Andrew Natsios Interview: HCAT

by Bill Tobin 11/23/11

Mary Greendale interviews Andrew Natsios "on line" at HCAT.

A first for HCAT, an interview live via a two-way internet device...

There is a first time for everything, and HCAT had a first on November 22nd when Mary Greendale interviewed the well-known former Holliston resident, Andrew Natsios. Mary was in Holliston and Andrew was in his office in Washington, but they will be seen together on the HCAT production, Just Thinking.

They each sat in front of a small piece of rented equipment that had a camera, microphone and video screen. They could hear and see each other clearly via a two-way internet device that provided instant coordinated professional audio and video with clarity not available to the common folk.

Andrew Natsios was a young native Hollistonian and recent graduate of Georgetown University when he ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1972. He did not make it at that time and tried again in 1974. He was elected this time and served in that position until 1987. He left politics and for two years he was the executive director of the Northeast Public Power Association in Milford.

Back in government work, he was the director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at USAID from 1989-91 and assistant administrator for the Bureau for Food and Humanitarian Assistance 1991-93. For the next five years Andrew was president of World Vision U.S. In 1999 he became the secretary for administration and finance for Massachusetts and was chairman and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

In 2001 he took over the responsibility for managing the controversial Big Dig project. Listen to the interview on HCAT to find out how and why he got that job. In May 2001 he became the administrator of the USAID and resigned in January 2006 and was appointed Special Envoy for Darfur in 2006 by President Bush. Since January 2006 he has been on the faculty of the Walsh School of Foreign Service at his alma mater, Georgetown University.

He retired as a lieutenant colonel after serving 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

That is the fascinating biography of Andrew Natsios for the past 40 years.

 Above, Mary is interviewing on line, talking to the device and watching Andy respond.

 HCAT's Dennis Bergeron is at the controls.

Now you can watch and listen to the interview with Mary Greendale of Just Thinking on HCAT where Andrew openly discusses his experiences in the Big Dig, the scandals, problems, firings, the greenway and more. He discusses his views on the Iraq war, G.W. Bush, the civil war in Africa, Desert Storm and his active duty.

It is a one of kind candid interview with Andrew, Holliston High class of 1967, and Mary Greendale, a long time friend of Andrew.

Don't miss it on HCAT Channel 8 for COMCAST, Channel 32 for Verizon.

Thursday, November 24 at 6:00 PM

Friday November 25 at 7:00 PM

Saturday November 26 at 2:00 PM

It will also be available on on-demand Streaming: www.hcattv.org

Posted in Neighborhood, News, Arts.

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