Laurel named Riverside mayor’s chief of staff

Elisa Laurel has been named Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson’s chief of staff.

Laurel, who most recently served as public information officer for the Western Riverside Council of Governments, replaces the retired Teresa Rosales, according to a statement on the city’s website.

An Inland Empire native and Riverside resident, Laurel has worked in economic development, communications, public relations, and marketing. She worked for San Bernardino County’s economic development agency, helping to create more than 3,000 jobs and securing more than $4.3 million in tax credits.

Laurel also worked at UC Riverside’s medical school, and was a development specialist for Riverside County’s economic development agency.

“Elisa Laurel brings a professional background that will play a role in facilitating my office’s programs and initiatives intended to propel Riverside forward,” Lock Dawson said in the statement.