Anthony J. Preston

• Serve as primary liaison between the President, senior leadership, Trustees, and external partners, ensuring strategic alignment and coordinated communication.
• Manage key institutional relationships with high-profile civic, corporate, and government leaders, cultivating pipeline partnerships that strengthen institutional governance, operations, and mission advancement.
• Lead executive-level stakeholder engagement on major capital projects, including approval and community alignment for $160M+ in projects, such construction of two new residential halls and a new lecture hall.
• Drive public reputation management and organizational messaging, safeguarding institutional credibility and trust with the public, executive boards and oversight bodies.
• Strengthen the college’s public image by serving as the primary liaison for community stakeholders, media, and corporate partners, addressing inquiries related to institutional properties and development projects.
• Oversee institutional master planning initiatives, including property acquisition and new construction, ensuring alignment with the college’s strategic goals, regulatory requirements, and regional development plans.
• Manage relationships with local, state, and federal officials, advocating for institutional priorities, including the approval and implementation of an innovative 90+ credit Bachelor’s Degree across Massachusetts.
• Support governance operations including Presidential meeting preparation, executive briefings, confidential Trustee communications, and long-range planning.

• Served as a trusted senior advisor to the President, providing strategic counsel on institutional priorities, policy matters, external relations, and trustee engagement.
• Represented the President at high-level meetings, events, and engagements, acting as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders.
• Developed polished Board presentations and briefing materials and deliver executive-level updates in meetings and committee sessions to support informed governance decisions and strategic alignment.
• Collaborated with senior administrators to develop and execute strategic initiatives aligned with institutional goals, ensuring cross-functional coordination and actionable outcomes.
• Managed special projects and oversaw administrative operations, facilitating executive decision-making, tracking institutional objectives, and ensuring effective communication across leadership teams.
• Strengthened institutional relationships by representing the college at events and conferences, fostering partnerships, and navigating crisis management and public relations challenges.
• Led government and external affairs efforts, advocating for the college’s priorities with local, state, and federal officials, and engaging community partners and stakeholders to advance institutional objectives.

• Managed strategic initiatives across financial services, administration, student experience, and marketing, aligning efforts with institutional priorities.

• Served as a trusted advisor to the Executive Vice President, CFO, and COO, providing counsel on campus-wide initiatives, overseeing special projects, and ensuring alignment with institutional advancement goals.

• Coordinated preparation for Board and committee engagements, developing briefing materials and facilitating leadership presentations to ensure clear communication and governance alignment on strategic initiatives.

• Facilitated cross-functional collaboration among Vice Presidents, driving process improvements, operational efficiencies, and data-informed strategic decision-making.

• Directed major projects, including the co-management of the public approval process for two new residential halls, adding 540+ beds to the college’s campus.

• Supported the Vice President of Student Affairs, assisting in initiative prioritization, communication strategies, and maintaining a strong campus presence to address community needs of students, parents, and neighbors.

• Acted as the institution’s government liaison, engaging with elected officials and agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to align institutional priorities with policy and funding opportunities.

• Led the planning and execution of commencement, ensuring a seamless experience for students, families, and faculty.

• Directed all internal and external communications for the Department and its Soldiers’ Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea, including managing media inquiries from national and global outlets.
• Led legislative and communications strategy for two major capital redevelopment projects: the $400M Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and the $200M Chelsea Soldiers’ Home.
• Served as senior advisor to Cabinet-level leadership, coordinating communications with oversight boards and legislative governance committees.
• Constructed reports for the State Legislature and Governor’s Office on key veterans’ affairs issues, including COVID-19 response at the Soldiers’ Homes and a tuition remission cost analysis for veterans.
• Managed the development of the department’s $170M annual budget, coordinating with the Governor’s Office and State Legislature.
• Drafted legislative testimony for the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Veterans’ Services, preparing messaging for public addresses, media appearances, and policy discussions.

• Played a key leadership role in the political operations of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
• Served as the chief point of contact for the Party’s 80-member governing body, facilitating communication, supporting leadership decision-making, and ensuring alignment on organizational priorities.
• Led candidate recruitment and support for 175+ campaigns across Massachusetts, helping allocate a historic $700K in direct candidate support during the 2018 gubernatorial cycle.
• Organized and executed the Massachusetts Republican State Convention, bringing together 2,500 delegates and guests to nominate statewide candidates.
• Developed and maintained relationships with political stakeholders, public and private organizations, and grassroots activists to strengthen the Baker-Polito political network.
• Served as a public speaker at statewide, local, and college events, promoting political engagement and Party resources.

• Led the candidate vetting process for 50+ individuals considering public office, evaluating political landscapes and campaign viability.
• Built and managed strong relationships with the Party’s 80 governing members, enabling unified planning, informed decision-making, and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Worked with the Massachusetts State Republican Caucus and political consultants to analyze past campaign data and strategize for future elections.
• Managed and mentored the Party’s internship program, supporting fundraising and political

• Supervised seven regional field offices across Massachusetts, ensuring operational efficiency and goal attainment.
• Led a team of 12 Field Directors, providing mentorship and hands-on support to maximize voter outreach efforts.
• Coordinated daily phone banks and neighborhood canvassing efforts, driving grassroots engagement for various candidates.
• Maintained 24/7 availability to support campaign staff, troubleshoot challenges, and provide strategic guidance.