“Queen Elizabeth” to Wed PR Prince George Regan
Legendary Boston PR titan George K. Regan, Jr., Founder & CEO of Regan Communications Group, celebrated his engagement to Elizabeth Akeley during a large party at Willowbend Country Club, following a romantic and somewhat comical adventure on Nantucket. In true fashion, Regan made sure nearly everyone in Boston knew he was planning to get engaged, and the only person who seemed unaware was his bride-to-be, the stunning Elizabeth.
Regan leaned into his PR genius, telling her they were traveling via helicopter to a remote Nantucket lighthouse for a photo shoot with two Boston power players, famed Police Commissioners Bill Bratton and William Gross. It didn’t faze Regan that Elizabeth hates helicopters, and by the time they landed, she was done with the adventure. But it had only just begun. The group hopped into a waiting jeep, Elizabeth riding in the back because of the lack of seats, mostly due to Gross needing ample room. She was still seething and complaining about the helicopter ride, but that was a smooth glide compared to what was awaiting her.
A 7-mile ride, punctuated by jarring bumps, wind whipping up sand and her beautiful dress proved to be perfect scene-setter. By this time, Elizabeth was thinking only of her own survival and getting out of this harrowing predicament. What happened next was cute and magical. Already sitting there on the beach was her beloved shitzu, Levi Jean. Elizabeth immediately questioned the presence of her pup at this remote photo shoot, only to be shocked when Levi Jean approached her with a ring tied to her collar, extending it just as Regan proposed. The smitten Elizabeth quickly replied, “YES!”.
Following a few photos under beautiful skies, it was back in the helicopter for the newly engaged couple and their friends, which also included Bratton’s wife, noted criminal defense attorney and CBS TV personality Rikki Klieman. The next shock moment came quickly for Elizabeth as the happy couple strode into Willowbend, with 200 friends ready to greet them at a celebration hosted by Willowbend developer David Southworth. True to form, the celebration featured of all Regan’s favorite cuisine choices – hot dogs, meatloaf, cheeseburgers, French fries and mashed potatoes.
It was the beautiful Elizabeth Akeley who really captured the attention of the powerful and connected crowd of well-wishers. Nicknamed “Queen Elizabeth” by William Gross, who adores her, this 40-year-old knockout is a former nursing school student from Bath, Maine, who now flies for Jet Blue. Naturally, her romance with her future husband began in the beautiful blue skies. They met during the first week of the pandemic, as Regan was traveling to Palm Beach on client business. Fully engaged in his typical in-flight routine of manically pressing the call buttons, a vision of loveliness approached and asked, “Mr. Regan, are you having a heart attack?”. When Elizabeth returned to check on him 45 minutes later, she found he still couldn’t figure out how to work his TV screen. The pair laughed, talked at length, and the rest is history.
At the surprise engagement bash, Blues Legend James Montgomery provided the music with special guest former State Senator Scott Brown on guitar. WBZ Radio’s Dan Rea served as Master of Ceremonies. Among the other guests were Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, UMass President Marty Meehan, Suffolk CEO John Fish, former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn and Michael Flaherty, restaurateurs Steve DiFillippo, Roger Berkowitz, Anthony Athanas, and Jack Huang, Cape and Islands DA Michael O’Keefe, Mashpee Police Chief Scott Carline, former Boston Celtic Walter McCarty, model Ashley Bernon, Jay Cashman and his socialite wife, Christy Cashman, longtime Congressman Bill Delahunt, famed AG Frank Bellotti, Legal Eagles Bob Popeo and Drew Meyer, CBS Boston President Mark Lund, former Mass Senate President Therese Murray, 99 Restaurants big wig Jim Kiley, top lobbyist Jack Brennan, Earl Enterprises chief Amy Sadowksi, Barney Murphy of the Barnstable County Sheriff ’s Office, Boston Herald Editor Joe Dwinell, Boston Magazine Editor Chris Vogel, Newsmax Chief Ken Chandler, Gov. Baker’s top aides Mike Vallarelli, John Cook and John Allen, Judge Brian Merrick, Mashpee Town Manager Rodney Collins, WBZ Radio’s Mike Macklin, and several Jet Blue flight attendants, among others.