Daley named new Westmass CEO

Chicopee, MA According to the Westmass Area Development Corp. (Westmass), Jeff Daley has been named the new CEO of the private nonprofit development entity. Daley was chosen as the result of a search process conducted by the Westmass board and has over 15 years of experience in the real estate development arena. 

Daley is the former executive director of the Westfield Redevelopment Authority and most recently served as the principal of CJC Development Advisors LLC. Daley’s portfolio includes overseeing $60 million in commercial and industrial development and managing $34 million in public development projects. 

As CEO, Daley will be responsible for management of Westmass and will be responsible for negotiating acquisitions, land sales, leases and incentive proposals and grant applications as well as marketing Westmass’ resources and development services to organizations and businesses considering investment in the region. Daley will also enhance Westmass’ offerings regarding development services to communities throughout the region to assist with economic development and real estate development opportunities. 

In his new position, Daley will also evaluate opportunities for new industrial park development and land acquisition and coordinate federal, state and local economic development grants and resources. Daley replaces interim CEO Bryan Nicholas who served after the sudden passing of former CEO Eric Nelson who was appointed in 2016.

Carol Campbell, of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Inc. who serves as Chair of the Westmass Board, said about the selection of Daley, “I know I speak on behalf of the search committee and the Westmass Board of Directors in saying we are very pleased to have Jeff join our team.  He possesses the skills we need at this time to continue to advance the organization.  Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in real estate and development and will complement the services and resources offered by the Westmass team. I also want to extend my thanks to Bryan Nicholas who steered the organization as Interim CEO following the passing of our former CEO Eric Nelson.” 

Daley will also be responsible for the continued development of one of Westmass Development’s signature projects, the Ludlow Mills complex. Most recently, Westmass announced the addition of MassWorks grant funding secured by State Representative Thomas Petrolati and a Economic Development Administration Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce supported by Congressman Neal. Those funds will be utilized for the construction of Riverside Drive at the rear of the complex, making the development accessible to substantially more development. The site includes 75 Winn Development apartments in Mill #10 for those over 55 years of age and is host to the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts.

The search committee was assisted in the identifying a new leader by United Personnel and co-chaired by Carol Campbell, President, Chicopee Industrial Contractors Antonio Dos Santos, Esq. Crear, Chadwell, Dos Santos & Devlin, P.C. The search committee consisted of Michael Bolton, President/CEO, Westover Airport; Dan Burack, President, Burack Realty Corporation; Sister Mary Caritas, Providence Place; AJ Crane, Owner/Partner, AJ Crane Company; Matt D’Amour, Vice President of Real Estate, Big Y Foods, Inc.; Amy Glynn, Senior Director of Executive Communications/Executive Director of the Springfield-UMass Amherst Partnership, UMass-Amherst; Michael Moran, President & CAO, Baystate Health Eastern Region; Tripp Peake, General Partner, Long River Ventures; Steven Roberts, Former President, FL Roberts, Co.

Daley lives in Westfield with his wife and three children.