After a nearly 40-year career as a planning and economic development professional that included over four years serving as the city of Pawtucket’s commerce director, Jeanne Boyle is retiring. She will serve as commerce director until mid-November.

It has been an honor working with Jeanne, a very dedicated and talented city official who helped to guide the city’s economic development efforts, administered economic and job creation programs, and assisted in the attraction of new businesses and retention of existing businesses. Jeanne also serves as the executive director of the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency.

When I hired Jeanne, we were extremely impressed by her experience and knowledge of statewide economic development priorities and excited to have her on the team. A graduate of Williams College and the New York University Graduate School of Public Administration, she also was a student in the Harvard Kennedy School’s executive education program. She served on numerous professional boards and committees and is a recipient of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council’s 2014 Robert M. Goodrich Public Service Award and Rhode Island-American Planning Association’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

Jeanne’s background and experience were great assets to my administration as we completed a number of initiatives. She has most certainly left a legacy as the city’s first commerce director. During her time with the city she has worked on many projects including the Tidewater Landing Project, the Downtown Pawtucket “Super TIF” legislation and the Conant Thread TOD and Transit Hub which are destined to shape the future of Pawtucket.

Through the commerce department and her leadership, the city also demonstrated its resourcefulness and resilience during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting our small businesses with the Pawtucket Business Development Corp. (PBDC) COVID-19 Relief Loan Program.

Jeanne, you’ve had a long and successful professional career and have ably served the residents of Pawtucket. Please enjoy your well-deserved retirement with your family and friends. Thank you for your work with our community.

Donald Grebien is the mayor of city of Pawtucket, R.I.