UMass Boston

Collins Center Staff

Leadership

Associates

Collins Center Leadership

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Michael Ward, Director
Charter and Organizational Structure Practice Area Team Lead
617.287.4876
michael.ward@umb.edu

Mike Ward has been with the Center since 2008, serving as Director of Municipal Services before becoming Director in 2019. He co-founded and currently manages the Collins Center’s Government Analytics Program. Prior to his time at the Center, Ward served as budget analyst for the Town of Concord. In this role, he helped the Town begin integrating performance measurement into its annual budget process, assisted with the financial management of a Recreation Center enterprise fund, and worked on numerous budget and procurement projects. Ward studied innovative urban policy in Curitiba (Brazil) and Singapore as a Thomas J. Watson fellow. He looked at how these cities both managed to reshape themselves through creative public transportation, economic development, and service provision strategies. He has also worked on numerous political campaigns, including managing a mayoral campaign in Massachusetts.

Degrees
MPP, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
BA, Sociology, Amherst College

Robert O'Keefe, Director of Operations
617.287.6226; FAX: 617.287.5566
robert.okeefe@umb.edu

Rob O’Keefe has been with the Center since 2011, serving first as the Office Manager before becoming Director of Operations in 2015. Prior to his time at the Center, O’Keefe worked as Assistant to Dean in the McCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston. 

 

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Mary Aicardi, Senior Associate
mary.aicardi@umb.edu
Human Resources Practice Area Team Lead
Training and Professional Development Practice Area Team Lead
Executive Recruitment Team Lead

Mary Aicardi brings nearly thirty years of experience in public sector human resources administration and labor relations to the Collins Center. She served for more than eight years as the personnel director for the town of Watertown, where she negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements on behalf of the Town. Additionally, Mary has worked as the assistant personnel director for the Town of Barnstable and as a recruiter for a nonprofit agency. She has served as an Interim Human Resource Director for the Town of Braintree and Lasell College. She is a management member of the Commonwealth’s Joint Labor Management Committee, serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association as a past chair, and is certified by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination as a trainer of discrimination and sexual harassment prevention. Aicardi has conducted training programs on a wide range of human resources topics, including performance appraisal, progressive discipline, and sexual harassment prevention, and has consulted with many cities and towns as a hearing officer in discipline cases and as an advisor in organizational restructuring. She has also reviewed and modernized classification and compensation plans for more than 50 municipalities. Mary is also an elected Town Meeting Member in her home town of Shrewsbury.

Degrees
MPA, University of Massachusetts Amherst
BA, Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst

 

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Sarah Concannon, Director of Municipal Services

Finance Practice Area Team Lead
Operations Practice Area Team Lead
sarah.concannon@umb.edu

Sarah Concannon joined the Collins Center in 2012 as a Government Services Specialist before becoming the Director of Municipal Services in 2021. She has led and/or contributed to dozens of consulting engagements in the areas of performance management, municipal operations, and municipal finance across the Commonwealth. When she first joined the Center, Sarah staffed the Center’s Municipal Performance Management Program (MPMP) and later the Government Analytics Program (GAP). Previously she worked as a Research Assistant at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in Athens, Georgia and provided research support for consulting projects including a municipal budget deficit reduction plan, water/sewer systems consolidation study, and city-county consolidation report. Sarah began her career as a Development Research Analyst at Clark University in Worcester. Sarah has also had training as a Certified Facilitator for the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program and completed the Public Contracting Overview seminar through the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) Program.

Degrees
MPA, University of Georgia
BA, Classics, Bucknell University

 

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Ray Shurtleff, Associate
Schools Management and Leadership Practice Area Team Lead
ray.shurtleff@umb.edu

In addition to 22 years’ experience as a high school administrator, Ray has been a Director of Human Resources in Boston and Newton, and an interim HR Director in Fall River, Watertown, and the Boston Renaissance Charter School. Ray has also served as a labor/management collaboration coach with the Rennie Center/Massachusetts Education Partnership’s District Capacity Project from 2012 - 2017 and with the NEA Foundation’s Institute for Innovation in Teaching and Learning from 2012-2016. As an adjunct faculty member, he has taught a graduate human resource management course at UMass Boston, Boston College, Bridgewater State University, and Cambridge College. He also has been an instructor in the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials’ Licensure program, affiliated with Worcester State University.

Degrees
CAGS, Boston University
EdD, Northeastern University
MA, Secondary Education, Northeastern University
BA, History, Northeastern University

Morgan Clark, Public Services Manager
morgan.clark@umb.edu

Morgan Clark practices in the areas of public health and human services, communications, public works, emergency management, policy evaluation, human resources, and a range of other policy areas. She previously served as Health Director and the Deputy Emergency Manager in Provincetown. Clark previously worked in county government and for health and human services nonprofits. Morgan holds a BA in Politics from Scripps College and an MS in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Boston. 

Shawn Fenn, Public Services Manager
IT and Public Safety Practice Areas Leader 
shawn.fenn@umb.edu 

Shawn Fenn has extensive experience in managing and leading business and technology process improvement projects in both the public and private sector. With 20 years of experience in technology management as an analyst, consultant, and project manager, and more than 15 years in state and local government supporting Public Safety and other functions, Mr. Fenn has worked with a multitude of state and municipal departments to procure, implement, integrate and manage process improvement and technology projects. Mr. Fenn has previously managed large scale municipal projects including the implementation of public safety dispatch centers and associated systems, maintenance management systems, paperless court systems, regional IT Services studies, recreation program and facility reservation systems, regional ePermitting and GIS systems, document/records management systems and the creation of multiple project management offices (PMO). Recent private sector experience includes working as a Senior Engagement Manager with an AWS Premier Partner to ensure successful delivery of a portfolio of large-scale big data, cloud migration, digital transformation, machine learning and artificial intelligence projects.  

