LYNN ― Mayor Thomas M. McGee was honored Thursday morning with an award that recognizes elected officials for demonstrating superior leadership in gateway cities.
McGee was presented with the Mayor Bill Carpenter Award for Excellence in Gateway City Leadership during the ninth annual MassINC Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards and Summit, which was held via Zoom.
The award is presented to an elected official who seeks out new ideas and works collaboratively to advance them, elevating the status of their city, and furthering the collective interests of gateway cities throughout the commonwealth, according to information provided by MassINC, a nonprofit think tank that works on developing and promoting a thriving middle class in the state.
McGee, who is not seeking reelection, was recognized for his work throughout his past four years as mayor and during his lengthy tenure in the state Senate. Before becoming mayor in 2018, McGee spent 22 years on Beacon Hill; he was elected to the state Senate in 2002 after serving four terms in the House of Representatives.
“It’s not often in this job that you get a chance to reflect on your accomplishments,” said McGee Thursday while accepting the award. “It’s been an honor of a lifetime and I hope I have made the people of Lynn proud with all that I have done.”
MassINC chose to recognize McGee, former chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, for improving transportation during his time in the Senate, and for his efforts as the city’s mayor to stimulate economic growth and housing production.
“Mayor McGee was selected for his years of unwavering service to Lynn,” said Juana Matias, chief operating officer of MassINC.
A video MassINC compiled to commemorate McGee’s accomplishments featured remarks from state Sen. Branden Crighton (D-Lynn), who succeeded McGee when he became mayor; Dan Rivera, former mayor of Lowell and president and CEO of MassDevelopment; Bob Rivers, the CEO of Eastern Bank; Jay Ash, former state secretary and of housing and economic development and current president and CEO of Massachusetts Competitive Partnership; and McGee’s chief of staff, Meaghan Hamill.
In his closing remarks, McGee thanked everyone for the tribute video, and said that he was extremely proud to have been able to make significant contributions to his hometown.
“I’m so honored, and in many ways, at a loss for words,” said McGee. “I look forward to, in the future, being involved and being able to advocate for the things that are important to me and important to all of us in this great organization.”
