From Ellen Ishkanian, Fuller’s communications director:

   Mayor-Elect Ruthanne Fuller today announced that Newton resident Jonathan L. Yeo is joining her senior staff as Chief Operating Officer.

   In addition, Linda Plazonja is joining the senior staff of the new administration as Citizen Assistance Officer.

   Mayor-Elect Fuller will be sworn into office officially in a City Hall ceremony on Jan. 1.

   “Jonathan brings with him 30 years of management experience working at the MWRA and DCR, as well as experience working on elected and appointed boards and committees in our city,” said Mayor-Elect Fuller.

   “And Linda’s background as a licensed social worker will be an asset as she works to help connect residents with the services and assistance they need,” she said.

   “I am excited to announce these final two members of my senior staff. We are looking forward to Monday when we will be getting to work officially for the City of Newton,” she said.    

   For the past 12 years Yeo has managed the state Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Division of Water Supply Protection, overseeing a staff of more than 165 employees in seven statewide locations with 100,000 acres of land and a budget in excess of $25 million. Prior to this position, Yeo was a senior manager at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Yeo served on the Newton School Committee for eight years from 2005 to 2013, leading school building improvement planning and contract negotiations.  He is a current member of the city’s Planning and Development Board, and is chair of the city’s Community Preservation Committee. His experience as a member of the senior leadership team at a large state organization has given Yeo expertise in planning, water and sewer infrastructure, facility management, contract negotiations, and communications. A graduate of Wesleyan University, he earned a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government with a concentration in Environmental Policy.

   Yeo and his wife Gail, who have two adult sons, live in a Newtonville two-family with his parents. Yeo will officially start in his new position the week of January 15th to allow for a transition period in his state management position.

   Plazonja, a resident of Brookline, comes to the Citizen Assistance Officer position with extensive related work and educational experience. She was the Executive Director of the MA 9/11 Fund and chief executive officer and division president at the National Kidney Foundation