The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston today announced the appointment of Joel Werkema as vice president and public information officer, following a nationwide search. Werkema’s predecessor, Thomas Lavelle, retired from the Boston Fed earlier this month after 25 years of distinguished service.

Werkema, who has served as interim PIO since May 2019, will oversee a broad communications group which develops, coordinates, and disseminates information about the Bank and its work to internal and external audiences.

“Joel brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to this role, and he has shown his commitment to serving the public interest during his long tenure here,” said Eric Rosengren, the Boston Fed’s president and chief executive officer.

Werkema joined the Bank in 1991. He gained experience in Research, Public and Community Affairs, and Human Resources, among other departments, before taking on a communications role in 2004. In 2006 he became an assistant vice president in Corporate Communications, and was then promoted to vice president and deputy public information officer in 2017.

Werkema has an MBA from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from Gordon College.

The Boston Federal Reserve Bank serves the First Federal Reserve District, which includes all of New England except Fairfield County, Conn. Within the district, the Bank monitors local economic conditions to aid in the formulation of monetary policy; engages in outreach to promote economic growth, community revitalization, and economic and financial education; supervises banks and bank holding companies; and provides financial services to facilitate banking operations. Read more about the Boston Fed here.