Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Tim Sheehan are excited to announce that Westmass Area Development Corporation (Westmass) of Springfield, a major not-for-profit economic and real estate development firm, will be taking on the leadership role with Develop Springfield. Mayor Sarno and CDO Sheehan joined with Jeff Daley, President & CEO of Westmass Area Development Corporation and incoming President & CEO of Develop Springfield, for the announcement at Springfield Innovation Center.
Found in 1960, Westmass is a leader in developing and managing exceptional properties in both the public and private sectors. Their innovative approach and team of professionals have helped transform various projects across Western Massachusetts, while enhancing and strengthen communities through their investments that create jobs, housing and other economic development opportunities.
Mayor Sarno states, “Under my new administration, we created Develop Springfield in 2008 as a nonprofit to put a direct focus on ‘Springfield first’ initiatives and to tackle difficult properties for redevelopment and repurposing aspects.”
“I want to thank CDO Tim Sheehan, Jeff Daley, President and CEO of Westmass, Chairman of the Board of Directors AJ Crane, and the entire team at Westmass for their continued belief and investment in our Springfield. Westmass is renowned for their innovative strategies and leadership in helping to advance economic development projects throughout Western Massachusetts that create more of that good four-letter word, jobs! With Westmass taking on the leadership role with Develop Springfield, I have the utmost confidence that this partnership will serve as the catalyst for the next positive step to grow and build upon the economic development projects and opportunities that Develop Springfield has already advanced,” said Mayor Sarno.
CDO Tim Sheehan stated, “Westmass will bring a new vision to Develop Springfield and will enhance the work Develop Springfield has already accomplished by bringing forward new ideas, a talented development staff and a commitment to focusing on the development opportunities that are unique to Springfield as the largest city in Western Mass.”
“With Westmass taking on the mission and operations of Develop Springfield, we are excited to assist the community of Springfield with some of its more challenging real estate development projects. Westmass has been implementing successful real estate development projects across Western Mass for over 60 years and we now look forward to bringing that expertise to Develop Springfield,” said AJ Crane, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Westmass Area Development Corp.
“I am excited to begin the projects that Develop Springfield currently has and projects we will take on in the coming years. While continuing to lead and develop projects with Westmass, I know we have the perfect team in place to transition that same work over to Develop Springfield. Springfield has a lot of opportunities for growth and success, and I am looking forward to leading Develop Springfield to be a catalyst developer for those successes!” said Jeff Daley, current President & CEO of Westmass Area Development Corporation and incoming President & CEO of Develop Springfield.