Jay Ash

Biography: Jay Ash is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, a non-profit, non- partisan, public policy group comprised of the CEOs of 20 of the state’s largest businesses. His work at MACP focuses on policies and initiatives that make the Massachusetts economy stronger and more competitive and comes a??er serving as the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Housing and Economic Development in former Governor Charlie Baker’s first cabinet. As secretary, Ash was responsible for directing and executing an agenda on housing and community development, job creation, business development, consumer affairs, and business regulation. During his four-year tenure, Ash headed-up efforts to retain and attract businesses, promote the regeneration of communities, and support the prosperity of the state’s residents. In addition to championing four major economic development bills into law, Ash was the Governor’s lead on the attraction of GE to Boston and the PawSox to Worcester and the building of the Berkshire Innova??on Center in Pittsfield. He also supported more than 200 local revitalization projects, oversaw support for tens of thousands of units of housing development, led workforce development efforts that produced record job levels, and oversaw the strategy that led to a 96% decrease in the use of hotels & motels to shelter homeless families. He previously served for 14 years as the city manager in his native Chelsea, where he grew the city’s housing stock by over 10%, expanded its commercial base with two-dozen major projects, led all Gateway Ci??es with a 15% increase in new employment, developed 10 new parks, secured 5 credit rating increases, and won 2 All-America City designations. His career in public service began at the State House, where he rose through the ranks to become staff director of the House Majority Leader’s Office. Among his professional affiliations, Jay was co-founder and vice-chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, past president of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and board member of the public policy think tank MassINC. His most recent tribute came from the alumni association of his alma mater, Clark University, which presented him with the Service to Society Award, which celebrates an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to society.