Arthur Bernard

Arthur Bernard

Arthur Bernard is Gov. Deval Patrick’s new chief of staff, the Patrick administration announced last Thursday. Bernard replaces Doug Rubin, who stepped down to focus on Patrick’s 2010 gubernatorial re-election campaign.

Bernard joined the administration in June 2008, serving as a senior advisor working with Patrick’s Cabinet primarily on policy and management.

“Arthur has become one of my closest and most trusted advisors since joining the team last year,” Patrick said in a statement. “His experience, judgment and level-headedness have been enormous assets to me already and make him perfectly suited to help lead our ambitious agenda.”

Before joining Patrick’s staff, Bernard served as vice chancellor for government relations and public affairs for the University of Massachusetts. He focused on urban outreach, public policy, communications, and government and community relations at UMass-Boston — specifically, he acted as the university’s primary liaison with city, state and federal governments, various external constituencies, and community and regulatory organizations.

Bernard served as chief of staff to ex-Senate President Robert E. Travaglini for four years. In that role, he managed operations and functions of the state Senate and served as the primary contact for state senators, the House of Representatives, the Governor’s Office and external organizations with business before the Senate.

While working for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority from 1993 to 1996, Bernard developed the first women’s business enterprise program. Among other awards and honors, he has received the Pride in Performance Award from the state Executive Office of Transportation and Construction, the YMCA Black Achiever Award, and the Suffolk University Alumni Career Achievement Award.

Bernard lives in Duxbury, and holds degrees from both Boston College Law School and Suffolk University.