The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society has named Eric Rivera of Williamsburg as its Executive Director of Development, a new role for the animal shelter. He started in the new position on Aug. 3. “I’m excited to be here because I’m a huge animal lover,” said Rivera, who lives with two cats and a two-year-old rescue boxer. Rivera has spent the past 20 years as a restaurant manager and was most recently employed at Cochon on 2nd in Williamsburg. He has experience in planning and organizing events. “I’ve done a lot of events,” said Rivera. As Executive Director of Development, Rivera is taking on the shelter’s event organizing, donor relations, grant writing and fundraising initiatives. A big part of his job is managing activities at The Williams Center, GMHS’s newest wing which was completed earlier this year. Rivera, who was not looking to leave the restaurant industry, first became interested in GMHS when he discovered the existence of The Williams Center. “I couldn’t wrap my head aroun...