Thatcher W. Kezer

Kezer named Framingham's first chief operating officer March 6, 20918

Jim Haddadin 617-863-7144 Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM - A retired Massachusetts Air National Guard lieutenant colonel with experience in the public sector will serve as Mayor Yvonne Spicer's second-in-command.
Spicer announced Tuesday that she hired Thatcher W. Kezer III as her chief operating officer.
Kezer's resume includes 25 years working in government, including two terms as the mayor of Amesbury, according to the mayor's announcement. He will start in Framingham April 2, filling an important role in Spicer's administration.
"Mr. Kezer brings an extensive history in the public, private and non-profit sectors that will contribute to Framingham's success moving forward through the transition into the city form of governance," Spicer said in the announcement.
Kezer served as Amesbury's mayor from 2006 until 2013, when he lost a re-election bid to political newcomer Ken Gray by three votes.
Touting his accomplishments in office, Kezer said previously that his administration secured more than $46 million in state- and federally-funded construction projects in Amesbury during his eight years as mayor. He also pointed to successes improving the city's bond rating, regionalizing municipal services and negotiating agreements that lowered operating costs.
Kezer's past experience also includes working for the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts, and as director of purchasing and contract administration for the city of Beverly, according to the mayor's announcement.
As a senior vice president for MassDevelopment, the state's economic development and finance agency, Kezer also worked on the redevelopment of Fort Devens in Ayer and Shirley. The site, once the U.S. Army's New England headquarters, was transformed over the last two decades into a 4,400-acre mixed-use community, with 100 businesses and organizations that collectively employ more than 4,000 workers, according to MassDevelopment.
Kezer also served in the U.S. Air Force, and recently retired as an Air National Guard lieutenant colonel.
Newly-elected School Committee Chairman Adam Freudberg commended Spicer Tuesday for tapping Kezer for the job, calling him a skilled municipal manager with a proven record of success.
"With Thatcher's new role as our COO, I expect we will all continuously see a manager who tackles each challenge or opportunity in a productive, respectful, and common sense fashion to simply get the job done," said Freudberg, who works as a senior adviser at Hanscom Air Force Base, and has known Kezer in his past roles at MassDevelopment, in the Air National Guard and as Amesbury mayor.
"At this historic time in Framingham's history I am extremely confident in his ability to support Mayor Spicer and city government," Freudberg said.
As Framingham's first chief operating officer, Kezer will fulfill a key role, according to the mayor, providing "oversight and leadership in our day to day operations." The charter provides that the COO shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and shall be appointed on the basis of "strong administrative and executive qualifications or other qualifications and shall be especially fitted by education, training and municipal experience to perform the duties of the office."
Kezer was one of 27 people who applied for the job. Seven of the most promising candidates were interviewed by the mayor, as well as former Town Manager Robert Halpin, Director of Human Resources Dolores Hamilton and Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administration and Finance Mary Ellen Kelley.
The COO position was advertised with an annual salary of $131,475 to $151,697. During his first three months on the job, Kezer will be paid at a weekly rate equivalent to an annual salary of $144,897. He will then be eligible for a 3 percent increase in July based on the results of a progress review, potentially bringing his salary for the next fiscal year to about $149,244.
Kezer will receive the same benefits package available to all full-time, non-union employees, including health insurance coverage and four weeks of vacation per year. Like other senior managers, he will be eligible for annual raises based on job performance.
"I am excited to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the City of Framingham and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to add Framingham to the list of great cities to live, work and visit," Kezer said in the city's announcement. "I am grateful for the opportunity Mayor Spicer is providing me."

Kezer named Framingham's first chief operating officer	March 6, 20918
Jim Haddadin 617-863-7144	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM - A retired Massachusetts Air National Guard lieutenant colonel with experience in the public sector will serve as Mayor Yvonne Spicer's second-in-command. Spicer announced Tuesday that she hired Thatcher W. Kezer III as her chief operating officer. Kezer's resume includes 25 years working in government, including two terms as the mayor of Amesbury, according to the mayor's announcement. He will start in Framingham April 2, filling an important role in Spicer's administration. "Mr. Kezer brings an extensive history in the public, private and non-profit sectors that will contribute to Framingham's success moving forward through the transition into the city form of governance," Spicer said in the announcement. Kezer served as Amesbury's mayor from 2006 until 2013, when he lost a re-election bid to political newcomer Ken Gray by three votes. Touting his accomplishments in office, Kezer said previously that his administration secured more than $46 million in state- and federally-funded construction projects in Amesbury during his eight years as mayor. He also pointed to successes improving the city's bond rating, regionalizing municipal services and negotiating agreements that lowered operating costs. Kezer's past experience also includes working for the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts, and as director of purchasing and contract administration for the city of Beverly, according to the mayor's announcement. As a senior vice president for MassDevelopment, the state's economic development and finance agency, Kezer also worked on the redevelopment of Fort Devens in Ayer and Shirley. The site, once the U.S. Army's New England headquarters, was transformed over the last two decades into a 4,400-acre mixed-use community, with 100 businesses and organizations that collectively employ more than 4,000 workers, according to MassDevelopment. Kezer also served in the U.S. Air Force, and recently retired as an Air National Guard lieutenant colonel. Newly-elected School Committee Chairman Adam Freudberg commended Spicer Tuesday for tapping Kezer for the job, calling him a skilled municipal manager with a proven record of success. "With Thatcher's new role as our COO, I expect we will all continuously see a manager who tackles each challenge or opportunity in a productive, respectful, and common sense fashion to simply get the job done," said Freudberg, who works as a senior adviser at Hanscom Air Force Base, and has known Kezer in his past roles at MassDevelopment, in the Air National Guard and as Amesbury mayor. "At this historic time in Framingham's history I am extremely confident in his ability to support Mayor Spicer and city government," Freudberg said. As Framingham's first chief operating officer, Kezer will fulfill a key role, according to the mayor, providing "oversight and leadership in our day to day operations." The charter provides that the COO shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and shall be appointed on the basis of "strong administrative and executive qualifications or other qualifications and shall be especially fitted by education, training and municipal experience to perform the duties of the office." Kezer was one of 27 people who applied for the job. Seven of the most promising candidates were interviewed by the mayor, as well as former Town Manager Robert Halpin, Director of Human Resources Dolores Hamilton and Chief Financial Officer/Director of Administration and Finance Mary Ellen Kelley. The COO position was advertised with an annual salary of $131,475 to $151,697. During his first three months on the job, Kezer will be paid at a weekly rate equivalent to an annual salary of $144,897. He will then be eligible for a 3 percent increase in July based on the results of a progress review, potentially bringing his salary for the next fiscal year to about $149,244. Kezer will receive the same benefits package available to all full-time, non-union employees, including health insurance coverage and four weeks of vacation per year. Like other senior managers, he will be eligible for annual raises based on job performance. "I am excited to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the City of Framingham and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to add Framingham to the list of great cities to live, work and visit," Kezer said in the city's announcement. "I am grateful for the opportunity Mayor Spicer is providing me."

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