Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY
February 21, 2013

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern opens new district offices in Leominster and Northampton; announces new staff hires

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern announced today his new district offices in Northampton and Leominster. The Northampton ribbon-cutting, at 94 Pleasant Street, took place on Friday, February 22nd. The Leominster ribbon-cutting, in Room 29 of the Gallagher Building at 24 Church Street was Saturday, February 23^rd.

Rep. McGovern also announced today that he has hired three former staffers from retired U.S. Rep. John Olver's office to serve in the offices.

Natalie Blais will serve as a District Representative in the Northampton office. Ms. Blais worked for Rep. Olver for more than seven years in various capacities including congressional aide, economic development specialist and district director of new media. She has been recognized by the New England Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for her efforts on behalf of constituents in the immigrant community. Ms. Blais has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Dickinson College and a Master of Arts degree in organizational and political communication from Emerson College. Ms. Blais lives in Sunderland with her family.

Keith Barnicle, who will also serve as a District Representative in the Northampton office, served Rep. Olver for five years as a congressional aide specializing in casework involving federal benefits and military service academy nominations. He is a recipient of the 2011 Congressional Staffer of the Year award from the Federal Executive Association of Western Massachusetts. Mr. Barnicle is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and resides in Northampton.

The Leominster office will be staffed by District Representative Eladia Romero, who previously served as a caseworker/outreach specialist for Rep. Olver in his Fitchburg district office for nearly twelve years, primarily handling immigration, social security and veterans' issues. She has also been a community liaison to numerous organizations in the area. Eladia is a resident of Leominster and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from Mount Ida College.

"My top priority as Congressman is to provide the highest quality constituent services possible. Keith, Natalie, and Eladia understand and appreciate the needs of the 2^nd Congressional District, and will be superb representatives for my constituents. I couldn't be happier to have them - and their years of experience in the area - playing key roles on my team."