The chairman of Worcester retailer Rotman’s Furniture will joined 10 other retail officials throughout the state on a special Massachusetts Legislature retail task force.
Barry Rotman was appointed to the task force by Senate President Stan Rosenberg and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, according to a press release from Rosenberg’s office.Â
The task force will address challenges faced by local retailers, closures of local retailers and the effect on the local economy, ideas to increase the market share for local retailers, and how state and local governments can help promote local businesses.
The other member of the task force are:
- Judy Herrell, owner of Northampton’s Herrel’s Ice Cream
- Peter Kavanaugh of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in Dartmouth
- retail consultant Malcolm Sherman
- Christopher Carlozzi, state director of National Federation of Independent Business
- Jon Cahill, director of marketing for Landry & Arcari Rugs in Salem
- Christopher Connolly, president of the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association
- Jim Carvalho, political director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445
- Harris Gruman, executive director of the SEIU Massachusetts State Council
- Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts
Of the seven legislators who will serve on the task force, none represent Worcester County.
