Michael Festa Joins Patrick
Administration as Elder Affairs Secretary
Michael Festa has been appointed and sworn in by Governor Deval Patrick's administration as the new Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA). EOEA, or “Elder Affairs” is the state unit on aging in Massachusetts charged with the implementation and administration of services designed to insure the dignity and independence of elders.
Festa, a five-term state representative from Melrose, is the fourth legislator to join the Patrick Administration. First elected in 1999, Festa had previously served as a Melrose alderman, on that town’s school committee, and as a Middlesex County assistant district attorney. Active in the state’s Democratic party, he also works with national officials on criminal justice policy.
In his position as state representative, Festa often sponsored bills to expand home and community-based “What we’ve needed in this agency is a vigorous effort to bring it out to the communities,” Festa said, calling elder affairs “my area of interest in the legislature.”
Robert P. Dean, Executive Director of Elder Services of Berkshire County, said “Representative Mike Festa has been one of the “go to” people on Beacon Hill for senior home care issues. He was the lead sponsor for the landmark Equal Choice law in 2006, and before that was a key player in the passage of the Community Choices program, which has kept thousands of people out of nursing homes. We are fortunate to have someone who understands both home and community-based services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and the workings of the State House. Mike Festa will be a great asset.”
