Gloria Larson named interim executive director of Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) has announced that the MCCA Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve Gloria Cordes Larson to serve as its interim executive director. Larson, a respected business leader, lawyer, public policy expert, and former president of Bentley University, will fulfill the duties and responsibilities of managing all MCCA operations and leadership until a permanent executive director is named. She will start at the MCCA in January. Larson returns to the MCCA after serving as chair of the Board for 12 years, during which time she oversaw the construction and opening of the $850m Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC). “Gloria is an enthusiastic, inclusive, and strong organisational leader who steps into this role with deep executive and institutional experience,” said governor Maura Healey. “I’m grateful for her commitment to service to the MCCA and Massachusetts, and I am confident in her leadership to steer an organisation critical to our economy and our communities.” As interim executive director, Larson will be responsible for the daily management of the authority. Larson served in various capacities in the Deval Patrick administration, including leading the governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. Her time as MCCA board chair also overlapped governor Patrick’s time in office. “Gloria is an excellent choice. Wise, effective and values-driven, she’ll bring steady leadership to the MCCA in the months ahead. We should all take comfort knowing she’s at the helm,” said the former governor. “It’s an honour to answer the call to once again serve such a critical economic and cultural engine for the Commonwealth,” said Gloria Cordes Larson. “I’m grateful to have the confidence of governor Healey and the board, and am eager to support their vision, leverage my expertise with the Authority, and help steer the ship through this critical time.” Larson currently serves on the board of Unum Group, as well as reacHIRE, a private company devoted to supporting women in the workplace. She also is a member of the boards of several national and regional non-profit organisations. Board chair Handy also named Board member Sheena Collier, CEO of Boston While Black and The Collier Connection, search committee chair. Collier will lead the process to appoint the MCCA’s next permanent executive director. The MCCA Board said it would share more information on the search at the January 2024 board meeting. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operations of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center and the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.