UPDATED 10/8/25 1:11PM: To include clarification from the governor’s office on the staff changes.

Ashes to Ashes, west to east. (via LinkedIn)

The name of a new staffer for Governor Maura Healey will sound familiar to some in the Lower Valley. Tuesday brought news that the governor’s new legislative director would be Thomas Ashe. No, not that Tom Ashe, the one time councilor and now Springfield Parks head. Rather, it is his like named son, Thomas Ashe.

The younger Ashe’s transition to Healey’s office comes after six years in various roles at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). The most recent roles at EOPSS included handling legislative affairs for that office and its child agency, the Department of Correction. Ashe certainly cut his teeth on campaigns, including those of his father. However, he has been working in state government consistently since earning his master’s degree from Seton Hall in 2017.

The State House News Service first reported Ashe’s new job.

There are several political Ashe families in the greater Springfield area. The relevant Ashes in this case have most notably played roles in Springfield city politics.

The elder Tom Ashe’s electoral career dates to the early aughts when he served on the School Committee. He later served on the City Council for roughly eight years before Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno appointed him chief of staff. He became executive director of the Parks, Recreation & Buildings Department upon the retirement of Patrick Sullivan in 2024.

Ashe, the councilor turned city bureaucrat, ran for other things along the way including Hampden Sheriff. The son helped his father’s campaign and interned for the US Senate campaigns of Elizabeth Warren and Stephen Lynch. According to the younger Ashe’s LinkedIn page, he also interned at the US Agency for International Development.

After leaving Seton Hall, Ashe went to work for West Springfield State Rep Michael Finn. During Ashe’s time in the rep’s office, Finn served in the leadership of the Financial Services and Global Warming & Climate Change committees.

Finn told WMP&I that it was no surprise Ashe would be taking a gig in Healey’s office. He pointed to his former aide’s understanding of politics and policy in particular.

“Tom being promoted to such ana important role in the administration is no surprise to those who have worked with him in the past,” Finn said. “This new position is a perfect match for his finely tuned skill set. The governor should be applauded for choosing such a fine candidate for such an important position on an already exceptional team.”

Moving day, or rather week, at EOPPS. Reidy departed last week. (via mass.gov)

Ashe’s move comes during a time of some transition in the Healey administration. In addition to gearing up for her reelection, several of the governor’s secretaries and staff have moved on. Indeed, Ashe’s boss at EOPSS, Terrence Reidy, retired only a week ago. Healey appointed Reidy’s deputy, Susan Terrey, to serve as interim Public Safety and Security Secretary.

The governor’s legislative affairs office has seen changeover, too. That part of Healey’s office had been led by Alicia Rebello-Pradas as deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs. A spokesperson for the governor’s office said Rebello-Pradas moved over to EOPSS. Associate Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs Patrick Brown and Legislative Liaison Katherine McGee remain part of the legislative affairs.

A spokesperson for the governor confirmed Ashe’s title as Legislative Director. There are no other imminent changes to the legislative affairs staff.