Baker-Polito Administration Launches Economic Development Planning Council

BOSTON – Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito swore in members of the Economic Development Planning Council, which will provide input on and oversight of an economic development plan that will be presented to Governor Baker by the end of the year. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy will serve as co-chairs of the council.

The new council brings a diversity of experience and perspective, including representation from every region of the Commonwealth. The council includes appointees of the House, Senate, relevant Executive Secretariats, and municipal leaders, along with small business owners and entrepreneurs, leaders from key business sectors and higher education.

“Our administration values the unique insight the members of the Economic Development Planning Council will bring under Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Kennealy’s leadership to continue propelling Massachusetts’ economy forward,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We remain committed to empowering local communities with the tools and funding needed to succeed and I look forward to reviewing the Council’s recommendations.”

“I am honored to co-chair this essential process and work with the exceptional and talented individuals appointed to the Council,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, co-chair of the Economic Development Planning Council. “With Council members hailing from the Berkshires to the Cape, representing industries ranging from healthcare to financial services to manufacturing, from entrepreneurial ventures to large established companies, the composition of this Council will ensure Massachusetts benefits from a diversity of perspectives.”

“We are proud of the unprecedented strength of the Commonwealth’s economy, and are committed to ensuring all residents can share in continued economic growth,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy, co-chair of the Economic Development Planning Council. “This Council will embark on a robust planning process, engaging stakeholders across the state for valuable input on ways we enhance our partnership with local communities, educational institutions and training organizations, and businesses. I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across the state, and am pleased to co-chair this council with Lt. Governor Polito.”

The council and process are guided by Section 16G of Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws, which requires a new economic development plan formulated and signed by the governor within the first year of a new administration. Under the leadership of Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Kennealy, the council will embark on regional engagement sessions across the state to obtain public input in the development of a new economic development plan, which the council will approve and present to Governor Baker to guide economic policy over the next four years.

Economic Development Planning Council members:

Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Council Co-chair

Secretary Mike Kennealy, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Council Co-chair

Secretary Rosalin Acosta, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Pat Begrowicz, Owner and President, Onyx Specialty Papers

Stephen Boyd, CEO, Boyd Technologies

Cheri Butts, Associate Director, R&D, Biogen

David Crouch, Founder and Owner, Ten24

Carlos DaCunha, Senior VP & Chief Lending Officer, St. Anne’s Credit Union

Mayor Kim Driscoll, City of Salem

Pamela Everhart, Senior Vice President, Fidelity

Brian Fairbank, Chairman, The Fairbank Group

Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, 5^th Essex District

Leslie Gould, Executive Director, Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce

Leslie Greis, Owner and Director, Kinefac Corp.

Secretary Michael J. Heffernan, Executive Office of Administration and Finance

Judy Herrell, Owner and CEO, Herrell’s Ice Cream

Karl Hetzler, President, H&S Tool and Engineering

Wendy Hudson, Co-Founder, Cisco Brewing

Michael Lauf, President and CEO, Cape Cod Health Care

Senator Eric Lesser, 1^st Hampden and Hampshire District

David Lucchino, Co-founder, President and CEO, Frequency Therapeutics

Sal Lupoli, CEO, Lupoli Companies

Marcos Marrero, Director of Planning and Economic Development, City of Holyoke

Dani Monroe, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Partners HealthCare

Derek Oliver, Director, Government and Industry Affairs, Wayfair

Luis Pedraja, President, Quinsigamond Community College

Secretary Stephanie Pollack, Executive Office of Transportation

Pam Randhawa, Founder and CEO, Empiriko

Dan Rea, Executive VP, Real Estate Development, Pawtucket Red Sox

Jody Rose, President, New England Venture Capital Association

Roben Salinas, Founder, President and CEO, Parsagen Diagnostics

Dorothy Savarese, President, Cape Cod Five Bank

Secretary Katie Theoharides, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Todd Trapp, Chief Financial Officer, Abiomed

Jean VanderGheynst, Dean, UMass Dartmouth

Robin Ward, Secretary, Homebuilders and Remodelers Association, Mid-Cape Home Centers

The locations and dates of the regional engagement sessions are listed below:

Additional details on the regional engagement sessions, including session registration, are available online.