Karen Charles Peterson appointed commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable

Karen Charles-Peterson has been appointed commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable by Governor Deval L. Patrick.

The longtime government administrator was tapped by Patrick last week to head the agency that oversees telecommunication regulations and policies for the Commonwealth. Charles-Peterson formerly served as chief of staff for the agency.

“I am pleased that the governor selected me to provide leadership for the agency. I look forward to implementing Governor Patrick’s vision and providing the residents of the state quality services that are in their best interest,” said Charles-Peterson.

“This is a huge honor. Serving the residents of the state humbles me. I promise to give the state my best efforts and provide clear, consistent direction,” she added

Charles-Peterson was former chief-of-staff for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and acting chief-of staff for the Department of Transportation and the MBTA.

A Dorchester resident, Charles-Peterson is a longtime civic activist. She is a member of the Ward 15 Democrat Committee. She has also served as a board member of the Advent School on Beacon Hill and for The Center for Women in Politics at UMass Boston.

She ran for state representative for the 5th Suffolk District in Dorchester in a special election earlier this year.

A recipient of the Wonder Woman award from the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, Charles-Peterson is the former president of the Conference of Minority Transportations Officials. She worked as a producer for the Emily Rooney Show on WGHB and was a member of the Boston Association of Black Journalists.

Charles-Peterson is a graduate of Suffolk University and attended Suffolk Law School. She is a member of Grace Church of All Nations in Dorchester and lives on Meeting House Hill.