Secretary Gorbea hires Johnathan Berard as Deputy Director of Communications and Strategy

January 28, 2022 2:36 pm

Ben Brown,

Gorbea For Dan — Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea has been named as one of the defendants in a lawsuit challenging the state’s vote-by-mail requirements

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced this Friday morning that Johnathan Berard will serve as Deputy Director of Communications and Strategy. Berard will be responsible for all media relations in the Secretary of State’s Office and will help initialize the Office Policy Initiatives.

Berard comes from Rhode Island Clean Water Action, where he served as State Director for six years. Before that, Berard was Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Blue Water Baltimore and spent time at Brown University and the Brookings Institution. He also served as a member of Rhode Island’s Voter Access Coalition.

“I have worked with Secretary Gorbea over the past several years in her efforts to expand ballot access and make registering to vote easier for the residents of our state,” said Berard. “It was an honor to help with the administration of a series of successful, safe, and secure elections during a global pandemic. I am thrilled to be joining Secretary Gorbea and her team of dedicated public servants and I look forward to doing my part to serve the people of Rhode Island.”

“Throughout his career Johnathan has shown dedication to Rhode Island’s communities through his efforts at Clean Water Action and as part of the Voter Access Coalition,” Secretary Gorbea said. “I’m excited to have someone join the team who shares my commitment to improving civic engagement and making government work for people.”

Berard is succeeding Nick Domings, who is being promoted to a new position in the coming weeks.

“For the past three years, Nick has done a fantastic job of demonstrating how government can communicate clearly and effectively,” said Secretary Gorbea. “It’s bittersweet to see him moving on to a new chapter, but we are all grateful for his work. I know he will continue to serve Rhode Islanders well in his new role.”

“Secretary Gorbea and her incredible team are truly committed to delivering a government that works for all Rhode Islanders,” said Domings. “Being part of that effort has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The knowledge and work ethic I’ve gained from the Secretary and her team will be invaluable as I move on to this next chapter.”