Fall River native Chapdelaine to succeed Beckwith as MMA Director

By Alison Kuznitz

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JULY 28, 2023…..Adam Chapdelaine, deputy director of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, has been tapped as the next executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Chapdelaine previously served as president of the MMA, as well as town manager of Arlington and city administrator for Fall River. He was also deputy chief of staff for budget and constituent services for Joan Menard, a former state representative and senator.

“Massachusetts strengths are embodied in its cities and towns and I can think of no greater role than leading an organization designed to advocate for and enhance our municipal operating environment,” Chapdelaine said in a statement. “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.”

Chapdelaine, a Fall River native who now lives in Dedham, starts on Sept. 9. When it was on the hunt for a new executive director, the MMA said the post could come with a salary of up to $250,000 and a lengthy suite of other employment benefits.

At the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, Chapdelaine has worked on climate resiliency policies for the city and the state, according to his LinkedIn account.

At a private meeting, the MMA Board made the appointment Friday morning, following an “in-depth” national search, the MMA said in a news release.

The Executive Director Search Committee considered “many well qualified candidates” and narrowed the list to three finalists, the MMA said. Chapdelaine was ultimately recommended unanimously for his new post.

“Among a strong field of candidates, Adam’s experience, vision, and hands on approach stood out,” MMA President Jill Hai, a Lexington Select Board member, said in a statement. “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.”

Geoff Beckwith, the outgoing head of the MMA, announced his September retirement — coinciding with his 65th birthday — in January. Beckwith, who’s served as executive director for 31 years, said in a Jan. 11 post that it’s the “right time” to transition into a new phase and focus on family, writing, researching, teaching and mentoring.

“This has not been an easy decision, as I still feel great energy and passion for this amazing job, which I love very much,” Beckwith wrote. “I am inspired every day by our extraordinary members and staff, and I know that MMA has exciting and important work to do in the months and years ahead.”

The MMA represents all 351 municipalities, and says it aims to develop and advocate for unified policies to make municipal government operations more efficient. The organization reviews about 3,000 pieces of legislation each year and testifies on about 100 bills, according to its website.

“I’ve spent seventy-five percent of my career and nearly half my life at the MMA,” Beckwith also wrote in his message. “During this time, my colleagues on the staff have improved every part of our operation. They have expanded our services, modernized our systems, and built a truly impactful organization. The credit for all our gains belongs with these dedicated and gifted professionals. My only real accomplishment has been to hire and support them as best I could along the way.”