Edward Augustus (politician)

Edward Augustus
Official portrait, 2023
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 15, 2023
Preceded byPosition established
City Manager of Worcester
In office
2014–2022
Preceded byMichael V. O'Brien
Succeeded byEric Batista
Member of the Massachusetts Senate
from the 2nd Worcester district
In office
January 2005 – January 2009
Preceded byGuy Glodis
Succeeded byMichael O. Moore
Personal details
Born (1965-03-31) March 31, 1965 (age 59)
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materSuffolk University
Johns Hopkins University

Edward M. Augustus Jr. (born March 31, 1965) is an American politician and administrator who is the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. He was the City Manager of Worcester, Massachusetts from 2014 to 2022 and was a member of the Massachusetts Senate.[1]

Early life

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Born at Worcester City Hospital to Edward Augustus Sr. (a machinist) and Dolores (a bank teller), Augustus graduated from St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts in 1983.[2] He went on to Suffolk University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and then received a Master of Arts from Johns Hopkins University in Political Science.[3]

Career

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Augustus in 2005

From 1989 to 1993, Augustus served as a member of the Worcester Public Schools School Committee.[3]

After helping to elect Jim McGovern to the United States House of Representatives, Augustus worked in Washington D.C. as Chief of Staff for McGovern. From 2005 to 2009, Augustus represented the 2nd Worcester district in the Massachusetts Senate. After leaving the state senate, Augustus served as executive director of the Children's Defense Fund of California. He left this position in 2010 to run McGovern's re-election campaign. After the election, Augustus became Director of Government and Community Relations at the College of the Holy Cross.[4]

On December 3, 2013, Augustus was named City Manager of Worcester, Massachusetts. Augustus took over as city manager in January 2014. He initially planned to serve for nine months, while on a leave of absence from the college, but accepted a three-year contract extension on September 30, 2014.[4][5] During his tenure, the city completed a number of infrastructure projects, including the replacement of downtown streets and sidewalks, and spent $160 million to construct Polar Park.[6] On March 22, 2022, Augustus announced that he would be stepping down from his post as City Manager in May 2022.[7]

On June 1, 2022, Augustus was named the first Chancellor of Dean College.[8] In 2023, Augustus was appointed the inaugural secretary of Housing and Livable Communities by Governor Maura Healey.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Augustus Jr., Edward M. (2 January 2009). "Senator thanks constituents, says goodbye". Community Advocate. Worcester, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  2. ^ "Augustus hopes to maintain city's momentum".
  3. ^ a b Public officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2005-2006.
  4. ^ a b Hill, John F. (December 3, 2013). "Former state Sen. Ed Augustus named Worcester city manager, won't seek permanent role". MassLive.com. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  5. ^ Corcoran, Lindsay (October 1, 2014). "Worcester City Council finalizes contract with City Manager Ed Augustus". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Bombard, Noah (May 15, 2023). "Former Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. appointed new housing head by Gov. Healey". MassLive. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, others react to departure of city manager Edward Augustus Jr". 22 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Kenneth Elmore Named 14th President of Dean College". 1 June 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
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