MassDTIs Macdonald to Leave Post as Head of Regions Defense Voice

For Immediate Release
December 12, 2007
Contact: Cort Boulanger (339) 222-2442

Waltham - Mass. Defense Technology Initiative (MassDTI) today announced that its founding executive director, Alan J. Macdonald, will step down at the end of the year as head of the region’s leading defense technology trade association for an executive position at South Shore Hospital. 

The announcement was made today by MassDTI’s Chairman, Steve Jamison, Vice President and General Manager of BAE Systems, who will oversee MassDTI’s ongoing initiatives until the transition to Macdonald’s replacement is concluded.  Jamison has tapped one of his top BAE executives, Suzanne Daniels, to support the daily operations of MassDTI through the transition period.

Macdonald managed the daily operations of the state’s defense trade association since its establishment as a permanent, results-oriented initiative by the Massachusetts High Technology Council, Inc. in March 2006.

From 2003-2006, Macdonald served as MassDTI’s executive director in its previous incarnation as the public-private partnership that successfully prevented the closure of key Massachusetts military facilities – specifically Hanscom Air Force Base and the Natick Army Soldier Systems Center.

 “Under Al’s leadership, MassDTI has grown into a dynamic organization that not only fosters growth in one of the state’s most critical economic sectors but has also changed the culture for how the military is perceived in New England,” said Jamison.  “Certainly, we all owe Al a debt of gratitude for his crucial role in the efforts to save Hanscom and Natick, and for creating the foundation for future growth of our region’s defense technology cluster.”

Macdonald, a Hingham resident, noted that leaving DTI after nearly five years was bittersweet, but his new opportunity as Director of Public Policy at South Shore Hospital would hold new challenges in the health care field and keep him closer to his young family.

“I am proud of MassDTI’s success in establishing a foundation for the strategic and collaborative support of the regional defense sector,” said Macdonald. “While there are several exciting initiatives coming together right now, the opportunity to take a leadership position at a high quality healthcare provider that plays such an important role in my community - and even in my family - is the right choice for me both professionally and personally.”

Macdonald noted that in 18 months, MassDTI has grown into an organization that represents large defense contractors, universities, research labs and small businesses.  He thanked the support of his members, as well as leaders in state and federal government and military officials at the bases and in the Pentagon.

Some of MassDTI’s post-BRAC accomplishments include:

• Natick Science & Technology Board/Regional Collaboration Alliance – Created advisory board of military, industry and academic leaders to create strong alliances between Natick SSC and the area’s defense technology cluster;
• Defense Workforce Project -  A program initiated in 2006 to foster industry-academic partnerships to create the defense technology workforce of the future;
• Natick Technology Exchange project: Won a $600,000 grant from the Mass. Technology Collaborative to develop a strategy to assist with Natick’s deployment of technology;
• MA Cyber Center of Excellence proposal – Helped organize the state’s technology and research assets (particularly those connected to Hanscom AFB) to compete for the state’s share of the Air Force’s $1 billion-plus cyber-security center;

Christopher Anderson, president of the Mass. High Tech Council and MassDTI expressed appreciation for Al’s role in coordinating the resources to help achieve important results in the post-BRAC period of MassDTI.  “Al Macdonald was a key player throughout Massachusetts’ successful BRAC process and his tenure at MassDTI has been highly effective.  MassDTI will continue to advance the region’s defense sector initiatives and pursue high-impact defense projects for Massachusetts and New England.”

The Massachusetts Defense Technology Initiative (MassDTI) represents leading technology employers, research facilities and universities working to make Massachusetts the global defense technology leader.  With strong working relationships with the state’s top technical military facilities - Hanscom Air Force Base and the Natick Soldier Systems Center - and an active presence in Washington DC and on Beacon Hill, MassDTI is working to create jobs and economic opportunities for its members.  To learn more visit www.massdti.com.

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