Jay Ash

Jay Ash is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, a non-partisan, non-profit organization comprised of 16 of the largest businesses in Massachusetts. His work there, to focus on policies and initiatives that make the Massachusetts economy stronger and more competitive, comes after serving as the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Housing and Economic Development in Governor Charlie Baker’s first cabinet. As secretary, Ash was responsible for directing and executing Governor Baker’s agenda on housing and community development, job creation, business development, consumer affairs, and business regulation. During that four-year tenure, Ash headed-up efforts to retain and attract businesses, promote the revitalization 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; the implementation of more than 100 community revitalization initiatives, including the groundbreaking of the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield and the Paramount Theater renovations in Springfield; the development of strategies that led to greater state support for workforce development; and 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 percent, expanded its commercial base with two dozen major projects, led all Gateway Cities with a 15 percent increase in new employment, developed 10 new parks, secured five credit rating increases, and won two All-American City designations. Jay also served in the past as Staff Director to the Massachusetts House Majority Leader, and his previous board engagements include Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, past President of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and member of the public policy think tank MassINC.