SPRINGFIELD – A very important member of the Westfield community has found himself a new office in Springfield.
Mike Knapik was named the Director of the Western Mass. office for Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday afternoon. Gov. Baker and his representatives held a private meeting at the Springfield office with Knapik and then followed it up with a public press conference.
Governor Charlie Baker is introducing the new Director of the Western Massachusetts Office.
Being a part of the Mass. Legislature for 22 years and more recently the Executive Director of the Westfield State Foundation, Knapik was introduced after Gov. Baker’s opening remarks.
“He knows to be an advocator for local and regional issues,” said Baker.
Knapik responded to the statements made by Gov. Baker.
“I’m very honored, I’m very humbled by his remarks and his praise,” said Knapik. “I look forward to the opportunity to work for him and the Lieutenant Governor down here in Springfield and throughout Western Massachusetts.”
After Knapik concludes his position at the Westfield State Foundation on July 1, he will start at the Springfield office on July 5, with a starting salary of $105,000.
The work for Knapik will start right away as Gov. Baker has already addressed the issues that need to be worked on.
“There’s a legislative agenda that the governor wants to move forward over the following three and a half weeks and so I want to be sure that I work with his team in Boston.”
Knapik has had a long list of experience leading the surrounding communities of Western Mass.
Besides leading the Westfield State Foundation, Knapik was on Westfield’s school committee from 1986 to 1990 and also served as a state senator from 1995 to 2013.
Knapik’s strong experience in education has been a positive aspect in his career.
“I came to really appreciate the important role that education plays in the lives of our citizens,” said Knapik.
Gov. Baker and Knapik have worked with each other in the past. When Knapik served in the legislature, Gov. Baker was in Public Human Services in the state as well as Administration and Finances.
“We just touched over the years and have always considered him to be a class act,” said Baker.
As western Mass. is made up of several small towns and cities, Knapik has been able to serve towards a number of communities. Knapik has helped with cities like Holyoke and also rural and low-population towns like Tolland.
Knapik is determined to use the success in the many communities of western Mass. and translate that back to Gov. Baker.
“The more unified we can communicate a message and really help communicate that to Boston,” said Knapik. “I think the citizens will be well served.”
