Clarendon Group Announces New Leadership Team

Three partners to lead award-winning public affairs agency

Providence, RI, (July 15, 2008) -- Beginning this fall, the Providence-based public affairs agency Clarendon Group will be led by a new three-member partnership, the firm announced today. The trio will include current Clarendon Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Stacy Paterno, who becomes the Senior Partner of the firm, Clarendon Group Associate Director of Public Affairs, Arianne Corrente Lynch, who becomes Partner in the firm, and current Chief of Policy for the City of Providence, Garry Bliss, who becomes Managing Partner of Clarendon Group.

The changes will follow the departure of founder and president Christine Heenan, who will become Vice President of Government, Community and Public Affairs at Harvard University as of October 1, 2008.

"Since its founding in 2001, Clarendon Group has occupied a unique place in the market, and has benefited from strong relationships with great clients." Heenan said. "I have tremendous confidence in the team that will lead Clarendon going forward, and in their ability to add value to clients and advance their agendas in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.”

Commenting on Clarendon Group’s new addition, Heenan added, "We are pleased to welcome Garry Bliss to Clarendon Group. Garry’s work in the Congress, at Textron, and in state government, and most recently his work for Mayor Cicilline, builds on the blend of communications experience and policy depth that has always been a Clarendon hallmark. Stacy has been integral to Clarendon’s growth and evolution over the past seven years, and Arianne has established herself as a leader in government relations and advocacy circles.”

“I very much look forward to joining Clarendon Group," said Bliss. "Clarendon has a uniquely strong team of communications and public affairs professionals and I am excited about the opportunity to use my skills and experience to assist clients and create new opportunities for the firm." Bliss joins Clarendon Group at the end of the summer.

Stacy Paterno

Stacy Paterno, Senior Partner, has been with Clarendon Group since its inception in 2001. She works closely with clients on all aspects of health policy, and runs the firm’s federal relations practice. Stacy has represented clients in interacting with the leadership and members of the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and the Bush Administration, as well as with state and local elected officials.

Prior to joining Clarendon Group, Stacy worked in financial services in Boston, where she conducted mutual fund research and audit compliance analysis for one of State Street Bank & Trust’s largest domestic and international clients. She has also worked for the North American Family Institute, a Rhode Island-based human service agency, conducting family trainings and placing children in foster care.

Stacy also serves on the Board of Directors of Reach Out and Read Rhode Island, an initiative that promotes literacy as integral to health and well-being. She was recently appointed to the Board of the Bethany Home of Rhode Island. Stacy is a graduate of Providence College, where she earned a B.A. in Art History.

Garry Bliss

Garry Bliss has served as senior communications specialist at Textron. At Textron he wrote and edited award winning inter-division publications, corporate capabilities brochures, recruiting brochures, case studies, and CEO communications with the board.

Garry also has extensive public sector policy and legislative experience, now serving (until July 31) as chief of policy and legislative affairs for the City of Providence. He previously served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, Policy Director in the office of the RI General Treasurer Paul J. Tavares, and as the director of public relations at Moses Brown. He is a graduate of Connecticut College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Art History with distinction.

Arianne Corrente Lynch

Arianne Corrente Lynch, Partner, currently leads Clarendon’s state relations practice. With expertise in grassroots advocacy and government relations, she helps to recruit and manage grassroots coalitions directs legislative strategy for a range of clients and causes, and manages the firm’s campaigns practice.

Prior to joining the Clarendon team, Arianne served as the director of recruitment and clinical education for the Central Rhode Island Area Health Education Center and as grassroots advocacy coordinator for the American Cancer Society's Rhode Island office. Arianne was the community street team Leader for Rock the Vote in Rhode Island and Connecticut prior to and during the 2004 election season, and has also worked as the public education coordinator for a small consulting firm in northeast Connecticut. Arianne received her B.A. in Political Science with a Minor degree in History from the University of Connecticut.