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Cellucci, Swift nominate Buckingham to head Massport. ONeill to be named Chief of Staff

Governor Paul Cellucci and Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift nominate Virginia Buckingham for the post of Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The Massport Board is expected to approve the choice within the next few weeks.

Whether its Logans new runway, economic development, or rebuilding our states infrastructure, Ginny has tackled the biggest issues facing Massachusetts this decade, said Cellucci. She has proven to be an outstanding manager and has the experience to lead Logan through its modernization program and build a regional transportation system that will serve New England well into the 21st century. Ensuring that Massachusetts has the infrastructure to support our booming economy is essential to creating good jobs and a good life for families in the Commonwealth, said Swift. Ginny can implement our vision of a Massachusetts prepared to compete in the international market for those quality jobs.

Buckingham currently is Chief of Staff for Cellucci and Swift, a position she started under former Governor William Weld in 1997. As Chief of Staff, she oversees the operations of State Government and acts as an advisor to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on a wide range of issues. Currently, Buckingham is finishing her last month on maternity leave. I am honored for the opportunity Governor Cellucci and Lieutenant Governor Swift have given me to lead the Massachusetts Port Authority into the new millennium, Buckingham said. The plans for a new runway at Logan and an expanded Worcester Airport, as well as the enormous potential for growth at the seaport, present exciting challenges. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on them.

Over the last three years, Ginny has been active on almost every major policy decision facing Massport. She understands what it takes to manage a public authority and move an agenda forward. Shes a great public administrator who knows the complex dynamics that exist in a major public authority, and I look forward to working with her, said Mark Robinson, Chairman of the Massport Board. Ginny Buckingham is someone I have known and respected for nine years. She is immensely talented, experienced and astute. I look forward to her arrival and her leadership. We thank Governor Cellucci and Lieutenant Governor Swift for moving this forward quickly, said Massport Chief Legal Counsel and Interim Director Scott Kafker.

In 1996, Buckingham served as campaign manager for Welds bid for the U.S. Senate. From 1994 through 1995, she was press secretary to Weld and then-Lieutenant Governor Cellucci, following her service as deputy press secretary and assistant press secretary. Buckingham received a bachelors degree in communications from Boston College in 1987. She reside in Marblehead with her husband, David Lowy, and their infant son Jack.

Cellucci and Swift also named Stephen ONeill as their Chief of Staff to replace Buckingham upon her move to Massport. ONeill currently serves as Cellucci and Swifts Chief Secretary, a position he has held since 1997. As Chief Secretary, ONeill oversees personnel matters, including all board and commission appointments, and advises Cellucci and Swift on policy issues. In his new role, he will continue to act as the Governor and Lieutenant Governors primary liaison to the Legislature. He has served in the Administration since 1991.

ONeill received his J.D. from Suffolk Law School in May 1999 and his B.A. from Merrimack College in 1988. He resides in Charlestown with his wife Kellie Cullen ONeill. Steve has been a trusted advisor to me for many years and he will be a great help to me as my new Chief of Staff, said Cellucci. He has been a driving force behind the Cellucci-Swift vision and will continue to help us as we implement our agenda of improving the quality of life for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Steve has been a true leader in this Administration, said Swift. We will continue to rely on him daily as we work to cut taxes and make sure all Massachusetts students receive a top-notch education.

It is an honor to serve Governor Cellucci and Lieutenant Governor Swift in this challenging new role, said ONeill. This Administration has made tremendous strides on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth over the last decade and I will work to help the Governor and Lieutenant Governor further build on that progress.