Mr. Fenn holds a Bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and a Master's in Public Administration from Suffolk University. He is a certified Professional Project Manager (PMP) and holds an ITIL Foundations certificate in IT service delivery. 

Becca Brienza Meekins, Public Services Manager
becca.meekins@umb.edu

Becca is a tenured local government professional with experience in all facets of local government management. Prior to joining the Center in 2023, she served as the Assistant Town Administrator/Human Resources Director for the Town of Northborough, MA, where she developed and implemented an updated classification and compensation plan, reorganized numerous departments, engaged in collective bargaining and labor relations, and led community efforts on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Prior to her service in Northborough, she served as the Assistant Town Administrator for the Town of Grafton, MA where she developed a GFOA award winning budget document and capital plan and implemented the Financial Trend Monitoring System (FTMS) developed by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) as a method for monitoring the financial condition of local governments. In addition, she co-chaired the Massachusetts Municipal Manager’s Association Committee on Diversity Equity and Inclusion, served on the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources Association, and the Massachusetts Women Leading Government Committee. Becca is a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer. 

Degrees
MPA, Clark University

Heather Michaud, Public Services Manager
heather.michaud@umb.edu

After spending much of her early career in corporate banking, Heather transitioned into public service. For over a decade she has worked in public school district operations and finance, serving in positions such as data analyst, accountant, manager of accounting and systems, and director of fiscal affairs for Windham and Avon Public Schools in Connecticut. By writing, implementing, and training staff on best practice-based policies and procedures — covering a multitude of areas such as payroll, benefits, purchasing, accounting, facilities management, nutrition services operations, and student activities — Heather has transformed department activities into exemplary models. Her work implementing modern IT solutions and creating paperless workflows has generated greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability for school districts. Some of Heather’s proudest accomplishments include creating and implementing the first nutrition services consortium in Connecticut, designing benchmarking protocols for both certified and non-certified staff negotiation strategies, fashioning, negotiating and implementing health plan changes, instituting risk management practices to address workers compensation costs, and presenting on public school finance best practices at Quinnipiac University’s summer 092 administrative certificate program. Heather also serves as Treasurer for her regional school district PTO and sits on the Principal’s School Council. 

Brianna Sunryd, Public Services Manager
Public Innovation Design Studio Team Lead
Resilience & Sustainability Practice Area Team Lead
brianna.sunryd@umb.edu

Brianna Sunryd joined the Collins Center in 2023, after spending many years in various leadership roles in local government. Before joining the Center, she served the Town of Amherst as their Director of Communication and Civic Innovation, also acting as their Community Participation Officer. Brianna also worked for the City of Worcester, MA. Brianna has been very active in service and leadership to government focused professional associations and boards such as the MMA, ICMA, National Research Center, Massachusetts Digital Government Summit, and more. Areas of interest and strength include innovation and emerging technologies, communications, community engagement, human-centered design, language justice, strategic planning, process improvement, professional development, and public participation. She’s dedicated much of her public service career to centering community members in policy decisions and program design, implementation, and evaluation. Brianna serves on multiple boards, including the Amherst Personnel Board. 

Degrees
MPP, School of Public Policy University of Massachusetts Amherst
BA, Communications, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Anthony I. Wilson, Esq., Public Services Manager
Charter and Organizational Structures Practice Area Team Lead
anthony.wilson@umb.edu

Anthony Ivan Wilson, Esq. joined the Collins Center in 2022.  He practices in the areas of data analytics, public management, public sector innovation, climate change planning, charter review, and DEIA planning. He previously served as City Clerk for the City of Cambridge, where he led the office through the COVID-19 pandemic.  He implemented programs to modernize the Clerk’s Office’s internal processes.  He also enabled residents to access several city services online.  During Attorney Wilson’s tenure in Cambridge, he participated in the city’s municipal broad band and digital equity study.  Prior to Cambridge, Attorney Wilson served the City Clerk and Associate City Solicitor for the City of Springfield.  In those roles, he helped to negotiate the construction the $600 million Springfield casino and he drafted the city’s cannabis regulation.  He has also served on several board and committees, including the Advisory Board for the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority and the Association of Black Businesses and Professionals.  

Degrees
JD, Suffolk University Law School
BA, Clark Atlanta University

Collins Center Staff

Rob Addelson
robert.addelson@umb.edu

Rob Addelson practices in the areas of management of accounting, treasury, collection, assessing and purchasing functions, operating and capital budget development, debt issuance and management, revenue and expenditure forecasting, and assessment of municipal financial management organization and capacity. From 2006 to 2017, Addelson served as the Assistant Town Manager for Finance in the Town of Lexington responsible for the management of all aspects of the Town’s financial operations and as a member of the Town’s Appropriation (Finance) Committee and the Lexington Retirement Board. From 2003 to 2006, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Arlington Public Schools with responsibility for the development and monitoring of the school department’s annual operating budget and capital budget as well as accounts payable, purchasing, transportation, building maintenance, custodial services and food services. From 2001 to 2003, he served as Chief Financial Officer for the Town of Framingham and from 1995 to 2001 as the Director of Finance for the Town of Needham. From 1987 to 1995, he served in various positions in the Division of Local Services of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the last of which was as Chief of the Municipal Data Management and Technical Assistance Bureau. Rob served as Chair of the Legislature-created Lawrence Fiscal Oversight Board from 1990 t0 1995 working with the Mayor and City Council to bring fiscal stability to the City of Lawrence, MA. He served as a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Associations’ Fiscal Policy Committee from 2000 to 2005 and as a member of the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association during his tenure as a local official. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in City and Regional Planning.

