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Chelsea Resident appointed to Massport Board

Lois J. Catanzaro, a Chelsea resident, was appointed to the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority by Governor Paul Cellucci to a term running through June 30, 2001. She joins six other members under the chairmanship of Mark E. Robinson.

Catanzaro, public affairs director AK MEDIA/MA, an outdoor advertising firm in Stoneham, brings a variety of management and community service skills to the board.

Lois has good people skills. She has great sensitivity and much experience in dealing with community needs, said Scott Kafker, acting executive director of Massport.

In the private sector, Catanzaros responsibilities at AK MEDIA/MA include serving as principal liaison to business and civic leaders, coordinating ongoing community outreach efforts, executing contracts, strategic planning to attract new accounts and developing proactive responses to address wide-ranging public service objectives. For her work on behalf of the elderly, she received the Founders Award from The Committee to End Elder Homelessness.

This appointment is a great honor, said Catanzaro, and a great challenge to balance the needs of the communities with the needs of the airport, the seaport and the states economic agenda into the next century.

The public sector is no stranger to Catanzaro. Previously, she served on the staffs of several elected officials at the Massachusetts State House from 1970 to 1994. She was executive assistant to Governor Welds chief secretary and oversaw the office operation and personnel functions of the executive branch. Earlier, as executive assistant to the Senate Minority Leader, she served as liaison between the Department of Elder Services and the Minority Leaders office. And before that, as administrative assistant to the house Minority Leader, Catanzaros duties included resolving constituent problems and requests.

Between 1968 and 1970, Catanzaro was the civilian assistant to the director of military sporting events in the Special Services Division of the U.S. Army in Frankfort, Germany. A Bradford, Massachusetts native, Catanzaro earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts.

Currently, she lives on Admirals Hill in Chelsea and serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Roman Music Festival, the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and provides pro bono service to Jane Doe, Inc., an umbrella group of battered womens programs.