One of the original principals in the Dewey Square Group's Boston practice, Joe Ricca specializes in state and local government relations and the development and execution of grassroots strategies. With more than 17 years' experience as a state and local official, Joe has earned a nationwide reputation as a top-flight administrator with proven political skills. He presently oversees Dewey Square Group's Massachusetts lobbying practice.

From 1977 to 1994, Joe held a number of positions in the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, including chief of staff from 1987 to 1994. During the Dukakis for President Campaign in 1988, Joe held several senior staff positions in Iowa, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Joe served as a Senior Staff adviser in Iowa and Wisconsin for Vice President Al Gore's presidential bid in 2000 and as a Senior Staff adviser in Iowa and Michigan for Senator John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004.

Prior to joining the Dewey Square Group in 1995, Joe specialized in municipal government siting issues for private sector clients at his firm, Ricca & Associates. He served on the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen from 1977 to 1987, including three years as chairman, was a member of the Quinsigamond Community College Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1994 and was a member of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee from 1984 to 1994.

Joe holds a bachelor's degree in state and local government from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master's degree in business administration from Anna Maria College.