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Archived: AIM-Member Employers Join Governor’s Economic Panel

Posted on October 7, 2015

The chairman of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Board of Directors yesterday joined more than a dozen other AIM members as part of a council that will help the Baker administration develop a long-term economic plan for the commonwealth.

Kenary2-15Daniel Kenary, chief executive officer and co-founder of the Harpoon Brewery who took over as chair of AIM in May, will formally represent the association on the governor’s Economic Development Planning Council. The council, chaired by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, must submit its economic plan to the Legislature by the end of the year.

“The Planning Council offers an opportunity for engagement with business, public, and non-profit sector leaders on a wide range of economic development priorities and programs,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Their invaluable experience will help guide our planning and implementation, and I look forward to continued partnerships as we work to develop Massachusetts’ economy, and ensure that communities across the commonwealth share in our economic growth.”

The council is expected to address many of the same business-development challenges that AIM included in its centennial Blueprint for the Next Century plan. Issues such as regulatory reform, workforce development, business costs and innovation are expected to dominate the agenda.

Kenary will be joined on the council by three fellow AIM directors – Andrew P. Botti, Esq., Director, McLane Middleton Law Firm; Jeevan Ramapriya, Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Co.; and Ralph Smith, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, Kayem Foods Inc.

Other members named to the council include:

  • Arthur Barrett, President, Barrett Distribution Centers
  • Delcie D. Bean IV, CEO, Paragus Strategic IT
  • Tom Chmura, Vice President for Economic Development, University of Massachusetts
  • Donna Cupelo, Regional President, Verizon New England
  • Jack Healy, President and CEO, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership
  • Salvatore Lupoli, President and CEO, Lupoli Companies
  • Chris Oddleifson, President and CEO, Rockland Trust
  • Peter Stasiowski, Director of Communications and Human Resources, Interprint Inc.
  • Susan Mailman, President, Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc.
  • Robert F. Rivers, President and COO, Eastern Bank
  • Karen Kaplan, Chairman/CEO, Hill Holiday
  • Wayne Canty, CEO/ Owner, Heat Trace Products, LLC

Public-sector participants include the co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, Senator Eileen Donoghue and Representative Joseph Wagner. Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ron Walker, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, and Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack are also part of the panel.

“AIM is an association of employers so we are delighted that Dan Kenary and other talented employers are part of the Economic Development Planning Council. No one can help the Baker administration better understand the challenges of job creation than the people actually creating jobs here in Massachusetts,” said Richard C. Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIM.

Massachusetts law requires the appointment of an economic development planning council, and the filing of an economic development plan, within the first year of each new gubernatorial administration. The Council will convene again for the second and final time on December 9 to offer its final recommendations