The uptick in the pace of Worcester’s recent revitalization can be attributed to number of factors, but high on that list is Murray joining the chamber back in 2013.
“He is tenancious, and he just can’t be stopped,” said City Manager Edward Augustus. “He is just a fierce advocate.”
A former Worcester mayor and lieutenant governor, Murray has an innate understanding of how those levels of government work to push economic development on the local level. Coupled with his passion for the city and understanding of its potential, Murray has a vision and the ability to realize.
When Gov. Charlie Baker was first elected in 2015, one of the first stops for his administration was Worcester, where he met with the powerful Economic Development Coordinating Committee, of which Murray and Augustus are executive members. At Murray’s suggestion, the EDCC prepared ideas and projects for the new administration.
“It showed the new administration that there was a team in Worcester that had its act together,” Augustus said.
Q&A
How can the region get government funding for economic projects?
Many of the projects recently completed or under way came about as public/private partnerships. Continued collaboration and teamwork are required to build on these successes.
Who in Central Mass. do you admire?
One person is Frank Carroll, who built a small business anchoring an area of Main Street. He advocates on behalf of veterans. He could be comfortably retired but pushes to make Worcester a better place.
Gathered below are the other Central Massachusetts’ 2016 Power Players:
Standard Bearers: Long-time forces in the business community
- Mike Angelini, Chairman of Bowditch & Dewey
- The Crowleys, Owners & Shareholders of Polar Beverages & Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
- Sandy L. Dunn, General manager at the SMG/DCU Center
- Don Irving, President of Black Point Realty & Nichols Square LLC
Trail Blazers: Pioneers setting the latest economic trends
- Karim El-Gamal, Co-owner of the Rail Trail Flatbread Co./New City Microcreamery/
- Ed Moore, President & CEO of Harrington HealthCare System
- Girish Navani, CEO of eClinicalWorks
- Kevin O’Sullivan, President & CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Worcester
- Alec Lopez & Sherri Sadowski, Owners of Armsby Abbey/Crust Bakeshop/The Dive Bar
Behind the Scenes: People in the background who keep the wheels turning
- Cheryl Lapriore, Chief of staff & chief marketing officer at UMass Memorial Health Care
- Gordon Lankton, Retired president of Nypro Inc.
- Ann T. Lisi, President & CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
- Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Vice president of business development at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Jim McGovern & Karyn E. Polito, U.S. Congressman & Lieutenant Governor
Next Wave: Forward thinkers ushering in the new economy
- Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
- Che Anderson, Project manager at the Office of the Worcester City Manager
- Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Dean Rohan, Co-founder & owner, Tree House Brewing Co.
- Christine Thomas, Development partner at XSS Hotels and Colwen Management
Gear Shifters: Up-and-comers breathing new life into old ideas
- Meredith Harris, Executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corp.
- Tarek Elsawy, MD President & CEO of Reliant Medical Group
- Justin & Ashleigh Gelinas, Attorneys at Gelinas & Ward, LLP
- Cliff Rucker, Owner of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club and Worcester Sports Center
- Matthias Waschek, Director at the Worcester Art Museum