Lee Ann Alden
lee.alden@umb.edu 

Lee Ann Alden is a dedicated learning and organizational development and higher education professional with more than 30 years of progressive human resources experience and a member of the Human Resources leadership team. She has a strong record of providing strategic oversight to the university’s training and organizational development initiatives. She promotes and supports employee growth and development by providing learning opportunities and programs to support an inclusive and collaborative culture. She facilitates the professional and personal development of staff and faculty to enhance the organizational development, effectiveness of departments and work teams. Lee Ann was the Senior Director of Employee Learning, Engagement and Development at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for 24 years before retiring this year. In 2019, Lee Ann was the recipient of the prestigious Eugene H. Rooney Jr. Public Service Award which is a top honor for public employees. 

Margaret Arsenault
margaret.arsenault@umb.edu 

Margaret has spent her career working at UMass Amherst, in learning and development, recently retiring as the Director of Workplace Learning & Development and joining the Collins Center in Spring, 2022. She is working in the practice areas of Human Resources and Training/Education. Margaret has created and facilitated supervisory and management training programs for public sector organizations for over 25 years.  Her areas of specialization are leadership development, inclusive practices, strategic planning and performance management. Margaret is a certified executive coach, MBTI facilitator, intergroup dialogue practitioner, and has advised managers on conflict management in the workplace.  She has her BS from UMass Dartmouth in Business and a M.Ed in Organizational Development from UMass Amherst. 

Marcia "Marcy" Birmingham
marcia.birmingham@umb.edu 

Marcy Birmingham practices in the areas of general project administration, accessibility, budget development, feasibility studies, and public safety. From 2014-2019, Birmingham served as the Interim Town Administrator, Assistant Town Administrator, and Project Coordinator for the Town of Rockland responsible for supporting the Select Board with all aspects of project management, grant writing and management, and community development. Her successful grant-funded project management included ADA Transition Planning and implementation, Master Planning, affordable housing initiatives, energy efficiency, downtown revitalization, web site management, Charter review, and more. From 2008 through 2014, Birmingham served as the Assistant Town Clerk in the Town of Groton with responsibilities including vital and historic recordkeeping, open meeting postings, election management, customer service, and general office administration.  Ms. Birmingham also has extensive experience in publishing, editing, and corporate communications, including roles at Gannett Publishing and the New York Times Magazine Groups. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Vermont and has completed the coursework toward a Master of Education from Chapman University.  

John Brackett
john.brackett@umb.edu

John R. Brackett practices in the areas of executive searches, leadership development, and k-12 education. His career has included serving as superintendent of schools for 22 years, as well as high school math teacher, high school principal, assistant superintendent, researcher, leadership coach, and consultant in Massachusetts, Michigan and California. He also was VP-General Manager of a manufacturing company in Indiana. His school district leadership resulted in demonstrated success in creating high performing leadership teams at the school and district level, a collaborative and continuous improvement culture that leads to student success, and an emphasis on data-driven decision making, responsible and sustainable budgeting and resource allocation and strong school committee-administration working relationships. John recently served as transitional superintendent for the Weston Public Schools and Watertown Public Schools where, among a number of collaboratively identified initiatives, he supported the local School Committee and district in recruiting and selecting its next superintendent. John holds a Doctorate in Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University, a MA in Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a BS in mathematics from Central Michigan University.

Karen Canfield
karen.canfield@umb.edu 

Karen Canfield joined the Collins Center in 2022 to provide expertise in communications, economic development, and general practice areas. Ms. Canfield most recently served as a legislative aide in the MA House of Representatives, responsible for budget, policy, and legislative matters for a Gateway City. Prior to this role, she held positions in commercial real estate finance, public relations, and worked as a freelance editor and writer. In addition, Ms. Canfield has extensive hands-on experience in municipal governance as an elected Select Board member, water/sewer Commissioner, and Library Trustee. Post-COVID19, she launched an economic development initiative for her hometown that has grown into a permanent tourism effort/visitor’s center. She serves as a gubernatorial appointee on the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and was elected to serve on MAPC’S Executive Committee. Ms. Canfield holds a BS from Boston University and MSc from the London School of Economics (Urban and Regional Planning/Economics). 

Stephen Cirillo
stephen.cirillo@umb.edu

Stephen "Steve" E. Cirillo practices in the areas of financial forecasting, capital improvement planning, financial policies, training, budget process, PILOTs, and OPEB strategies. Cirillo progressed rapidly from serving as a budget analyst for the City of New York and the Town of Brookline, to leadership roles including Chief Budget Officer and Treasurer Collector for the City of Newton and Deputy Town Administrator and Finance Director/Treasurer Collector for the Town of Brookline. He has served for 34 years on the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Fiscal Policy Committee and continues in this role today. Steve was one of the original founders of the Massachusetts Municipal Finance Officers Association and is a past president. He has been an Adjunct Professor at the Suffolk and Northeastern University MPA programs, and is currently serving as an Adjunct Professor for the MMA/Suffolk University Certification Program. Steve has several publications on topics ranging from Revenue and Expenditure Forecasting, Long Range Capital Planning, PILOT Negotiations, OPEB Planning, and Policy Budgeting. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern University and a Master in Public Administration from the Maxwell Graduate School at Syracuse University.

