Lawrence Mayor to lead agency
Rivera to helm MassDevelopment
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera, a Democrat and ally of GOP Gov. Charlie Baker, who has led his city through a gas disaster and an even deadlier pandemic, will be the next leader of MassDevelopment.
Board members for the quasi-public economic development agency voted unanimously Thursday morning to extend Rivera a contract to take over the helm when Lauren Liss, the current president and CEO, steps down at the end of the year.
“I am both honored and humbled to be chosen as the President and CEO of MassDevelopment and I’m excited for the opportunity to hone my focus on economic development, especially during these trying times,” Rivera said in a statement. “In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, MassDevelopment stands to play a role in reconstruction of our economy that is inclusive, equitable, and focuses on neighborhoods and business districts in every corner of the Commonwealth.”
Baker nominated Rivera, who has served on the governor’s Latino Advisory Commission and more recently on his coronavirus reopening and vaccine advisory boards, for the MassDevelopment job. The two have long had close ties despite their political differences, with Rivera crossing party lines to endorse Baker in his 2018 re-election bid.
“Dan Rivera will bring dedicated leadership experience, compassion and a steadfast commitment to economic recovery and growth for Massachusetts’ cities and towns in his new role at MassDevelopment,” Baker said in a statement.
Details of the contract were not immediately available. Liss earned $251,952 in salary in 2019, state payroll records show.
Rivera is entering the last year of his second term as mayor of Lawrence, where a race had already been taking shape to replace him. He told the Herald he would be addressing the Lawrence City Council on Tuesday to discuss his transition.
Rivera’s leadership skills were forged through trials by literal fire. He helmed one of the state’s largest cities through a fatal gas disaster and an even more deadly pandemic, and helped guide Lawrence Public Schools through a years-long state-run turnaround. He managed a $341 million operating budget, $92 million capital budget and oversaw 3,500 employees.
“I’ve seen Dan’s leadership style and his experience and Lawrence, like all of our gateway cities, has tremendous challenges and tremendous opportunities, and I think Dan has done a great job addressing both,” Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy said during the MassDevelopment board meeting.