Ellis Mills Public Affairs, a New England government relations and strategic communications firm, announced that public relations expert Steve Patterson will work with the firm for the upcoming Vermont legislative session.
Patterson, a longtime economic development official in Vermont, will work with the firm on government relations and communications matters.
“I am ready to get back in the game, and Ellis Mills offers a perfect opportunity to do so,” said Patterson, who retired as Executive Director of the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) a year ago. “I have spent a lot of time working in, around and with state government as well as in the private sector, so I think I bring a lot to the firm’s advocacy power.”
Kevin Ellis, co-founder of Ellis Mills and a veteran of Vermont’s political landscape, said Patterson’s deep experience is a valuable asset to the firm.
“As our company grows, Steve represents the logical extension of our ‘partner level’ approach to client service," Ellis said. "Steve is a pro and we’re very happy to have him.”
In his NVDA position, Patterson managed a staff of ten that worked on planning and economic development issues in the three counties of Caledonia, Essex and Orleans.
Prior to his work at NVDA, Patterson served for several years as Deputy Secretary and then as Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development under former Governor Howard Dean.
Patterson also worked in marketing with Vermont Castings and International Coins and Currency. He worked for several years as a reporter for the Vermont Press Bureau, covering the State House and other major state stories. His articles have appeared in several Vermont newspapers, The Boston Globe and Vermont Life Magazine.
He has also worked on several Vermont political campaigns, and was on the presidential campaign staff of the late Senator Cranston of California.
He attended elementary school in Middlesex and is a graduate of Montpelier High School. He also attended Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was born in Montpelier, Vermont and now lives in Middlesex with his wife Sally.
Ellis Mills Public Affairs is a next generation public affairs firm with offices in Montpelier and Boston. Their practice includes government affairs and strategic communications for corporations, non-profits and associations.