Haverhill state Rep. Andy Vargas testifies before his Beacon Hill colleagues in 2019. Photo by Sam Doran | State House News Service

Haverhill state Rep. Andy Vargas, a prominent voice in housing policy debates in the Massachusetts legislature, has joined Lawrence-based Bell Tower Commercial Real Estate Group.

Vargas will be a sales agent at the firm, the company announced in a press release Wednesday. Prior to Bell Tower, he was head of marketing at Entrepreneurship for All, a nonprofit accelerator and advisor for small businesses in many of Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities and similar working-class communities elsewhere in America.

Bell Tower is active in the Merrimack Valley serving commercial property owners, business owners and investors with commercial brokerage, property management, project management and consulting.

“I have known Andy for years and am thrilled to have him join our team. He shares a vision and commitment to the betterment of local communities that we are passionate about.” Bell Tower President Gary Sidell said in a statement.

In the state House of Representatives, Vargas has been a major backer of zoning reform efforts, and is the main sponsor of the so-called “YIMBY Bill,” which would expand the state’s MBTA-area multifamily zoning mandate statewide, among other high-profile housing production policy ideas pushed by advocates. He is the vice chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies and a member of the powerful House and Joint committees on ways and means, among other committees.

“I am excited to join a dynamic team with a strong reputation for improving communities and businesses through genuine relationships and strategic partnerships.” Vargas said in a statement provided by Bell Tower. “Gary and Fred have tangibly strengthened the businesses, people and places of the Merrimack Valley in so many ways– it’s an honor to join a firm under their leadership. I look forward to growing in this role and continuing to contribute to the vitality of our region.”

Vargas, a former Haverhill city councilor, won’t be the only political hand at Bell Tower. Colleague Vladimir Saldaña is a former staffer for Congresswoman Lori Trahan.