Mayor Sarno's Staff
William J. Baker, Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Bill Baker provides a wide variety of professional support to Mayor Sarno. Assignments are received from, carried out for, and reported to the Mayor. Bill coordinates activities of the Mayor with other divisions and departments. In addition, he represents the Mayor at meetings when required and appropriate; advises the Mayor, providing extensive professional assistance, project management and recommendations on City issues and performs highly responsible management work covering a broad range of municipal activities, including supervision of the Mayoral staff. He also serves as the Mayor's liaison with various entities and many other city collaborates.
Bill has served as an integral part of Mayor Sarno’s administration for over a decade. Before being appointed Chief of Staff, Baker served as Mayor Sarno’s Director of Communications and earlier as Director of Constituent Services. Often considered a ‘Jack of all Trades’, not only serving as a spokesperson for the Mayor and the City of Springfield with the media, but also acting as the Mayor’s liaison with other city departments, state and federal officials and agencies, local public utility companies, and for our neighborhoods, residents, businesses and nonprofits.
Baker also previsouly served as a Legislative Aide to former State Representative Sean Curran and is a former Chair of the Ward 2 Democratic City Committee. Baker is also a former member of the Board of Directors for Springfield Partners for Community Action.
Baker holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from American International College as well as Bachelor’s Degree in Government and World Affairs from the University of Tampa. Baker was born and raised in Springfield.
Judi Crowell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Judith began her career with the City of Springfield in 2017 and has worked for the City’s Law Department and Police Department. As the Mayor’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, she is responsible for entry-level recruitment for the City’s Police and Fire departments, investigation of internal AA/EEOC complaints, and continued development of culturally competent policies, procedures, and initiatives. Judith has an M.S. in Developmental Psychology, an M.B.A., and a certificate in Intercultural/Multicultural & Diversity Studies.
Molly E. Shea, Director of Communications
As Director of Communications, Shea is responsible for developing, executing, and managing strategic internal and external communication strategies that support the objectives of the City of Springfield. She coordinates message content, audience impact and reach across multiple communication platforms. Molly represents the Mayor at public events and in the media. Additionally, she is responsible for the production of materials on behalf of the City of Springfield and for responding to media inquiries.
Prior to taking on the role of Communications Director, Shea has served in Mayor Sarno’s office as Mayoral Aide, Director of Constituent Services, and Deputy Communications Director, being involved in a broad range of day-to-day operations and activities. In addition to communications work, Shea sits on several different internal committees. Molly also serves on Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalitions Marketing Committee.
Shea earned her B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies at UMass Amherst and went on to study at Northeastern University School of Law. Prior to joining the Mayoral staff, she worked as Marketing Coordinator for a mid-sized law firm in Springfield. She is a proud Springfield native and resident.
Genesis Velez Roque, Constituent Services Director
As Director of Constituent Services, Genesis Velez Roque heads what Mayor Sarno has termed the "Quality of Life Flex Squad." She is responsible for responding to all quality of life complaints lodged by citizens and is the Mayoral representative on the “Quality of Life Flex Squad,” which consists of police, housing and law department officials.
In her capacity, Genesis works closely with the 311 Call Center to log and review complaints and partners with the appropriate city departments to investigate them on a case specific basis and work toward a resolution. She is a liaison to residents, elected officials, local businesses, community groups and organizations, federal and state agencies. Velez Roque also represents the Mayor at public forums and works with the city’s neighborhood associations. In addition to constituent work, she sits on several different internal committees.
Genesis formerly served as a Mayoral Aide, utilizing her excellent her customer service and people skills to help our residents and business community.
Velez Roque, who was born in Puerto Rico, moved to Springfield after the island was devastated from Hurricane Maria. During her transition of adjusting to her new life in Springfield, she worked various jobs while putting herself through college.
Previously, Velez Roque served as a Customer Service Representative for the city of Springfield's Collectors Office. Velez Roque holds an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Holyoke Community College and brings an extensive background in the customer service field.
Minerva Marrero, Administrative Assistant
As the executive assistant to the Mayor, Marrero provides daily office support; which includes calendar management, scheduling and the coordination of office logistics. Additionally, Marrero handles information management, coordinates proclamations, assists departmental staff and constituents in conducting business with the Mayor's Office, as well as working closely with the Chief of Staff on special projects.
Marrero has a wealth of experience in customer and constituent services. She is involved in a broad range of day-to-day operations and activities and acts as a liaison to residents, elected officials, local businesses, community groups and organizations, federal and state agencies. Marrero also represent the Mayor in public forums.
Marrero previously served as a mayoral aide and as a district legislative aide to former State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera and is a former clerical coordinator for the New North Citizens’ Council. In total, Marrero has over 20 years in customer service administration.
Shenell R. Ford, Mayoral Aide
As a Mayoral Aide, Shenell Ford is involved in a broad range of day-to-day operations and activities. She is a liaison to residents, elected officials, local businesses, community groups and organizations, and state and federal agencies. She also represents the Mayor in public forums. Mayoral Aides are assigned to work with specific neighborhood associations within the city, though they are familiar with all of them.
Ford is the the founder of Heart2Heartbeat Lactation and Wellness, which is committed to focusing on the communities need for lactation and breastfeeding care, support and education for mothers and families. She also serves as a Training Facilitator for the Children’s Trust Massachusetts. Ford previously worked as a Research Associate Lactation Consultant at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is very active in the community serving on numerous boards and committees in support of mothers, babies and their families.
Ford holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Temple University and is a Certified Lactation Counselor and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She is a member of the National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC), Mass Lactation Consultant Association (MLCA), and Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition board of directors.
Rose McCaffrey, Mayoral Aide
As Mayoral Aide, Rose McCaffrey is involved in a broad range of day-to-day operations and activities. She is a liaison to residents, elected officials, local businesses, community groups and organizations, federal and state agencies. She also represents the Mayor in public forums. Mayoral Aides are assigned to work with specific neighborhood associations within the city, though they are familiar with all of them.
McCaffrey, a former intern in Mayor Sarno's Office, graduated from AIC with a triple-major in Political Science, Public Relations and Media Communications. She is also studying to recieve her Master's in Public Administration at Villanova University.
All members of the Mayoral Staff reside in Springfield.