Adam Chapdelaine appointed as MMA’s new executive director

The MMA Board of Directors today appointed Adam Chapdelaine as the association’s next executive director to succeed the retiring Geoff Beckwith.

Chapdelaine, a past president of the MMA and seasoned municipal leader, will begin his new role on Sept. 9, after Beckwith retires.

“Among a strong field of candidates, Adam’s experience, vision, and hands on approach stood out.” said MMA President Jill Hai, a Lexington select board member. “His public management experience and understanding of the public policy environment, his demonstrated ability to work with municipal leaders across Massachusetts and in the state and federal governments will serve our members well.”

Chapdelaine, currently the deputy director of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, said Massachusetts’ strengths “are embodied in its cities and towns.”

“I can think of no greater role than leading an organization designed to advocate for and enhance our municipal operating environment,” he said. “The MMA has an outstanding team, and I am looking forward to working with the staff, board and our members in assuring that our cities and towns of all sizes are outstanding places for our residents to live and work.

“I look forward to carrying on the well-established public service culture and standard of excellence within MMA.”

Chapdelaine has served as city administrator and in other roles for the city of Fall River, and as deputy town manager and then town manager for the town of Arlington. Before that, he served as deputy chief of staff for budget and constituent services in the office of state Sen. Joan Menard when she was majority whip.

At the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, he worked to engage key business and civic leaders and interested citizens in the design and implementation of the city’s climate adaptation and mitigation strategy.

A native of Fall River, Chapdelaine earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and his master’s in business administration from Suffolk University. He lives in Dedham with his wife, Rita, and their two children.

In the course of his career, Chapdelaine has served as president of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, a member of the Metropolitan Mayors’ Coalition, a member of the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission, and a member of the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.

MMA President Hai appointed a diverse nine-member Executive Director Search Committee that was representative of the MMA membership. The committee conducted an in-depth national search focused on recruiting a strong and diverse field of candidates, with the assistance of a public sector executive search and consulting firm. The committee considered many well-qualified candidates and referred three finalists for interviews to the MMA Executive Committee. Chapdelaine was the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Committee and was duly appointed by the association’s elected Board of Directors.

Beckwith is retiring on Sept. 8 after more than three decades of service to the MMA membership.

“Geoff joined MMA after serving as a state legislator,” Hai said. “He built strong credibility with the MMA membership and leaders throughout the Commonwealth. We thank Geoff for his dedicated and exceptional public service to our cities and towns and congratulate him on his retirement.”