David Gibbons, the executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), will be resigning on December 1 in light of internal conflicts and a critical audit of diversity efforts. His departure coincides with the controversial development in South Boston and the MCCA's failure in meeting its diversity and inclusion objectives according to the Boston Globe.
Gibbons, who was appointed in 2015 and has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, is prematurely exiting his latest three-year contract. It is worth noting that he leaves over a year before his current contract, which was unanimously renewed by the Board in 2021 and had a base rate of $264,600 plus an extra 10% in incentive pay, was due to expire, the Boston Herald reported.
The MCCA Board, which had a majority of members recently replaced by Governor Maura Healey in June, rejected Gibbons' proposal to develop a section of land in South Boston that is owned by the MCCA last week. The Board argued that the process lacked transparency and hence gave it a fresh start as reported by the Boston Herald.
Gibbons' development plan received objections from state Sen. Nick Collins, City Council President Ed Flynn, and former City Councilor and current MCCA Board Member Michael Flaherty earlier this year. They labeled the process "unusual" and "uncompetitive," the Boston Herald reported. In light of Gibbons' departure, the board has committed to finding a replacement through an open, competitive, and transparent process.
Diversity and inclusion objectives at the MCCA have been failing, as determined by an internal investigation into allegations of discrimination. The Board chair, Emme Handy, responded by stating that these goals would be prioritized as the authority transitions in leadership as reported by the Boston Herald.
With reference to this transition, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Rooney described it as a challenge for MCCA to rebuild its culture. Rooney sees it as an opportunity "to erase the plans of the past and take a fresh look at the strategic role of our convention centers to help advance our broader economic growth agenda of Boston and the Commonwealth" as reported by the Boston Herald.
