Kathleen Patrón, Chief of Staff
Kathleen is a Midwest native who is now proud to call Massachusetts home with her husband Ricardo, son Rafael “Rafa”, and Boston Terrier Maurico “Mau”. Kathleen brings 13 years of experience as an organizer, strategist, and coalition builder to our office. Before joining our team, Kathleen served as the executive director of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) where she led campaigns for criminal justice and police accountability reform, affordable and quality housing for all, accessible health care, and behavioral health investments. Kathleen also formally worked as an organizer with GBIO’s sister organization Common Ground in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her family, working out, and surfing.
Kathleen (pronouns she/her/hers) can be reached at Kathleen.Patron@masenate.gov
Meg Ribera, Legislative Director and General Counsel
Meg is a graduate of Simmons College’s School of Social Work and the University of Washington School of Law. As both an attorney and clinical social worker, Meg has spent her career serving vulnerable children and their families in a variety of capacities. Meg comes to the team with experience in and a passion for equitable access to education, health care, and housing. Meg is a Massachusetts native who spent much of her childhood visiting family in Chatham. She enjoys spending her time outside of work with her husband, two children, and their rescue dog.
Meg (pronouns she/her/hers) can be reached at Meg.Ribera@masenate.gov
Michael Holcomb, District Director
Michael was born and raised in Falmouth and graduated from Falmouth High School and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also obtained a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law where he was a policy research fellow at the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. Prior to joining our office, Michael worked for the Town of Falmouth Beach Department. While his youth was spent enjoying the beaches of Buzzard’s Bay, Michael has now converted to being a denizen of Great Island’s shores in Wellfleet.
Michael (pronouns he/him/his) can be reached at 508-237-7001 or Michael.Holcomb@masenate.gov
Colin Hennessy, Research Analyst
Colin is a graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University, where he completed a double major in political science and philosophy. Colin is also a field hockey player, having played for both the U.S. Men’s National Team Outdoor and the U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team. His most recent research has centered on increasing deliberation in democracy and ideological position formation on polarizing issues such as nanotechnology. Colin comes to the team after working as interim legislative director for State Senator Jamie Eldridge, where he focused on matters pertaining to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. In his free time, he enjoys running, gardening, and hiking.
Colin (pronouns he/him/his) can be reached at Colin.Hennessy@masenate.gov
Bob Keary, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Bob has been a Provincetown-based writer since 2005 when he earned his MFA at Boston University. Ten years before that, he embarked on a 30-year career as a service industry professional. In 2025, he thought it would be meaningful and fun to apply those service skills to a greater mission on behalf of the Commonwealth. In his role as a community leader and organizer, Bob has been the host of the morning talk show “Wake Up in Provincetown” since 2020. For fun, he enjoys riding his bike on the Cape Cod National Seashore bike trail, singing, dancing, cooking, and awards-show prognosticating.
Bob (pronouns he/him/his) can be reached at Robert.Keary@masenate.gov
Dan Gessen, Policy Fellow
Dan was born and raised in Falmouth and has been involved in advocacy on issues critical to Cape Cod since high school. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Policy and a Master's in Business Analytics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dan joins our office after recently returning home from an overseas deployment, leading a platoon in Iraq as an infantry officer in the Massachusetts National Guard.
Dan (pronouns he/him/his) can be reached at Dan.Gessen@masenate.gov