Philip Johnston has been named as chairman of the board of the UMASS Building Authority (UMBA).
"Phil has been such an advocate for UMASS for so many years, and I can think of no better chairman," said former chairman Bob Sheridan. Sheridan served three terms as chairman of the UMASS Building Authority and oversaw millions in new construction projects, including the $80 million, Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center at UMASS Lowell. "I am thrilled to be able to pass the torch to him."
"I'm honored to have been elected as chairman of the board of UMASS Building Authority and continue in the fine tradition of Bob Sheridan and the work he has done," said Phil Johnston. "It is so exciting to work with such a tremendous group of people and to be a part of the amazing projects happening across all five of our campuses."
With over 30 years of experience in the public sector - including serving in the Mass. state legislature as well as the Federal Cabinet - Johnston is president and CEO of Boston-based Johnston Associates, a public affairs firm he founded in 1996.
From 1984 to 1991, Johnston served as the Mass. secretary of Human Services under governor Michael Dukakis, after serving five consecutive terms as state representative. In 1992, President Bill Clinton appointed him as the New England Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a role he held until 1996 when he became a Congressional candidate for Mass.' 10th District.
Having twice been elected chair of the Mass. Democratic Party, Johnston was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009 to serve on the Commission of White House Fellows. As a board trustee of the University of Mass., he chaired the University of Mass. Medical School search committee for chancellorship. He most recently served as search committee chair of the University of Mass. Amherst chancellorship.
In addition to serving on the board of the University of Mass., Johnston is the chair of the board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. Foundation and the Mass. Health Policy Forum. He also sits on the boards of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, the Mass. Medicaid Policy Institute, the Carroll Center for the Blind, and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. In 2012, Johnston was appointed to the advisory board of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also the founder of the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps, one of the top juvenile justice and social services agencies in the country.
"The board has done an exceptional job selecting Phil as our new chairman," said Katherine Craven, executive director of UMBA. "We look forward to working with such a charismatic leader and dedicated public servant as Phil Johnston."
"Given the many services that he was already providing to the University, I appreciate Phil Johnston's willingness to take on this new leadership role at the UMASS Building Authority, which is critical for the continued success across all five campuses" UMASS president Robert Caret said. "I know this Phil Johnston will discharge his new duties with diligence and skill, and with the special passion that a graduate brings to serving his or her alma mater."
"I also want to thank Bob Sheridan for the leadership he provided and for his outstanding service both to the UMASS Building Authority and the UMASS board of trustees. Bob is widely known for his many community involvements and has played a key role during this era of transformation and growth at the University of Mass.," Caret said.
Johnston of Marshfield, received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UMASS Amherst and a Master of Arts Degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.