MassDevelopment Announces New Executive Vice President of Devens Operations

April 16, 2010

Contacts:
Kelsey Abbruzzese, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086
Mark Sternman, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2034

MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert L. Culver today announced the appointment of George A. Ramirez to lead the Agency's Devens redevelopment operations beginning Monday, May 3. Ramirez was one of more than 70 applicants for the position.

“I am thrilled to welcome George to MassDevelopment,” said Culver. “His experience in government at the local and state levels and his ability to bring people with a variety of viewpoints together will serve the Devens community and Massachusetts well in the months and years to come.”

As executive vice president of Devens operations, Ramirez will oversee the continued redevelopment of the former military base into an economic engine for north central Massachusetts.

Ramirez brings nearly two decades of expertise to MassDevelopment. He worked most recently as deputy director and general counsel in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, where he played a key role in managing six agencies and more than 80 fulltime employees. In that capacity, he facilitated state support for economic development, chaired the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, served as a member of the Emerging Technology Fund Advisory Committee and coordinated the Governor's Development Cabinet. In addition to his service as a member of the Lowell City Council, Ramirez has also run a private law practice for six years. A resident of Lowell, he holds a B.A. from UMass-Lowell and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, where he is a member of the Board of Trustees.

“I also wish to express my thanks to MassDevelopment Chief of Staff Meg Delorier for stepping in to oversee Devens operations during the search process,” said Culver.

MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development authority, works with businesses, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2009, MassDevelopment financed or managed 229 projects statewide representing the investment of nearly $1.2 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are supporting the creation of 1,488 new housing units and 8,232 jobs: 3,362 permanent and 4,870 construction-related.