The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has named Winthrop resident and East Boston native Alaina Coppola as the Authority’s new Director of Community and Government Affairs. Alaina will be responsible for overseeing relations with community members and government officials and further the Authority’s goal of being a good neighbor. Elizabeth Dello Russo Becker stepped down from the position this month to become the new Executive Director of Massachusetts Association of Ch. 766 Approved Private Schools (MAAPS).
“Massport understands the importance of being a good neighbor and so does Alaina. She will bring energy, enthusiasm, and insight into her new role and I am confident she will help further strengthen our relationships with all our partners,” said Massport Acting CEO John Pranckevicius. “I also want to thank Elizabeth Becker for all her valuable contributions. Both Massport and the community benefited from her leadership. I wish her great success in her new role.”
In her new role, Alaina will act as a liaison between Massport and our local, state and federal partners, building relationships and educating officials on Massport’s programs and policies. She will manage the development, coordination and monitoring of major legislation affecting Massport and develop strategies regarding priorities and plans of the Authority. She will also oversee all of the Authority’s community giving initiatives and counsel Massport’s executive staff in the realm of community & government relations.
“Alaina will bring so much to this position, just as she has brought so much to the community,” said John Nucci, Massport Board member and lifelong East Bostonian. “I am thrilled that she is taking on this enhanced role at Massport.”
Alaina began her career at Massport over 15 years ago as an intern and through hard work, kindness, and commitment has worked her way up to the position of Director. Her other roles within the Community Relations & Government Affairs Department include Special Programs Coordinator, Community Representative, Manager and Senior Manager of Charitable Giving Programs, and most recently, Assistant Director of Administration and Community Giving. In these positions, Alaina worked to strengthen relationships with the Authority and its neighboring communities, connecting with civic and social leaders, residents, employers, and associations, as well as departments within Massport to develop strategic and community-conscious program plans. Alaina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Suffolk University.
