Julio Mota Takes On Dual New Role In Salem Mayor's Office

SALEM, MA — A Salem State alumnus who has worked in the city clerk's office and with the Salem Housing Authority has been picked as the city's new Constituent Services Director and Latino Affairs Coordinator for the mayor's office.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said on Wednesday that Mota will assist residents in navigating city services, programs and departments, and will particularly focus on strengthening connections with Latino and Latina residents.

"My years spent in the Dominican Republic, my cross-cultural experiences, and my familiarity with Salem and our municipal operations will ensure that all members of our community will have a voice in the mayor's office," Mota said in a statement. "I hope all residents of Salem will see me
as their advocate here in City Hall and look forward to working with them, my colleagues with the city, and our partners throughout the community."

Mota has helped organize Salem's municipal elections, assisted residents with public housing and has supported the city's virtual records office operations.

Mota will be charged with developing and launching the city's first community engagement academy, completing the "Welcoming Cities" certification application process and working with the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and community partners to implement the recommendations from the Race Equity Task Force.

"I'm pleased to welcome Julio to our team," Driscoll said. "When we established the position of Latino Affairs Coordinator several years ago it was with the goal of becoming more intentional in our community engagement efforts for all residents of Salem.

"I am confident that, given his background and his understanding of our city, Julio will continue that record of service and success in this important, ongoing work."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)