Baker-Polito Administration Announces Leadership Transition at Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
Travis McCready stepping down from role after more than four years as president and CEO of Life Sciences Center; Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Timothy J. McGourthy appointed acting president and CEO
WALTHAM — The Baker-Polito Administration announced a leadership transition at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). Travis McCready, after more than four years of successful leadership of the quasi-public agency, is stepping down from his role as president and chief executive officer of the MLSC, effective as of January 8, 2020. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Timothy J. McGourthy will assume the role of Acting President and CEO of the MLSC.
“I am grateful for the leadership and partnership Travis brought to the Center and the life sciences sector more broadly,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “In recent years, the Commonwealth has further solidified its national and global leadership position in life sciences research and development, innovation, and job creation, all while broadening the industry’s geographic footprint across Massachusetts.”
“We are grateful for the special skill set and spirit of collaboration that Travis brought to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center that enabled transformational growth for the life sciences ecosystem into the diverse regions across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Through newly-established and built-upon initiatives and partnerships in the past four-plus years, Travis has played a key role in carrying out the Administration’s commitment to the life sciences in Massachusetts’ thriving innovation economy.”
“Travis was a tremendous advocate and partner that I appreciated working with on behalf of the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Co-Chair of the MLSC Board of Directors. “Much has been accomplished across the state in growing out the economic and workforce benefits of the life sciences sector. The Life Sciences Center remains in good hands with Deputy Secretary McGourthy and I look forward to working with the entire MLSC team to continue this important work.”
“Massachusetts is a center of life sciences innovation and job creation in the Commonwealth and Travis has been a source of innovation and an excellent partner during this time of success and growth,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan, and Co-Chair of the MLSC Board of Directors. “The future is very bright for the life sciences sector in Massachusetts as it continues to be a key sector in fulfilling this Administration’s economic and workforce development strategy in every corner of the state.”
Mr. McCready, appointed the second president and CEO of the MLSC in September 2015, oversaw a period of tremendous growth and output during his tenure at the Life Sciences Center. This included the drafting, passage, and signing into law of An Act providing continued investment in the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth to invest up to $623 million in bond authorization and tax credits over five years in education, research and development, and workforce training. As president and CEO, he helped oversee the launch of several new programs, including the Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen) to ensure greater gender parity in the life sciences; the Seed Fund aimed at funding innovative and promising life science companies in targeted geographies throughout the Commonwealth; and the High School Apprenticeship Challenge, which broadened the workforce mission of the MLSC providing after-school lab-training programs to select school districts, in addition to, funding 220 internships at 63 life sciences companies and research institutions.
Through a collaborative strategy with regionalization and equity at its core, the MLSC and its partners were able to steward a period of immense success in expanding life sciences growth outside of Boston and Cambridge. Through programs and partnerships targeted at manufacturing and R&D job growth across the state, diversifying opportunities in STEM education and careers, and deploying the largest life sciences college internship program in the United States, the Massachusetts ecosystem has and remains focused on leveraging diverse life sciences assets across the Commonwealth to encourage growth more equitably throughout Massachusetts.
It has been a most sincere honor and privilege to serve in this role on behalf of the Baker-Polito Administration,” said President McCready. “I am most grateful for the people and connections built with a community that understands what can be accomplished through collaboration and engagement at all levels of government, academia, and industry. Massachusetts remains uniquely positioned to lead for many years to come, under the leadership of this Administration and its partners in the legislature.”
Deputy Secretary McGourthy arrives at the MLSC during an exciting time for the Center, with open and ongoing programs such as the Tax Incentive Program, MassNextGen, and Seed Fund, and the continued growth of its workforce programming. This is in addition to several new and returning capital funding opportunities, including programs focused on innovation in the delivery of existing or novel therapies, data science, and women’s health.