I moved to New York in late 2010 to take a communications job with a Democratic state senator in Manhattan, and lost the job in early 2011 when the Democrats lost their majority in the state legislature (and the funding that accompanied that majority). Since that time, I've been trying to claw my way back in to the Democratic political scene of Greater NYC, and I am now concentrating on finding any position that will provide me with enough money to pay my rent and allow me to continue living in Brooklyn.

Over the course of the past decade, I have worked as an editorial assistant, a paralegal, a political field organizer, a presidential campaign intern, a manager of municipal government campaigns, a communications director & constituent liaison in a mayor's office - and a barista at a Starbucks (just to throw off the resume bell curve).

The common thread in all of these experiences - aside from the coffee shop stint - has been my writing and communications work. My greatest desire is to find a job that would allow me to continue along those lines, whether through writing, editing, proofreading, etc...but I am open to anything that would help me pay the bills.

The more detailed rundown of my work history: as the Mayor’s Communications Director, I drafted all of her public remarks, drafted her correspondence to constituents and with other civic leaders, coordinated her media appearances, drafted all press releases, and helped her construct a coherent and consistent message. My duties as her Constituent Director focused upon handling walk-ins and calls from residents and those doing business in Cambridge who were in need of triage and referral to other city departments or entities. I also assisted with drafting city council orders and mayoral proclamations, with the planning and executing of various mayoral events, and with any number of daily office tasks as they arose.

Prior to joining the Mayor’s Office, I worked as a paralegal for a law firm in Boston that focused upon civil rights litigation, where I was responsible for screening potential clients for three attorneys. Preceding that period, I interned in Senator John Kerry's Boston presidential campaign headquarters, where I assisted with volunteer recruitment and coordination, and I was one of the first points of contact for people contacting the local campaign office. Following the 2004 Democratic Convention, I left the campaign to join ACT New Hampshire, working as a regional field organizer in the months leading up to the general election.

Immediately following the end of the Mayor's term, I managed her state senate campaign, in which I was also defacto Communications Director. I then moved to New York and took the job with a state senator, where I served as his liaison to the media, prepped him for interviews, and drafted statements for public release. Following my lay-off from that job, I briefly took a job with a member of the NYS Assembly, before being lured back to Massachusetts to manage the successful re-election campaign for the former mayor of Cambridge.

That election took place in November, and I have been back in the hunt in New York since that time. I am open to working in pretty much anywhere in greater NYC, so long as it is accessible by the MTA. I am open to any sort of work, whether it is general administrative, political, or back at the Starbucks, so long as it helps me keep my head above water. Anyone looking for further information, writing samples, or references, please feel free to contact me - and thanks for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Neal Alpert
629 Bay Ridge Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11209
508.380.8830
nalp99@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/nealalpert

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QUALIFICATIONS

My legal and political experiences have honed my excellent communication and people skills, and
the high degree of responsibility placed upon me by my superiors demonstrates their confidence in
my capabilities. My ability to thrive in high pressure, fast paced situations has been invaluable, as
have my writing and editing skills.

EMPLOYMENT

Denise Simmons For City Council, Cambridge, MA
Campaign Manager August 2011 – November 2011
Managed City Council re-election campaign for former Mayor of Cambridge. Drafted all public
remarks and press releases, oversaw coordination of field staff, helped develop overall campaign
message and strategy. Prepped the candidate on all local issues, local politicians, and for debate
appearances. Staffed the candidate at all meetings and public events.

NYS Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Manhattan, NY
Legislative Director May 2011 – August 2011
Acted as liaison with other legislative offices and interest groups in order to further the
assemblymember’s legislative agenda. Reviewed and made recommendations regarding bills the
assemblymember’s colleagues asked her to co-sponsor. Drafted and dispersed press releases and
email blasts to announce bill movement and other news items. Drafted speaking points and public
testimony for the assemblymember. Staffed and represented the assemblymember at functions
throughout the city. Assisted with constituent caseload.

NYS Senator Thomas K. Duane, Manhattan, NY
Communications Coordinator November 2010 – January 2011
Served as primary contact for all media requests coming into the office of a New York State
senator; cultivated relationships with journalists, disseminated information to media outlets, and
worked to develop positive press coverage. Prepped senator for interviews, accompanied him to
speaking engagements, and followed up with the media following these engagements. Responsible
for developing ideas for the senator’s public access program, and for helping craft and distribute his
community newsletters, press releases, and media advisories.

Denise Simmons For State Senate, Cambridge, MA
Campaign Manager January 2010 – April 2010
Managed State Senate campaign for former Cambridge Mayor in a special election; Drafted all
public remarks and press releases, oversaw hiring and coordination of field staff, helped develop
overall campaign message and strategy. Prepped candidate on all local issues, local politicians,
and for debate appearances; tasked with building viable campaign operation in a compressed
election cycle.

Office of the Mayor, Cambridge, MA
Director of Constituent Services and Communications March 2008 – January 2010
Acted as first point of contact between Cambridge residents and the Mayor. Identified and
addressed the needs of city residents who called or visited the Mayor's Office, connecting them
with the appropriate departments or individuals who may be able to assist them. Provided limited
case management to individuals as determined to be in need of this service. Drafted speaking
points and speeches for the Mayor. Drafted correspondence and op-ed pieces for the Mayor.
Provided general support to Mayor's staff, helped plan and executed various city-wide events,
assisted in drafting city council orders and proclamations.

Law Offices Of Howard Friedman, Boston, MA
Paralegal March 2005 – July 2007
Acted as liaison between potential clients and attorneys; fielded phone calls from potential clients,
conducted intakes, and summarized cases for attorneys; rejected clients that were inappropriate for
the firm and referred to other counsel, when possible; drafted, edited, and mailed all
correspondence; assisted attorneys with various research projects as needed; general office duties.

America Coming Together, Manchester/Conway, NH
Canvasser/Field Organizer August – November 2004
Canvassed Manchester area, identifying and conversing with voters; identified which issues
mattered to them, and explained how their vote would affect those issues; Quickly promoted to
Regional Field Organizer in the North Country, operating independent office, recruiting and training
volunteers, focusing efforts on identifying/persuading voters; Helped run our Get Out The Vote
Program.

John Kerry For President, Boston, MA
Intern August 2003 – August 2004
Coordinated volunteers, ran phone banks, helped organize and execute visibilities in MA and NH;
answered phones, wrote, edited, and proofread email releases to volunteers; answered general MA
email inquiries; worked as field staffer for Get Out The Vote efforts in NH primaries.

Nasty Little Man PR, New York City, NY
Intern January 2002-June 2002
Answered phone and email queries, directed media requests to appropriate publicist; sent and
sorted mail, helped maintain website, performed general office duties.

Prostaff, Framingham, MA
Temp Worker October 2000 – December 2001
Worked for several different companies processing and
answering phones, and performing other general office tasks.

Editorial Assistant, Amherst-Framingham MA
Editor and Researcher January 2000 – October 2003
Assisted Richard Marano in writing Vote Your Conscience: The Last Campaign of George
McGovern (Praeger 2003); Edited rough drafts, cleaned up language, summarized research
materials for Marano.

Freelance Writer, Various Locations
Wrote for various publications, 1999-Present
Researched, interviewed, wrote, and edited music articles for publications such as the Boston
Phoenix, Harp, Mojo, Gadfly, and Amplifier Magazine.

EDUCATION

Graduated May 2000 from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
B.A. in Journalism, Minor in History

HONORS

Dean’s List 8 Semesters
Golden Key National Honor Society
Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society

References Available Upon Request