Moving Up: Rep. Carlo Basile picked as Deputy Chief of Staff for Incoming Baker Administration

EB1State Representative Carlo Basile will leave office in January to become Deputy Chief of Staff to incoming Governor Charlie Baker.

As Deputy Chief of Staff Basile will help oversee intergovernmental affairs and assist the governor in selecting applicants for boards and commissions for the upcoming administration.

Basile, who was reelected to his state rep seat last month by an overwhelming margin of 77 percent to 23 percent against challenger Celeste Myers, will be sworn in as Baker’s Deputy Chief of Staff on Wednesday, January 7.

“I have enjoyed working on behalf of the people of East Boston over the past seven years. Together we’ve accomplished a great deal,” said Basile. “I look forward to helping Charlie Baker as he assumes the role of governor. He will make a great governor and I am humbled by the opportunity before me.”

Governor-elect Baker said, “I’ve known Carlo for many years and have seen first hand his commitment to the people of East Boston and the Commonwealth. He has brought compassion and fairness to the state house during his tenure as state rep and these qualities undoubtedly will help my administration move forward. I’m proud that he has accepted the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and I feel his experience in state government will be an asset to my team.”

Basile was first elected during a special election in 2007 after Senator Anthony Petruccelli vacated his state rep seat to become state senator. Basile topped the ticket in a four-way race that summer.

“The news about representative Basile is bittersweet for me,” said Petruccelli. “He has been a tireless advocate for the people of East Boston. I have no doubt that he will do the same in his new role. He’s a close friend and I wish him the best.”

While in office Basile served as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services with Petruccelli before being appointed chair of Veterans Affairs by Speaker Robert DeLeo.

As Veterans Affairs chair, Basile co-authored the Valor Act, which was signed into law be Gov. Deval Patrick. The law calls for state money to be granted to wounded veterans returning home from overseas conflicts that require home modifications to accommodate handicaps.

Basile also cofounded the annual Wounded Vet Ride in the area along with former U.S. Marine Andrew Biggio that raises money for wounded veterans.

Basile was born and raised in Eastie and has spent his life giving back to his community. Basile attended East Boston public schools and later St. Dominic Savio High School. He then took his studies to Suffolk University where he pursued a degree in criminal justice.

After attending Suffolk University, Basile sought opportunities to improve the quality of life in his community.  While on the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, he worked closely with local law enforcement officers to locate and arraign individuals that were issued warrants. In 2002, he became Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, where he addressed the agency’s personnel, labor and employment issues and served as liaison to the Governor’s office and other state agencies.

Throughout his life Basile has been active in many community and athletic activities throughout his life, whether it was basketball at the Salesian Boys Club or street hockey with the local teams.

Recently, he turned to coaching basketball and soccer so the community’s children could have the experiences he was lucky enough to have as a youth.  He has also been active in the local Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the local Kiwanis Club, and sits on the board of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA of East Boston.

“The Commonwealth and Governor-elect (Charlie) Baker are lucky to have one of the most decent hard-working people I have ever known,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina. “I wish Carlo well and know that he will stay true to his roots in the community he loves.”

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