David Colton
david.colton@umb.edu

David Colton practices in the areas of management, HR, energy & housing policy, capital programming and budgeting, public works operations, and collective bargaining. His experience includes twelve years as Commissioner of Public Works in the City of Quincy and twelve years as Town Administrator in Milton and Easton. David has gained expertise in infrastructure planning and construction including public buildings, water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities, solar facilities, landfills, and roads and bridges. His experience in public construction includes many projects involving extensive permitting such historic preservation, and environmental protection. He has been a leader in the development of successful public/private partnerships such as the Ames Shovel Works development in Easton and the Granite Links Golf Course in Quincy and Milton. He has implemented management and organizational reforms, conducted difficult negotiations, led master-planning, authored by-laws, streamlined operations, and reimagined communities. He currently serves on the Joint labor Management Committee and the CHAPA Policy Leadership Council. David holds a bachelor of science in Public Administration from Bentley University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Amy Concannon
amy.concannon@umb.edu

Amy Concannon joined the Collins Center in 2020 and works across all of the Center's practice areas, providing research and data analysis. Her previous experience includes working as the Research Director for a State Representative where she worked closely with the state budget process, researched proposed bills, and helped compose legislation. Amy holds a BS from Simmons College in International Relations and Economics. 

Marilyn Contreas
marilyn.contreas@umb.edu

Marilyn Contreas practices in the areas of government structure and organization and regional service arrangements/operations. She served as a senior program and policy analyst for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development for over 35 years. She worked with charter commissions, municipal government study committees, and other local officials on questions of structure and organization of local government. She also served as the state’s representative to the working group to prepare a new charter for the city of Chelsea as it emerged from receivership. She has served as a resource on charter-related questions to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and local Leagues of Women Voters. She has also designed and administered grant programs for municipal governments, and regional planning agencies. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri and a Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany.

Anna Corning
anna.corning@umb.edu 

Anna practices in the areas of charter review, public management, housing policy, and public works operations. She joined the Collins Center in 2024. 

Anna has led and supported municipal consulting projects focused on government structure, service delivery, and affordable housing. She has worked closely with cities and towns to conduct operational assessments, design project workflows, and facilitate governance reform processes. Prior to joining the Center, Anna managed charter review processes for the Cities of Cambridge and Somerville, where she oversaw multi-stakeholder engagement strategies, coordinated legal and policy research, and delivered comprehensive governance reform recommendations. 

Her additional experience includes research and advisory work for local policy organizations and public agencies, particularly around democratic innovation, election policy, and community engagement. She is experienced at helping municipalities build systems that increase transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness to resident needs. 

Degrees: 
MPA, Columbia University (expected 2025) 
BS, Food Studies and Public Health, Syracuse University 

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Richard "Dick" Daly
richard.daly@umb.edu

Richard "Dick" Daly practices in the areas of Information technology reviews, staff succession planning, strategic planning assistance, municipal/district collaboration/merger analysis, and application systems/process analysis and review. He has over 40 years of information technology experience in the private and public sectors. Dick’s experience includes management of IT organizations, IT integration, and commercial off-the-shelf software implementation project management. He has managed IT-related activities from software implementations to moving data centers, turned around and restarted projects that had stalled or failed, facilitated vendor selection, mentored newly appointed project managers, and undertaken extensive IT system reviews and assessments. Dick has worked extensively with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, providing functional application consulting, project management, and implementation planning services as an independent consultant, and also with IBM Global Services. Industry experience ranges from consumer products to aerospace to municipal government. From 2006 to 2010 he served as project manager for an ERP implementation project with the City of Springfield, comprising full financials, purchasing, tax billing, work orders, labor collection and payroll/human resource applications. Daly is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute. He holds an MBA in finance from the A.D. Barney School, University of Hartford, and a BS in business administration from Rider University.

Kelsey Edmond
kelsey.edmond001@umb.edu

Kelsey Edmond joined the Collins Center in 2022 and practices in the areas of information technology and communications but also provides research and data analysis across all of the Center’s practice areas. She is a current doctoral candidate in Public Policy at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston. Her research focuses on digital equity policymaking in the City of Boston. Kelsey holds a BS in Organizational and Community Leadership and an MPA from University of Delaware and a MS in Public Policy from UMass Boston. 

Steve Ellis
steve.ellis@umb.edu                                                                                             

Steve Ellis joined the Collins Center in 2025 following highly productive service as the Town Administrator of Montague, MA (2016-2024) and the Director of the UMass Donahue Institute’s Applied Research and Evaluation Group (2011-2016).  

Steve brings diverse skills and keen perspective to the Collins Center team, practicing in the areas of strategic planning, organizational change management, financial and capital management, intergovernmental relations, leadership coaching, and grantmaking. A dynamic speaker and collaborator, Steve is motivated by his deep commitment to the Commonwealth and its communities. 

Appointed by Governor Healey to the 2023 Economic Development Planning Commission, Steve served as its Rural Sector Chair. He’s presented on wastewater issues for the MA Rural Water Commission and at a wastewater summit organized by Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Natalie Blais. He also participated extensively in FERC relicensing settlement negotiations with FirstLight Power.  He has previously conducted and presented a range of program outcome studies focused on K-12 educational achievement and other topics.  

Steve received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of MA Amherst and holds active MCPPO procurement certification. He is a current member of the Montague Retirement Board, and previously served as a member of Montague’s Town Meeting and Planning Board, and on the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee. 

John Ferris
john.ferris@umb.edu 

John Ferris retired as Director of Business and Support Services from the Hingham Public Schools in June 2022 after 11 ½ years of service.  Prior to joining Hingham, he served as Director of Finance, Operations and Facilities at the Norwell Public Schools for 4 1/2. During his 11 ½ year tenure at Hingham John, had operational responsibilities for all financial operations functions which included accounting, payables, payroll, budget, grant administration and administrative staff.  John oversaw all non-classroom operations departments including facilities, transportation, food services, and the before and after school program.   

