettit will serve as a liaison between the mayor and reporters, conveying the mayor’s policies through press conferences, interviews, public events and press releases.

She will lead a press office that also works closely with the speechwriting, digital and photography teams to “deliver a unified message about the Wu administration’s vision and to build transparency and trust,” the mayor’s office said.

Pettit joined the press office in July 2019, during which time she worked for three mayoral administrations. She climbed the ladder from press assistant and deputy press secretary to, as of next week, press secretary.

She lives in Dorchester, graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs, and enjoys outdoor recreation.

Pettit will work under Chief of Communications Jessicah Pierre, who oversees the city’s press, speechwriting, digital and photography teams.

Frank Bellotti turns 101

Former Attorney General Frank Bellotti has turned 101 years old!

He was one of the original Navy Seals and came back home to Massachusetts to embark on a political and professional career that has yet to let up. He recently celebrated his birthday at Victory Point, the waterfront restaurant on the Marina Bay boardwalk in Quincy.

Happy 101 Mr. Bellotti.

Fireworks extravaganza

Herb Chambers, a Navy veteran and Dorchester native, is sponsoring the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4. This year’s event is the 50th anniversary of the trademark fireworks show.

The 2024 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will feature The Mavericks & Kelli O’Hara along with favorites from the Boston Pops, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, and the Mugar Family Fireworks over the Charles River.