Elorza appoints more senior leaders

PROVIDENCE – Mayor-elect Jorge O. Elorza has appointed Marisa O’Gara, Theresa Agonia, Sheila Dormody and David Ortiz to senior leadership positions in his administration.

O’Gara, Dormody and Ortiz all worked for Mayor Angel Taveras.

O’Gara and Agonia will each serve as a deputy chief of staff in the mayor’s office. Dormody has been named director of policy and Ortiz will serve as senior adviser to the mayor and director of strategic communications. All four will report to Chief of Staff Tony Simon.

“Marisa, Theresa, Sheila and David are passionate and energetic individuals with diverse and impressive records of service to our community,” Elorza said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with each of them and the rest of my leadership team to jumpstart economic development, improve customer service at City Hall, and make Providence a city that works for all residents.”

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O’Gara currently serves as director and spokeswoman for Elorza’s transition team. Prior to that, she served as his campaign manager, overseeing a staff of 14 as well as campaign communications, field operations and fundraising, as well as finance for both the primary and the general election. She also served as deputy director of community relations under Taveras.

Agonia currently serves as business outreach and public relations coordinator for the city of Central Falls. Prior to her work in Central Falls, she worked for the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University as a communications assistant to the director.

Dormody currently serves as acting director of policy for Taveras. She is also the city’s first director of sustainability, and recently released “Sustainable Providence,” a comprehensive sustainability plan. She has led city initiatives to promote recycling and composting, energy efficiency and renewables, and stormwater management.

Ortiz is currently director of media relations and communications for the city of Providence, and previously served as press secretary for Taveras. Prior to joining the Taveras administration, Ortiz worked as the director of development for arts organization AS220. He previously worked as a reporter for Providence Business News and the Standard-Times in New Bedford.

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