While a team member of all CBA bargaining teams, John was the lead administrator for Transportation and Custodian and Maintenance CBAs, as well as the lead for Administrative Assistant agreements. John served as MCPPO for multiple School Building projects including Two Core programs and Accelerated Repair project for windows. 

John earned a Bachelors of Business (BBA) Degree from the University of MA at Amherst and an MBA from Bryant University in Smithfield Rhode Island.  Both with a concentration in accounting. John is also a Certified Management Accountant CMA. Prior to joining education, John worked 25 years in industry --telecom (Verizon) and cable companies (Adelphia) in various assignments including Accounting, Marketing, Sales and Regulatory Departments. During these 25 years, he also had some outside field engineering experience surveying for network design (Comcast) and telephone repair. 

John was a Director for MASBO from 2018-2021 and continues today as a member of the Professional Development Steering Committee and the Professional Culture subcommittee. John joined the Collins Center in Winter 2023 and has assisted with few financial procedure school related projects.  He also stays active providing freelance mentoring and consulting, periodic short-term interim work. 

Stephen Foley
stephen.foley@umb.edu

Stephen Foley practices in the areas of emergency management, regional emergency communications, and fire/emergency medical services. He retired as Deputy Director, Special Operations Division for the United States Capitol Police. He was the principal planner /operations director for the integration of all divisions of the US Capitol Police into operations capabilities for Haz-Mat/WMD response for an agency that represented 2,800 sworn officers and over 300 civilian support staff. He has served on a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team, and on a Type 1 National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) National Incident Management Team. Additionally, he served as Fire Chief/EMS/EMD Director in two municipalities in the Commonwealth. He holds a A.S. from Mt. Wachusett Community College, a graduate of the Massachusetts Office of Fire Services, Chief Fire Officer Program, a graduate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Executive Fire Officer Program, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Program.

Joanne Graziano
joanne.graziano@umb.edu 

Joanne Graziano joined the Collin Center as an Associate in 2021 and practices in the areas of financial management and structure and assessing. She retired in 2021 as the Bureau Chief of Local Assessment with the Division of Local Services and has worked in the assessing field in various capacities in the City of Boston and the private sector since the 1980s. She holds a BS from the University of Rhode Island. 

Michael Hale
michael.hale@umb.edu 

Michael Hale joined the Center as an Associate in 2020 and practices in the areas of municipal management and operations, human resources, and municipal light plant management and operations. Hale was the General Manager of the Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations from 2011 till his retirement in 2020. Prior to that he served as the Assistant Town Manager in Shrewsbury. He holds a BA from the University of New Hampshire, an MBA from Boston University, and completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.  

Sandeep Jani
sandeep.jani@umb.edu 

Sandeep Jani joined the Collins Center in 2019. He is a doctoral student in Public Policy at the McCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston. Jani practices in the areas of geographic information systems (GIS), development, and zoning. He brings expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to many Center projects. Jani has been involved in joint research projects between UMass-Boston and organizations such as the Boston Main Streets Organization. He has been an adjunct professor at Bunker Hill Community College, UMass Boston, and Temple University. Outside of academia, Jani has worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the Spanish wind power company Gamesa Energy as a GIS analysist. Jani holds a BA in Geography from Rutgers University and a MA in Geography and Urban Studies from Temple University.  

Lindsay Katz
lindsay.katz@umb.edu

Lindsay Katz practices in the areas of Human Resources including policy, recruitment, classification, and compensation.  She has 10 years of Human Resources experience from Fallon Health and The TJX Companies, and held the position of Human Resources Administrator for the town of Boylston.  Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Westfield State University.  She has served as a member of a municipal ADA Committee and Town Administrator Search Committee.

Thomas "Tom" Kennedy
thomas.kennedy@umb.edu

Thomas "Tom" J. Kennedy practices in the areas of public Safety consolidation, regional emergency communications and law enforcement services. He is a retired Lt. Colonel/Deputy Superintendent in the Massachusetts State Police and was the principal planner for the consolidation of the four statewide police agencies into the Department of State Police, an agency that represented 2350 sworn officers and 400 civilian support staff. Shortly after consolidation was completed the Department consolidated 45 towns in Central and Western Massachusetts into three Regional Emergency Communications Centers. As the Chief Administrative Officer from 1992 to 1996 Lt. Colonel (ret.) Kennedy oversaw a budget of $140 million dollars and a capital budget of $50 million. During this time, he would oversee multiple technology projects that resulted in the assessment and procurement of radio systems, dispatch centers and information technology. Since retiring Tom has overseen the twelve feasibility studies in Massachusetts for thirty-four municipalities and has provided other consulting or project management services to communities that have or are in the process of consolidating those services. He holds a BS from Northeastern University, an MA in Criminal Studies from The American International College, and a MBA from Anna Maria College.

Melvin "Mel" Kleckner
melvin.kleckner@umb.edu 

Mel Kleckner practices in the areas of organizational change and charter reform, budgeting, financial management, and government operations. Kleckner’s professional career encompasses 41 years in chief executive roles for several Massachusetts towns, including 12 years as Town Administrator for the Town of Brookline. In addition to his service as a municipal executive, Kleckner has served in several leadership positions for professional organizations including President of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Executive Board member of the International City Management Association, President of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association, and a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission.   

During his career, Kleckner has led high performing local governments in all facets of operations including budgeting, financial management, collective bargaining, capital planning, project management and policy analysis.  Kleckner has prioritized hiring, developing and motivating department heads throughout his career, including a number of young professionals who have advanced in the career of local government management. 

