Newton Needham Chamber Names New President

The Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce announced this week it has selected Robert Halpin as its next president.

According to a press release issued this week, Halpin served as the first President/CEO of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council and has worked as a town manager in both Westford and North Andover. 

“I am excited to be joining a business community as rich and diverse as that represented by the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce.  I look forward to using my unique skills and experience to work with the Chamber membership and leaders in both communities to create a favorable climate for community growth and business success based on collaboration and strong public private partnerships,” Halpin said in the press release.

Prior to Halpin's appointment, Bonnie Carey acted as the chamber's interim president.

According to the release, Halpin will oversee the chamber's Board of Directors and day-to-day operations all while helping support the businesses of Newton and Needham.

Halpin has served for 23 years as some form of local government manager, the release said, and while he was at the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Halpin played an important role in developing the I-93 Tri-Town Interchange Project.

He holds master's degree in public administration from Suffolk University and a bachelor's degree in community planning and management from UMass Boston. 

"Bob Halpin is recognized within Massachusetts and New England as an experienced, energetic and entrepreneurial organizational leader with a reputation for connecting people, ideas and resources to confront problems and seize new opportunities," the press release said.

Halpin, who currently lives in Concord, is a corporator at Emerson Hospital in Concord as well as a volunteer adaptive ski instructor with New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Adaptive Snow Sports, the release said.