New London — Mayor Michael Passero has hired longtime former city employee Gail McKissick as his administrative assistant.

With a career that started in 1978, McKissick worked as an administrative assistant under three different city managers – Richard Brown, Martin Berliner and Denise Rose.

When the city changed its form of government and Daryl Justin Finizio was elected as mayor in 2011, McKissick became the administrative assistant to the City Council. Passero was council president at the time. She retired in 2013.

Passero said McKissick came back from retirement and has been an invaluable resource during his transition into office. It remains unclear if McKissick will remain at the position permanently.

- Greg Smith