RI Democratic Party Unveils its new Look
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Ed Pacheco, the newly minted chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, today announced three hires to the state party staff.
Stephanie DeSilva has been named executive director. A native of Cranston, DeSilva was senior account executive at True North Communications, a Providence-based public relations firm, where she focused on public relations strategy, media relations, and social media networking for corporate, nonprofit, and political clients. Prior to True North, she was an account executive at Vision Strategies, and served as press secretary for RI General Treasurer Paul J. Tavares. DeSilva volunteered locally for Obama for America and canvassed in western Montana during the get-out-the-vote week preceding Election Day 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College where she majored in communications and political science.
Peter Asen will serve as the party’s campaign coordinator. A well-known community organizer and political activist, Asen is the departing director of Ocean State Action, a coalition of community and professional organizations advocating for social and economic justice. He returned to his native state of Maine to manage a congressional campaign in 2008 and has worked on a number of local political campaigns including the 2008 campaigns of Reps. Deb Ruggiero, Amy Rice, and Michael Rice. Asen is a graduate of Brown University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from the Labor Center at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTChristina Morra has been serving as field coordinator and associate director for the party since June 1. Morra, a Providence native, has worked at the grassroots level, from campaign fundraising to mobilizing volunteers for local officials including Providence Councilmen Seth Yurdin and Michael Solomon. She is an ardent environmental advocate with a background in sustainable building and alternative energy. Morra studied political science at Rhode Island College, and is working towards a master’s degree in public policy with a concentration in environmental policy from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
Pacheco said that “I am thrilled to welcome Stephanie, Peter, and Christina - they bring different strengths and skill sets to their respective positions. There is a great deal of work to do through this midterm election cycle, and we are ready to hit the ground running. Beyond the general, we are looking forward to building a cohesive and energized Democratic Party in the State of Rhode Island, and this is the team to get the job done."
