Manchester Mayor-elect Jay Ruais will announce Wednesday two more hires in his office — Angela Leach, who will serve as communication director, and McKenna Gladysz, who will serve as office manager.
Leach has over 20 years of experience working in state government, most recently as assistant chief of staff and director of administrative and committee services for the New Hampshire State Senate, where she developed “strong relationships with elected officials, department heads, and members of the media,” Ruais said in a statement.
A Manchester resident for 15 years, Leach has worked at Gossler Park Elementary School the last five years as an administrative assistant, where she worked with parents, teachers and staff.
Gladysz was born and raised in Manchester, and recently earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University.
She has served at the New Hampshire Food Bank, Salvation Army, coached youth sports and is the social media director for Manchester Youth Sports.
“I am excited to announce the hiring of Angela and McKenna as we prepare to take office in January,” Ruais said in a statement. “Along with Chief of Staff Nick Pappas, our staff brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and energy to hit the ground running on Day 1.
“They will be essential assets to our city and I look forward to working with them to tackle our challenges and bring Manchester to new heights.”
Ruais recently announced the roster for his 30-member transition team as he prepares to be sworn in Jan. 2.
The team — including names that should be familiar to those who follow Queen City politics and business news — is expected to offer input on issues including, but not limited to, homelessness, public safety, economic development, housing and education, Ruais said.
The transition team includes:
• Hon. Frank Guinta, former mayor of Manchester and former congressman
• Tim Baines, former alderman and small business owner
• Norri Oberlander, president of North End Properties
• Sandra Almonte, owner Don Quijote Restaurant
• Jeremy Hitchcock, co-founder and managing director of New North Ventures
• Ben Gamache, founder and president of Gamache Properties
• Toni Pappas, Hillsborough County Commissioner
• Michelle Chretien, CEO, Empire Mortgage Corp.
• Cristy Velez, assistant dean of student success, Southern New Hampshire University
• Philip Taub, partner head of Private Equity Nixon Peabody
• John Hughes, partner McLane Middleton
• Lucy Lange, president and general manager of the Manchester Radio Group
• Patrick Tufts, president and CEO of Granite United Way
• Susan Howland, Director of Trusts and Foundations Granite United Way
• Tom DeBlois, president, Tokena Corporation
• Gus Fromuth, president and founder of Energy Freedom Logistics
• Tom Blonski, president and CEO, Catholic Charities New Hampshire
• Sarah Ambrogi, Managing Partner, Ambrogi Law Office
• Nick Gray, founder and managing principal, Gray Property Group
• Nathan Stanton, president, Trinity High School and St. Joseph Regional Junior High School
• Travis York, founder and CEO, York Creative Collective
• Zachery Palmer, Ward 5 Resident and community economic development professional
• Nick Vailas, health care advisor
• Diego Catano, owner, Antojitos Colombianos Restaurant
• Abderazak Ali, owner of Mapway Transit LLC and Immigrant Community Liaison
• Ovide Lamontagne, senior counsel of Bernstein Shur
• Will Infantine, president of Aspen Insurance and state representative
• Jason Lacroix, general manager, Autofair Honda
• Laura Gandia, counsel, Devine Millimet
• Mark Sanclemente, Manchester Police Department
Ruais previously announced the hiring of former Ward 6 alderman and Manchester City Charter Commission member Nick Pappas as chief of staff.
Pappas was elected alderman in Ward 6 in November 2015, defeating Karen Ladd.
In March 2017, Pappas announced he would be resigning from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen after selling his Hermit Road home “much quicker than expected.”
Ruais, 38, defeated former state senator and current Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Cavanaugh in November to become the first Republican mayor in Manchester since 2017.
Official vote totals showed Ruais topping Cavanaugh 9,428 votes to 8,934, at 51% to 49%.
Ruais will take office with an evenly-split Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The conservative faction includes Chris Morgan, Krissy Cantor, Ross Terrio, Ed Sapienza, Norm Vincent, Kelly Thomas and Joe Kelly Levasseur. The Democrats are Dan Goonan, Pat Long, Christine Fajardo, Tony Sapienza, Jim Burkush, Bill Barry and Dan O’Neil.
Ruais represents a conservative tie-breaking vote, if necessary. Assuming block voting, that will give Republicans a majority on the board for the first time since 1998.
