Paul Salera was elected president/CEO of Westbay Community Action, Inc. in a unanimous vote by its Board of Directors on May 22 during its regularly scheduled meeting.

Salera has been serving as interim president/CEO since February.

“Jeanne has been a mentor to me. She knew that my goals and aspirations were to be president and CEO of a nonprofit, specifically of Westbay. She assisted me by teaching me her knowledge to put me in a position to reach my goal,” Salera said of Jeanne Gattegno who retired on May 30.

Salera joined Westbay Community Action in December 2003. Previous to his promotion, he was the director of Elder and Family Services at Westbay Community Action.

Salera graduated in 1995 from Curry College, in Milton, Mass., with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minors in Communications and Criminal Justice. He went on to obtain his Master’s degree in Counseling at Rhode Island College in 1997.

He has more than 18 years experience in management within Social Services. In addition, he sits on many committees and boards throughout the state to help advocate and promote services to Rhode Island’s low-income populations.

Salera recently became a certified peer reviewer for the Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action.

He has worked with various organizations such as Discovery House, Horace Mann Educational Associates and Blackstone Valley RIArc throughout his 18 years of social service.

He grew up in East Providence, and currently resides in Massachusetts with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.