Rick Sullivan Announces His Retirement as President, CEO of Western Mass Economic Development Council
Sullivan served the EDC for 11 years, bringing economic growth and opportunity to the region
SPRINGFIELD—Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass Economic Development Council, announced his retirement this morning at a meeting of the organization’s Board of Directors. His last day in the role will be Dec. 31.
Sullivan came to the EDC as an already-seasoned leader in Massachusetts, and in his 11-year tenure, he focused on growing the organization and its influence with statewide leaders and policy makers. Programming has also greatly expanded, membership has doubled, and the region’s economics are considerably stronger.
Most recently, Sullivan led the EDC in publishing a white paper early in 2024, outlining where to make multi-million-dollar investments in the region, which led to a recent $70 million award through the state’s Economic Development Bond Bill. The region is now investing in food science, quantum computing, and clean tech. The award was the largest in the region’s history.
“I’m proud of the work that we’ve done,” Sullivan said. “I’m always very mindful of the fact that we’re a team. I’ve been fortunate to have supportive staff here and a board that is really committed to growing the economy of the region. The strength of the EDC is about the people who sit around the table.”
Sullivan added that he is excited to be retiring and plans to travel and spend more time with family, but as with all new things, there is also some trepidation. “It’s a new chapter, and there’s always that anxiety of something new and what retirement will bring,” he said.
Leadership career spanned decades
A partner in a law firm early on in his career, Sullivan was mayor of Westfield from 1994 to 2007, and served as president of the Massachusetts Mayors Association in 1998.
Before coming on board as president and CEO of the EDC, he was chief of staff in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office in 2014 and 2015 and held leadership roles with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Sullivan is 66 and lives in Westfield with his wife, Lisa Oleksak Sullivan, a realtor and Coldwell Banker top agent. They have three children and eight grandchildren. “I could not have done this work if I didn’t have a great support system at home,” Sullivan added.
Leaders across the state pay homage
Sullivan and his work with the EDC are well-respected across the state. After learning the news of Sullivan’s retirement, leaders in a broad spectrum of industries across EDC’s core region—Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties—and in Boston, said Sullivan is a strong leader, a master convener and collaborator who is dedicated to Western Mass.
Christina Royal, chair of the EDC’s Board of Directors, said Sullivan was gift to the EDC and the community. He came on board in January 2015, “when the EDC was a much smaller version of itself,” Royal said. “It is a testament to Rick’s leadership, political acumen, and commitment to this region that it is so hard to think about how we begin to find a successor.”
She said Sullivan has contributed in significant ways—expanding the vision of the EDC to strengthen businesses, enhance workforce and economic development, and prioritize equity in the initiatives of the EDC; actively partnering in the creation of the Congressman Richard Neal Cyber Security Center in Springfield; supporting the development of a new, three-year strategic plan that launched in January 2025; and engaging stakeholders, supporting regional initiatives and legislation that positively impacts Western Mass in countless areas.
“This is just a small part of a long list of accomplishments for which Rick has led or was involved in in recent years,” Royal stressed. “His career spanning a decade has elevated our region, created more financial stability and enhanced partnerships with Boston and Worcester that have put Western Mass on the map.”
Charles L. D’Amour, executive chairman of the Board of Directors of Big Y Foods, Inc. and a member of the EDC board, said Sullivan’s dedication to the region has been evident since he was mayor of Westfield. “His ability to collaborate, to convene business leaders and state leaders and municipal leaders has really proven out to be very effective and to really benefit the region,” D’Amour said. “A culmination of Rick’s work came about a year ago with the publication of the white paper that focused the region on key areas for growth and development. Rick understands the region’s challenges and its assets. We’re going to miss Rick.
“Rick has done a great job of pushing the EDC forward in such a way that we are recognized not only locally but on the state level and nationally,” D’Amour added. “Rick’s also done a great job of bringing more members onto the EDC board. That speaks volumes. People believe in his leadership.”
Governor Maura Healey said Sullivan has dedicated his career to advancing economic growth in cities and towns across Massachusetts, especially in Western Mass. “He has been a great partner in our work to support local businesses, create jobs and grow Massachusetts’ leadership in cutting-edge industries,” Healey said. “We wish him the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement, and we look forward to working with the next leader of the EDC to continue to build on his legacy.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the news of Sullivan’s retirement is bittersweet. “Only mayors know that you have to get things done yesterday, and it was a pleasure to work with Rick. I appreciate his dedicated economic development efforts for Western Massachusetts, and I wish my friend and his family good health and continued success in all his future endeavors.”
Dominick Ianno, head of State Government Relations at MassMutual, congratulated Sullivan on his impressive career and his dedication to the region. “Rick has always been a strong voice in advocating for Western Massachusetts. Whether as mayor, a senior state government official or the head of the EDC, he has always been a champion for a vibrant and prosperous region. We will miss his leadership and wish him well in his retirement.”
Javier A. Reyes, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, said Sullivan is leaving a profound legacy of collaboration and advocacy for the Western Massachusetts region. “UMass is proud to be a partner in the work of the Western Massachusetts EDC, and we are grateful for Rick’s leadership over the past 10 plus years,” he said.
Mary-Beth Cooper, president of Springfield College, said Sullivan has been an incredible partner with higher education. “Rick Sullivan’s leadership has played a vital role in strengthening our region’s economy and fostering community growth. His dedication, vision and ability to unite people have made a lasting impact,” she said. “I want to express my sincere gratitude for his years of service and wish him all the best in this next chapter.”
Search for new leader has launched
Royal said D’Amour has been asked to chair the search committee that will seek a new leader for the EDC.
The EDC Executive Committee has hired Lindauer, an executive search firm with experience in Western Mass, to lead a nation-wide search for the next CEO.
Royal said Lindauer will first hold feedback sessions with key constituents on the priorities of the position and begin to advertise no later than May, conducting early interviews with candidates before making recommendations to the search committee, which will also conduct a series of interviews.
“I’m hoping we can make an announcement in September or October with a projected start date no later than January 1, 2026,” Royal said. “That’s a pretty good timeline.”
She added that Sullivan has such a broad range of skills, which you don’t normally find in one person, that the task of finding a new leader is daunting. “That’s why we’re engaging a search firm—to help us find another major unicorn, one I feel the EDC landed on when they landed Rick 10 years ago,” she said. “I’m constantly amazed at how many strengths he brings to the position.”
Looking ahead
Sullivan said the next leader of the EDC has exciting growth opportunities in the food science, quantum computing, cyber security and manufacturing sectors. “There’s a lot of good synergy out there that will come together with new energy and vision and grow the initial catalyzing work that we’ve done in those sectors,” he added.
Continued success will come through population growth, diversification of economies and focusing on becoming cutting-edge in one sector, which he predicts could be food science in this region, where the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is a world leader.
“It’s important to have some centers of excellence that you’re nationally and internationally known for and those opportunities are right here,” he said. “It won’t happen because it makes sense. People will have to work at it every day to make it a reality.”
