(GARDNER)--Mount Wachusett Community College will honor one of its outstanding graduates at its 37^th commencement, Thurs., May 23.  Alumnus of the Year Jeffrey A. Bean (class of 1976) has a long history of community and public service.  "Jeff Bean served the City of Fitchburg and contributed greatly to the community through his efforts in education, economic revitalization and neighborhood and youth programs," said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino.  "He has gone on to serve at both FEMA and for U.S. Senator John F. Kerry.  We are very proud of him."

Currently Bean serves as State Director for U.S. Senator John F. Kerry—a post he has held since 1999.  Bean manages all Massachusetts operations for the senator who serves on the Foreign Relations; Intelligence; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science and Transportation and Small Business committees.  In addition to his Washington, D.C. office, Senator Kerry has offices in Boston, Worcester, Fall River and Springfield.  Since 1985, Kerry's office has successfully opened and closed well over 100,000 constituent cases.

Bean also served as Legislative Aide to State Senator Mary L. Padula and State Senator Gerard D'Amico.   As the Director of the Fuel Assistance Program at the Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc., Bean oversaw the provision of fuel assistance to residents in 48 North Central Massachusetts communities.  In addition, Bean has more than 12 years of experience on the Fitchburg City Council, School Committee and Planning Board.

During his five-year tenure as the Mayor of the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the city saw its bond rating improve, began the process of building new elementary schools and a new high school, underwent a dramatic revitalization of its downtown, reorganized the city's defunct Human Rights Commission, established the Fitchburg Youth Commission, created a network of Neighborhood Development Associations, Created the Fitchburg Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Coalition, expanded police personnel by implementing a comprehensive Community Policing Program and created the City's first drug and gang suppression teams and oversaw the planning of a new regional transportation center downtown and a roadway to connect the City to Route 2.

President Bill Clinton appointed Bean as Regional I Director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1997.  He provided key leadership, direction, coordination and implementation of all FEMA's programs within the Region as they related to preparedness for, response to and recovery from natural, terrorist and wartime civil emergencies.  He planned, directed, supervised and managed a regional staff of 65 professional, technical, administrative and clerical support personnel.