John R. Regan, a Boston native who has directed government affairs advocacy at Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) for the past 12 years, was selected today as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the commonwealth’s largest business association.

The AIM Board of Directors approved the selection of Regan during a special board meeting this morning. Regan succeeds AIM President and CEO Richard C. Lord, who is retiring after two decades leading the organization.

The appointment is effective May 20.

“The AIM board of directors conducted a comprehensive search to find just the right person to lead this dynamic organization into the future,” said Patricia Begrowicz, Chair of the AIM CEO Search Committee and President of Onyx Specialty Papers in South Lee.

“After engaging with an extraordinary and diverse group of more than 100 candidates and prospects, our committee recommended unanimously to the board that John Regan should be the next President of AIM.”

Regan, who joined the AIM Government Affairs Department in 2000 and was appointed Executive Vice President in 2007, said: “My goals are to ensure that AIM remains the pre-eminent voice for businesses on Beacon Hill, and to make Massachusetts an attractive state for employers of all kinds to succeed. I’m committed to ensuring that AIM represents, and advocates for, the full diversity of Massachusetts employers. I am deeply honored and grateful to the board of directors for their confidence in me and for all the time and effort they invested in this search process.”

At AIM, Regan’s focus has been administrative and legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs, litigation, and ballot initiatives. He has negotiated favorable outcomes for employers on major issues such as health-care reform, paid family and medical leave, use of non-compete agreements, pay equity, unemployment-insurance rate freezes, and the 2018 “Grand Bargain” compromise that avoided costly and contentious ballot questions concerning the minimum wage, sales tax, and paid leave.

Dan Kenary, Chair of the AIM board of directors said: “John emerged as the clear top choice to build on Rick Lord’s long legacy of success advancing the interests of employers and fostering economic growth and opportunity in the commonwealth. We’re excited to have John lead our organization.” Kenary is CEO and co-founder of Mass. Bay Brewing Company in Boston.

Regan has deep experience in both the private and public sectors. Prior to his tenure at AIM, he served as Chief Operations Officer for MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, overseeing real estate development and community revitalization projects including the transformation of the former Fort Devens. Before MassDevelopment, Regan was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, leading the commonwealth’s business retention and recruitment efforts.

Regan, a graduate of Boston Latin School, earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s Seminary College in Boston and a certificate in organizational management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

About AIM

Founded in 1915, AIM engages in public policy advocacy for more than 3,500 Massachusetts employers who collectively employee 1 of every 5 residents of the commonwealth. AIM is dedicated to supporting pro-business legislation and policy on the full range of economic issues including the cost of health care and energy, compliance with employment laws, state and federal budget, taxes, financial issues, and workforce development.