Kleckner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Anselm College and a masters degree in public administration from Suffolk University.  He earned a Certificate in the State and Local Government Executives program from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University.  

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Richard "Dick" Kobayashi
richard.kobayashi@umb.edu

Richard "Dick" Kobayashi practices in the areas of executive recruitment and organizational studies. Dick served for over a decade as director of the Commonwealth’s technical assistance programs for municipalities, as aide to the mayor in Malden, as director of planning and development in Lawrence, as a staff member of the Community Development Department in Cambridge, and as a senior planner at the MWRA. He created the Commonwealth’s Incentive Aid program, which professionalized over one hundred municipal positions and while in Lawrence authored the Lawrence Plan, a comprehensive plan for physical and social development. At the MWRA, Kobayashi oversaw development of the Sewerage Analysis and Management System (SAMS) that provides system-wide hydraulic modeling capability. He has also served as an elected official in his hometown of Belmont. Kobayashi worked as an independent consultant from 1995 to 2004 serving municipalities in the US and former Soviet Union. Between 2004 and 2007 Kobayashi served as Resident Municipal Advisor under USAID auspices in Kosovo. Dick was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University where he studied urban policy. He holds a master of public administration from Northeastern University and a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Philip Lemnios
philip.lemnios@umb.edu

Philip Lemnios joined the Collins Center in 2024 as an Associate. Philip served as a Massachusetts local government manager for over 33 years. Throughout Philip’s career he has offered innovative solutions to many issues that communities address. Working in complex regulatory, operational, labor, and political environments required strategic planning and in-depth knowledge regarding best practices. Philip has worked in leadership positions in the City of Attleboro as the Assistant to two Mayor’s, the Town Administrator of Natick, and the Town Manager of Hull. He has developed a broad range of skills required to successfully manage in the local government environment. Skills sets include strategic and financial planning, human resource management, capital planning, project management and community engagement. Philip holds a Master Degree of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University Extension School and a Bachelor of Arts –Communications from the University of Massachusetts. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire (Congo), Africa. Philip’s Peace Corps experience helped to define his passion for government service as a means to improve the quality of life citizens.

Stephanie Lessing
stephanie.lessing@umb.edu 

Stephanie Lessing joined the Collins Center in 2024 and works in the Public Safety and Regionalization practice areas. Her expertise lies in policy analysis and survey research, and her doctoral dissertation focused on police body camera policies. She holds a BS in Economics and Finance from the University of Hartford, a MS in Economics from Tufts University, and a PhD in Public Policy from UMass Boston. She occasionally serves as an adjunct professor at UMass Boston for the Public Policy PhD program and undergraduate Political Science courses 

Patricia "Pat" Lloyd
patricia.lloyd@umb.edu

Patricia "Pat" Lloyd practices in the areas of municipal management and human resources. Prior to joining the Center, she practiced law in the fields of labor and employment, civil rights, and constitutional law. As the managing editor and compliance attorney for Quinlan Publishing Group, she oversaw more than 35 monthly and biweekly periodicals providing management and grant advice for cities and towns and their employees. Closer to home, Patricia has served as a member of her local conservation commission and on several volunteer committees in the Town of Reading, where she was an elected Town Meeting Member for 15 years. Patricia has been a director and officer of several nonprofit organizations, including the Reading Open Land Trust, where she served for 12 years to acquire and maintain open space. Patricia holds a BA in Political Science and a JD from Marquette University.

William "Bill" Lupini
william.lupini@umb.edu 

Bill Lupini brings over 25 years of experience as a school superintendent, having held the position in districts in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, with the majority of that time spent in the Town of Brookline and the City of Beverly. He has also served as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant High School Principal, Program Specialist with the New Jersey Department of Education, and a Marketing Education Teacher. Dr. Lupini has served as President of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) and the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) Governing Board. He was the 2015 Massachusetts “Superintendent of the Year” nominee. He has also served on a number of statewide working groups in Massachusetts, including the Special Commission on Education Collaboratives, the Commission on Achievement Gaps, and the Next Generation MCAS Procurement Review Team.  Most recently Bill served as Interim Executive Director of the LABB Collaborative for the school year 2020-21. He teaches school law and other educational administration courses in a number of programs for aspiring administrators.  Bill holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lehigh University, a Master of Education degree in Leadership, Administration, and Supervision from Rider University, and a BS in Marketing and Business Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

Stephen McGoldrick
stephen.mcgoldrick@umb.edu 

Stephen McGoldrick practices in the areas of management, organizational, and governance issues. He served as Director of the Collins Center from 2013 until his retirement in 2019 and prior to that was Deputy Director since 2008. Before joining the Center, he served as Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. In that position, he was responsible for facilitating strategic alliances among local governments and providing technical assistance to municipalities on a broad range of governance and management issues. He oversaw the largest collective procurement program in New England in partnership with the Greater Boston Police Council and helped to establish the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition. From 1991 to 1996, McGoldrick served as Chief of Staff to the Chelsea Receiver and subsequently facilitated the establishment of Chelsea's post-receivership government. In 1990, he served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Association. From 1983 to 1990, he held leadership positions in the administrations of the mayors of Everett and Somerville. He holds an MS in Management from Lesley University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

Tim Nelson
tim.nelson@umb.edu 

Tim Nelson joined the Collins Center in 2024.  He has over 40 years of experience practicing in the areas of emergency management, Fire/Emergency Medical Service administration and strategic planning. He began his public service career with the City of Holyoke Fire Department ultimately becoming Deputy Chief responsible for emergency management and special operations. He was subsequently selected to become the Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director/Emergency Medical Services Director for the Town of Amherst. He also played a significant role in the in the development of Amherst’s alternative response agency, Community Responders for Equity, Safety & Service (CRESS), serving as a member of the Implementation and Interim Leadership Teams. Tim is a Massachusetts Credentialed Chief Officer, a mentor chief with the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts, a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Human Relations Committee and the Governor’s Large Venue Security Task Force. He also serves locally on the boards of A Better Chance, Amherst and the Central-Western Massachusetts Chapter of the American Red Cross. Tim is a graduate of Springfield Technical Community College, Westfield State College, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Chief Fire Officer Program and the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education program. 

