Anthony Guerriero Metro Interview

Anthony T. Guerriero
Title: Senior Community and Federal Relations Representative
Company: The Massachusetts Port Authority
Education: B.A. - Salem State College, M.A. - University of Massachusetts

A Revere native, Anthony began his professional career as a legislative aide for State Senator Tom Birmingham (D-Chelsea). He became District Director in 1992 when Birmingham became Senate President, and handled all policy and constituent issues in the Senator’s district. Anthony joined Massport in 2003, and serves as the agency’s point person with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and the community. He has also been a Senior Visiting Instructor in the History Department at Salem State College for the past ten years.

AG: I truly enjoy helping people. My position brings me into contact with a variety of individuals from every spectrum of life in the Commonwealth. While my job is to help Massport advance its business mission, I am also given the opportunity to work on some great projects that have wonderful benefits in the community, such as Massport’s new 18.8 acre Bremen Street Park in East Boston.

PG: If you were recruiting someone to work for you, what would be your number one selling point about the company you work for?

AG: Because Massport runs Logan International Airport and the Port of Boston, it is at the center of economic development in Massachusetts. So anyone working for Massport not only can have an exciting career in transportation, the maritime industry and community partnerships, but also has a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to their community.

AG: I love the little streets, and the overall historic theme of Boston. In addition, I believe that Boston’s great diversity is its greatest strength! I love to people watch, and look at those that make-up our constituency in Massachusetts. No other state can compare for what Massachusetts has to offer in the field of education, medicine, and the bio-medical industry. Plus having the 2007 World Series Champions is a nice bonus.

AG: As a public employee, I am not allowed to take a client to lunch. However, I love the 21^st Amendment up on Beacon Hill. A great atmosphere with terrific food!

PG: If you could have any job in Boston, other than your own, what would it be and why?

AG: Other than being the General Manager of the Red Sox, I would have to say an administrator in higher education. I am a teacher by professional incarnation and love working with students. I was very fortunate to have had positive experiences during my years at both Salem State and UMass, and I would use my professional experience to affect change positively in an education setting. Working with students is exciting. It would also be exciting to work on policy that helps improve their education experience. What is most gratifying as a teacher is witnessing a student develop both intellectually and as an adults.

AG: Enjoying my family and friends and having a positive career experience that I can share with others.

AG: My patio, which is quaint. The golf course. New Hampshire. In the winter, my wife and I love to visit the local museums such as the Isabella Gardner Stewart Museum, the MFA and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.

AG: I have two. First, “return every call, no matter who it is”, I learned that on my first day on the job from Tom Birmingham. And second, “the people you see on the way up, are the same as the people you see on the way down!” That’s very important and very real. I have taken the long path up and down the mountain top, and in my field of government/public relations, all you have is your reputation so you must treat everyone equally and professionally.

AG: When I worked at the State House, naturally the staff would head over to the 21^st Amendment. My office is at Logan Airport, so we like to jaunt over to the Hyatt Hotel which as the best views of Boston.

AG: With a focus on local businesses, I like the Henry-Werner-Lucchino group at Fenway and the Kraft family in Foxboro. This admiration has little to do with their success on the field, which is greatly appreciated, but how they operate their business. One of the most important lessons I have learned during my time here at Massport, is that everything, every project is connected. In order to stick to your company’s mission, one must take into account how it might affect the community around you. Each of these groups has done, in my opinion, a wonderful job of allowing the Massachusetts community to be part of their success. The Krafts involvement with the Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea, and the multiple charities this Red Sox ownership is involved with are models for everyone.

PG: How can young professionals expand their networks and increase their impact in Boston?

AG: Get involved. I tell my students that in life, you are either observers or participants. If you have a passion, follow it. I am very involved at Salem State. I am actually the President of the Alumni Association, and want to offer my services to those students who are trying to figure who they are and what professional field they would like to work in.

AG: Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond, Eisenhower on Leadership by Alan Axelrod, and The Adams-Jefferson Letters by Lester Cappon.

AG: I love to cook, but history is my passion. I truly believe that we can learn from the past and I enjoy reading and learning about the events that have shaped our nation. When you read a good biography about a person you admire, you slowly come to realize that they are human too, that they have struggled but have succeeded. What I have learned is that luck might play a small part, but perseverance is the key to one’s success.

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For more information on the Boston’s Future Leaders Program, please contact Jody Kieval, director of member services.