Richard Shafer
Title: Economic and Industrial Development Director; Executive Director
Company: Office of Economic and Community Development, City of Taunton; Taunton Development Corporation
Location: Taunton, Mass. 02780
Birthplace and year: Cincinnati, Ohio - 1947
Family: Wife, Roberta; and daughter Susanna (immigration attorney)
College: Graduate of the University of Kentucky - BA in Sociology/Business
First job in current field: Executive director - City of Taunton Industrial Development Commission and the Taunton Development Corporation since 1987
What your firm does now and its plans for the future: Citywide economic and industrial development including assisting the Taunton Development Corp. in the development, marketing and management of 807 acre Myles Standish Industrial Park and the new 350 acre Liberty and Union Industrial Park. Currently working with the Weir Corporation on the changeover of the Weir Industrial area to multi-use and the same with the Whittenton Neightorhood mill owners. Working with Heart of Taunton on downtown redevelopment and historic preservation.
Hobbies: Technical assistance to revitalization and neighborhood development groups, travel, music and theater, Taunton River Watershed activities, and sports
Person you admire (outside of family): Entrepreneurs (especially small business owners)
Keys to success: A positive attitude and persistence
If you had to choose another profession, what would it be? Human resource management and development