by Frank Schroth

Jack Murray, a resident of Milton, was appointed to be Commissioner of the DCR by Rick Sullivan, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs yesterday. He follows in the footsteps of Ed Lambert who is leaving the Patrick Administration to be the Vice Chancellor of Government Relations and Public Affairs at UMass.

Governor Patrick said, “Jack has proven himself a strong leader and tireless advocate for the people who use our parks and other public facilities, and I am thrilled to have him lead this important department. Commissioner Lambert did a tremendous job over the past two years working to restore and better protect our resources for Massachusetts residents and tourists. I thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck in his new role.”

Murray has extensive experience in transportation and environmental management in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Patrick Administration, he worked for the United States Public Health Service and e Hands On Network to coordinate recovery and relief activities in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Biloxi following Hurricane Katrina. Murray is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the University of Massachusetts Boston.

He is also one of several Milton residents who are serving or have served in government. Others include U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, Chief Justice Roderick Ireland, Jeff Mullan, past Secretary of Transportation, State Senator Brian A. Joyce, and, of course, Governor Patrick.