Develop Springfield announces interim executive director - Western Mass News - WGGB/WSHM

Develop Springfield announces interim executive director

DevelopSpringfield, a non-profit corporation dedicated to advancing development and expediting revitalization within the city, today announced that it has appointed Kevin M. Sweeney as its interim Executive Director, effective as of March 12, 2012.

Sweeney has agreed to serve as Executive Director for approximately six months as DevelopSpringfield begins to expand its strategic focus. During this period, he will be responsible for implementing an operating plan for DevelopSpringfield, preparation and execution of a broader long-term strategy for the organization, and beginning the implementation of the Rebuild Springfield Master Plan recently unveiled.

According to Nick Fyntrilakis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DevelopSpringfield, "Kevin will play a critical role in helping lead the first stages of implementation of the Rebuild Springfield Master Plan - the community's vision for the future of its neighborhoods impacted by the June 1, 2011 tornado and for Springfield as a whole."

"He brings a broad set of experiences to the table and a passion for improving our community – we are thrilled to bring him on board", added Fyntrilakis.

Sweeney will also be accountable for managing ongoing and new DevelopSpringfield revitalization projects, including, for example, the Eastern Gateway Project, which, in partnership with American International College, seeks to revitalize an underdeveloped section of State Street between Austin Street and Roosevelt Avenue. He will also assist DevelopSpringfield's Board of Directors with its search for a permanent Executive Director.

"I am very excited about joining DevelopSpringfield and being part of the dynamic community-wide effort to implement a comprehensive revitalization plan that is true to the extraordinary spirit, values and potential of the City of Springfield," commented Sweeney.

Sweeney will be leaving his current role as a Managing Director of MassMutual Capital Partners LLC, where he has been responsible for strategic mergers and acquisitions and other transactions for the Springfield-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies.

He has served in various other executive roles with MassMutual since 1993 in international operations, law, and human resources. Earlier in his career he practiced law with the Springfield firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP. 2 1182 Main Street, Springfield, MA, 01103.

Sweeney has been active in a variety of community, economic development and academic activities. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Common Capital (formerly the Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund) and he is the Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation. He is also Chairman of the Executive Advisory Council of the M.B.A. Programs at Elms College. Sweeney is also a member of the adjunct faculties of Western New England University, Columbia University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Elms College, teaching primarily corporate finance and strategy.

Sweeney has a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He also earned his M.B.A. jointly from the New York University – Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics and HEC – Paris.

"DevelopSpringfield is the city's primary economic development partner –and I am very pleased that the Board has selected Kevin to lead the organization during this critical phase of its development", said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "Kevin has all the right skills to successfully guide this work," noted Sarno.

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