Elizabeth "Ellie" O’Donnell
elizabeth.odonnell@umb.edu 

Ellie O’Donnell joined the Collins Center as a Management Analyst in 2025, where she supports public sector projects through policy analysis, research, and strategic planning consultation. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and is pursuing an M.P.A. from UMass Amherst. 

Ellie has several years of experience in government relations and policy research through roles with RWE Offshore Wind, Shawmut Strategies Group, and the Office of State Senator Jo Comerford (Northampton). She has worked on policy strategy, legislative analysis, and digital communications, driven by a commitment to making institutions more accessible to constituents. 

Ellie is actively involved in public service through leadership roles with UMass Women Into Leadership, the UMass Student Government Association, and the Graduate Student Senate. Her areas of interest and expertise include Massachusetts state and local government, expanding access to higher education, and communications. 

Jodi Phelan
jodi.phelan@umb.edu 

Jodi Phelan practices in the area of Human Resources.  Jodi’s career includes 15 years in sales operations and marketing at Progress Software. In her 20 years with the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, she held positions in the classroom, EdTech department and 10 years in Human Resources as a Project Manager and Assistant Director, Human Resources. Jodi holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Bentley College.   

David Pomerantz
david.pomerantz@umb.edu

David joined the Collins Center in 2022 and practices in the areas of facilities management, municipal emergency operations and climate adaptation and resilience. With educational and professional backgrounds covering city planning, public administration and construction management, David focuses on planning, people and technology to address issues and opportunities within social, natural and built environments. Prior to joining the Collins Center, David was the director of facilities management for Northampton, MA. David has worked with the International City Management Association as the Energy Programs Director to provide technical assistance programs for city and county managers across the country. He worked with public administrators to address municipal operations and community energy cost and supply issues through the development of regulatory and policy initiatives. David’s experience as a FEMA Disaster Reservist, along with the many years he spent as a firefighter, adds to his understanding of the issues surrounding emergency management and the mitigation of community impacts. He is a certified mediator, has a BA in Community Planning and Urban Design from the University of Cincinnati and a Climate Resilience Certificate for Professionals from the Antioch University Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience. David is a dedicated team player with good problem-solving skills. He is a clear communicator who is able to work with and support diverse groups. Strong writing and public speaking skills enable David to advance organization’s missions and build support for their efforts. He is now focusing his efforts on increasing community and regional resilience in light of accelerating climate change.

Mark Rees
mark.rees@umb.edu

Mark Rees’s areas of expertise include municipal financial management (operating budgets, capital improvement plans, revenue/expense forecasting and financial policies), collective bargaining (including costing out contracts), organizational transformation, environmental remediation strategies and procurement. He has over 42 years of municipal government experience having served in eight communities including Town Administrator of Fairhaven, MA (2016-2021), City Manager of Portland ME (2011-2014), Town Manager of North Andover, MA (2000-2011),  Chief Financial Officer for Framingham, MA  (1996-2000), Town Manager of Northbridge, MA (1991-1996), Town Administrator of Ashburnham, MA (1987-1991), Assistant Town Manager for O’Hara Township, PA (1984-1987) and Director of Purchasing for Orange County, NC (1979-1984). In Fairhaven, Framingham, Northbridge, Ashburnham and Orange County, Rees was the first person to serve in those capacities and was responsible for their successful incorporation into the community. Rees is a Life Member of the International City/County Manager Association, a Retired Member of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and currently serves on the Fairhaven Retirement Board. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS from Boston College. 

Jennifer Romboldi
jennifer.romboldi@umb.edu 

Jen joined the Center in 2019 with decades of experience in sales, management, and business. This past year Jen stepped up to her current role as Classification and Compensation Manager, where she manages the Classification and Compensation Division of the Center’s HR Practice, ensuring seamless execution and effective oversight. 

Jen brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, strategy, and organizational efficiency. Her strong background in business operations, project coordination and management enables her to drive success and maintain a dynamic, well-structured environment in the Classification and Compensation Division. Jen leads a dynamic team that specializes in full cycle analysis of compensation review and classification of employment structures. 

Tanya Shallop
tanya.shallop@umb.edu

Tanya Shallop practices in the areas of human resources, management, organizational structure, departmental start-up and evaluations, and IT project management. She has served as the Assistant Town Administrator and Human Resources Director for the Town of Middleton. With the Collins Center she has worked on the Charters of Amherst, Framingham, Fall River, and other cities and towns; led the startup of 311 Departments in Revere, Haverhill, and Everett; and performed Human Resources analysis, project management, and data analysis in numerous cities and towns throughout the State. She holds a BA in Sociology from Bates College and a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

James Tarr
james.tarr@umb.edu

James Tarr practices in the areas of data analytics, public management, budget creation, capital improvement planning, municipal permitting process review, human resources classification and compensation, and a range of other policy areas. His areas of interests also include economic development and planning, emergency management and vulnerability preparedness, financial management review, organizational structure review, process mapping, transportation, and Charter review. He previously served as Deputy Director of Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, where he oversaw long-term planning efforts, managed a suite of financial programs, and helped secure grant funding for revitalization efforts. Tarr has previously worked in municipal government, at nonprofits, and on political campaigns ranging from local races to the 2012 presidential election as an organizer in South Florida. He holds a Master in Urban and Regional Policy from Northeastern University and two bachelor degrees from University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Alex Torpey
alex.torpey@umb.edu 

Alex’s practice areas including shared services and regionalization; community/economic development, human resources, recruitment and retention; financial planning and budgeting; and public and community engagement. Alex joined the Center in 2024. 

