Walsh taps two for Boston economic development posts

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2016/03/02/walsh-taps-two-for-boston-economic-development-posts/

BOSTON – Mayor Marty Walsh on Wednesday named two city employees to key positions in his Economic Development Cabinet, to help bring new businesses to the Hub and assist those already established in the city.

Shaun Blugh becomes director of growth strategies while Lauren Jones moves up to director of business strategy. Danielson Tavares was also elevated to chief diversity officer to replace Blugh in that role.

“It became clear as we worked with General Electric to move their headquarters to the Seaport that we can do an even better job at promoting Boston as open for business and I’m confident that Shaun and Lauren are the right team to get the job done,” Walsh said in a statement about the changes. He created the cabinet in 2014 and expanded its funding in the current budget, introduced in June.

Blugh will create and execute a comprehensive strategy to attract new businesses in emerging industries to neighborhoods across the city. He was named the city’s first chief diversity officer in December 2014.

Jones was part of the team that helped win over General Electric leaders in their deliberations on whether to locate the giant company’s headquarters to Boston. In her new role, she’ll focus on retaining businesses already operating in the city.

Tavares has worked for the city for about two years, first as a special assistant to Walsh and most recently as deputy of chief of operations.

NBPUrban