Rick Sullivan

For other people named Richard Sullivan, see Richard Sullivan.

Richard K. "Rick" Sullivan, Jr. (born January 18, 1959) is an American politician who served as chief of staff to Governor Deval Patrick from 2014 to 2015. Before assuming the office, Sullivan was the former secretary of energy and environmental affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and former mayor of Westfield, Massachusetts.

Rick Sullivan
Member of the Westfield City Council, At-large
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 2020
Preceded by	Matthew Emmershy
In office 1990–1993
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Massachusetts
In office June 9, 2014 – January 8, 2015
Governor	Deval Patrick
Preceded by	Brendan Ryan
Succeeded by	Steve Kadish
Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
In office January 5, 2011 – June 9, 2014
Governor	Deval Patrick
Preceded by	Ian Bowles
Succeeded by	Maeve Vallely Bartlett
Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation
In office May 23, 2007 – January 5, 2011
Preceded by	Stephen Burrington
Succeeded by	Jack Murray (Acting) Edward M. Lambert, Jr.
Mayor of Westfield
In office January 3, 1994 – May 23, 2007
Preceded by	George Varelas
Succeeded by	Charles Medeiros (Acting)
Personal details
Born	(1959-01-18) January 18, 1959 (age 65) Great Barrington, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Lisa Sullivan
Children	3
Residence(s)	Westfield, Massachusetts
Education	Bates College (BA) Western New England University (JD)

Sullivan served as Mayor of Westfield from 1994 until 2007 when he was appointed commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.^[1] Under his leadership, the DCR completed several large-scale capital improvements, including a two-year, $21.3 million project at Mount Greylock State Reservation and a $9 million renovation of the visitor center at Georges Island in Boston.^[2] In 2011 he succeeded the departing Ian Bowles as Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. In this position, Sullivan was in charge of implementing Governor Deval Patrick's solar, wind, biofuel, and energy efficiency initiatives as well as overseeing land-preservation efforts and the implementation of environmental laws and regulations.^[1] On May 22, Governor Patrick appointed Sullivan as his chief of staff for the remainder of his administration.^[3]

Sullivan is a graduate of Westfield High School and holds degrees from Bates College and Western New England School of Law.^[2]

References

1. LeBlanc, Steve (December 1, 2010). "Mass. governor taps DCR chief as energy secretary". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
2. "Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr". The Official Website of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
3. Walsh, Ryan. "First on 22News: Richard Sullivan to become Governor's Chief of Staff". Retrieved May 22, 2014.