PHOTO BY MARK LORENZ
Monica Harris speaks with her new boss, Sheriff-elect Kevin Coppinger, as they walk through the halls of Lynn City Hall.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — With just nine days until he is sworn in as Essex County sheriff, Kevin Coppinger has made three appointments to his leadership team.
William Gerke Jr. of Swampscott will serve as special deputy sheriff, Attorney Dennis Newman of Reading will be chief of staff and Monica Harris of Lynn will become executive assistant. They will start next month following the inauguration.
“With the assistance of my transition team, I have chosen individuals whose combined experience, skills and abilities will provide a strong leadership team working with me to bring positive results,” said Coppinger in statement. “The transition period will continue over the new few months as we assess the staffing and program needs.”
Coppinger called Gerke a skilled leader with 36 years of law enforcement service. He most recently served as security and safety director for the state of Vermont. His experience includes 33 years with the U.S. Marshals Service as an investigator and senior manager. Gerke is recognized as a security expert and has top secret National Security Information Clearance, Coppinger said.
Gerke earned a degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University. He is a graduate of and instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia and has been trained in law enforcement leadership, emergency management and security. He returned to his hometown of Swampscott to take the job.
Newman has experience with criminal justice issues, intergovernmental relations, policy and budgetary development and staff administration, Coppinger said. He graduated from Harvard University and Boston College Law School and served as special counsel in former Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office to ensure that policy goals were met. He brings strong working relationships with state, local and national government officials, Coppinger said.
Harris, who will become executive assistant to the new sheriff, now works as head clerk in the Treasurer’s Office in Lynn. She has 30 years experience in accounting, budget management, auditing and reporting. She is also proficient in grant management, research and analysis and has earned a reputation as a strong and efficient team leader and staff communicator, Coppinger said. Harris received training in accounting at Salem State University.
“It was an opportunity that was brought to my attention and I’m looking forward to working with Kevin,” Harris said.
Since his election last month to replace retiring Sheriff Frank Cousins, Coppinger has been working with his transition team to prepare for the new administration which includes District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; former District Attorney Kevin Burke; former Salem Police chief Robert St. Pierre; state Rep. Paul Tucker (D-Salem); Frances Martinez, executive director of the North Shore Latino Business Association; former Lynn City Councilor Richard Coppinger; Helen Corbett, communications consultant; Patrick Bradley, former undersecretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety; and James Jordan, former planner for the Boston Police Department.
Coppinger will conclude his eight years as Lynn’s police chief and will be sworn in as Essex County sheriff on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Lynn City Hall Auditorium. The public is welcome.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.