Outside of the Collins Center, Alex helps build civic engagement and community resiliency through his nonprofit Rethink Local. Previously, Alex was the Town Manager for Hanover, New Hampshire, and has served as a town administrator in two New Jersey towns as well as the mayor of hometown of South Orange. Alex previously founded a consulting firm, and has worked with dozens of local governments, schools, nonprofits, and companies. Alex taught in Seton Hall University’s MPA program and enjoys helping mentor and coach emerging public sector leaders.  

Alex is a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician, hosts two podcasts, and regularly writes for and speaks for conferences and organizations such as the ICMA. He serves on the Board of Junction Arts & Media. Alex enjoys reading and writing science fiction and spending time outdoors. Alex earned his BA from Hampshire College and MPA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 

Anthony J. Torrisi
anthony.torrisi@umb.edu

Anthony Torrisi practices in the areas of Municipal Financial Management, Budgeting, Forecasting, Capital Programs, and Policy Development. He has over 40 years of experience in municipal government. This experience included 32 years as the Director of Finance and Budget for the Town of Andover, four years as a Budget Assistant in the City of Worcester, and one and a half years as intern/acting assistant town manager in Danvers. In Andover, he was responsible for the Town’s financial planning including the development of the annual budget and 5-year capital improvement plan. Torrisi often served as town manager during town manager absences and was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to two lengthy periods as Acting Town Manager during the recruitment process for Andover town managers. He was a founding member of the Massachusetts Government Finance Officers Association and its first president. During his appointment in Andover, the Town received the GFOA Budget Presentation Award and a AAA bond rating from S&P. Tony has been invited to give many presentations over the years to various state and local associations on many government finance topics including budget presentation, capital planning, goal setting and financial forecasting. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Northeastern University.

Monica Visco
monica.visco@umb.edu 

Monica joined the Collins Center in the summer of 2024 after retiring from her work as a Human Resource Director in several schools and towns.  

Monica began her career in Human Resources working in private industry. After a break in her career to have children, Monica returned to the full-time workforce as the Personnel Director for the Watertown Public Schools. From Watertown, she moved to the then “Town” of Framingham where she spent several years working in municipal Human Resources. From Framingham, Monica spent several years as the Nashoba Regional School District’s Director of Human Resources, combining both her municipal and school experiences. From Nashoba, Monica spent a short time in Marblehead Public Schools, before moving to the Lexington Public Schools and finally ended her career leading the HR function in the Wellesley Public Schools.  

In these positions, Monica honed her skills in collective bargaining, conflict resolution, payroll, benefits, diversity and organizational structure. A long time member of MASPA, MMHR, and MPDE, Monica continuously worked to improve her skills and stay current on relevant topics. Monica graduated from Northeastern University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. 

Anne Wilson
anne.wilson@umb.edu

Dr. Anne Wilson practices in the areas of school district executive searches, school district leadership development and management, K-12 Human Resources, and K-12 Education. Anne’s experience in the field of education includes 7 years as superintendent of schools in Sudbury, MA and 3 years as assistant superintendent for human resources in Brookline, MA.  In addition, Anne has experience as a middle school principal, assistant principal, and mathematics instructor (middle school, high school, and junior college) in California, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  Anne’s experience includes leadership and development of high-performing teams at the school and district levels focused on meeting diverse student needs through collaboration and a focus on continuous improvement. She also served as the founding principal of Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville, CA with responsibility to supervise construction of the building, conduct all hiring, and develop programmatic design for the new school.  Anne also has taught a doctorate level human resources management course at Boston College as an adjunct faculty member. Anne holds a PhD in Educational Administration from Boston College, a MS degree in Curriculum from California State University, East Bay, and a BS degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Bloomsburg University.

Francis X. "Frank" Wright, Jr.
frank.wright@umb.edu 

Francis X. “Frank” Wright, Jr. practices in the areas of charters, government structures and organizations.  He is the former City Solicitor for the City of Somerville where he served as legal counsel for 23 years, during which the Boston Globe recognized Somerville as Massachusetts’ best run city. He provided opinions, advice and legal representation to the Mayor, the City Council, all departments and most of the City's boards and commissions.  Frank has been awarded the President's Award from the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association for his overall service and a career contributing significantly to the betterment of local government and municipal law.  He has also served fourteen years as a City Councilor in the City of Melrose, including as its President.  Frank also served as a member of the Melrose Board of Registrars of Voters and the Board of Appeals.  He has been a member and officer of the Kiwanis Club of Somerville for two decades, actively providing for the needs of Somerville's children and elderly.  Frank holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a JD from Western New England University in Springfield. 

Edward J. Collins, Jr. Biography

Throughout his long and outstanding public career, Edward J. Collins, Jr. epitomized the spirit and goals of the Center for Public Management that now bears his name.
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Collins Center Reports

Check out our publications page for reports from recent projects.
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Collins Center Services

The Center’s aim is to enable public entities to provide a variety of high quality consulting services to the people we serve on a sustainable basis.
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