As Gov. Deval Patrick grapples with layoffs and budget deficits, he has hired a close neighbor in Milton to be the state’s $120,000 director of real estate services, the Herald has learned.Attorney and real-estate consultant Dana Harrell, 60, a frequent contributor to Patrick’s campaign coffers, was introduced Oct. 27, less than two weeks after Patrick announced 1,000 jobs would be lost to the state’s $1.4 billion budget crunch.
Harrell lives less than a quarter mile from Patrick.
He was brought into the Division of Capital Asset Management to help turn the state’s real estate assets into moneymakers. It appears the post is new, though repeated requests to Patrick’s administration for clarification went unanswered.
DCAM Commissioner David Perini said this in a statement: “This position filled a much needed role at DCAM, particularly at a time when we are trying to maximize our state real estate holdings to ensure we are finding expanded revenues, savings and efficiencies during these tight fiscal times.”
Perini praised Harrell as “extremely well qualified.”
“With over 30 years of experience in both the development and management of major real estate assets, he has quickly become a valued member of the team at DCAM,” he said. “As the administration continues to make substantial investments in the commonwealth’s infrastructure, Dana’s expertise will be essential.”
UPDATE: More from the Herald.
SECOND UPDATE: More from the Herald.
THIRD UPDATE: More from the Globe and Herald.
