PHOTO BY ADELA MORA
Lynn native and Marine Corps Captain Alexander Mora serves at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. as secretary of the Navy’s White House liaison officer.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
When Alexander Mora was preparing to graduate from Lynn Classical High School, he was undecided about his future.
Paul Stafford, his teacher and mentor, suggested the military. Today, Mora, a U.S. Marine Corps captain, is the secretary of the Navy’s White House liaison officer stationed at the White House.
Mora, 34, said he was interviewed for the position last year, but didn’t think he had much of a chance and barely gave it a thought after the interview was over.
“I was shocked when the call came in April telling me I had the job,” he said. “I do believe things fall into place for a reason and I am grateful for all that has happened in my life.”
Mora said he divides his time between the White House and the Pentagon, where he conducts inquiries, which he can’t discuss.
Mora said he has earned several decorations, including a Commendation Medal, an Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.
His family includes grandmother Dorotea Frometa, mother Francisca, who lives in Lynn, dad Rafel, who calls the Dominican Republic home and four sisters.
“He is a good man who works very hard, and his new job at the White House is exciting,” said his mom, a home health aide. “He calls me everyday and sounds so happy.”
Retired teacher and friend Stafford said he is delighted with his former student’s success and looks forward to their weekly phone calls and emails.
“I still can’t believe that a two-minute conversation we had in 1999 about his plans has led to Alex being stationed at the White House,” he said. “I know he will do a great job.”
Mora and his wife, Adela, recently purchased a home in Alexandria, Va. They are the parents of a daughter, Aleksa, 11, and 4-year-old son, Eisen, who was named after dad’s hero, five-star general and president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mora said the family is settling into their new home and the future looks bright.
He said he is looking forward to his time at the White House and hopes he can represent his hometown well.
“I’m just a kid from West Lynn and I wouldn’t be here without the support of my parents, Mr. Stafford, Coach (Matt) Durgin and the staff at the Boys and Girls Club in Lynn,” he said. “They all kept me focused and off the streets, and I am forever grateful to each of them. Mr. Stafford played an integral part in my upbringing and he always believed in me. I love all of them a lot.”