| Welcome to the Department of Community Development About Our Office Page | ||
On behalf of my team, welcome to the Department of Community Development. From the Community Development Block Grant, the waterfront master plan, the management of Lynn’s Seaport Marina to a host of other small and large scale initiatives, our staff works on a myriad of projects. Our Mission Our mission revolves around effectively utilizing our time, energy and resources in planning, promoting, rehabilitating and enhancing the City of Lynn and its natural and manmade resources.What We Do We administer the federal community development block grant program, the Section 108 Loan program, expand housing opportunities, promote trade, industry and business development, and seek the funds necessary to carry out these objectives. |
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| James Marsh Community Development Director P. 781-586-6770 F. 781-477-7026 E. jmarsh@lynnma.gov |
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Mr. Marsh was appointed Community Development Director in September of 2008. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Massachusetts. Before coming to the Department of Community Development, he worked in the Massachusetts State Legislature and as the City’s Chief of Staff for thirteen years. He has taught at North Shore Community College and lives in Lynn with his family. |
| Daniela Chavez Financial Support P. 781-586-6767 F. 781-477-7026 E. rdchavez@lynnma.gov |
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Daniela is one of the newest members to the Department of Community Development team. Before coming to Community Development, she worked as a clerk for the Lynn Public School Department and North Shore Community College at the Student Support and Advising Center. She is a 2022 graduate of Salem State University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. Daniela is bilingual in English and Spanish. Daniela assists in overseeing all aspects of financial management for the department, Seaport Landing Marina, and Lynn Auditorium |
| Abdel Kawaf Community Support P. 781-586-6767 F. 781-477-7026 E. rakawaf@lynnma.gov |
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Abdel is one of the newest additions to the team. Throughout his career, Abdel worked in nonprofits in greater Boston, supporting refugees and immigrants to achieve self-sufficiency and economic prosperity. As he joined the City of Lynn in 2021, he assisted the Personnel Department in recruiting and onboarding diverse staff. In his current role, Abdel assists the Program Manager through the Summer Youth Program and supports community partners in complying with HUD policies. Abdel is bilingual in English and native Arabic. He is completing his Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution at the University of Massachusetts |
| AnnMarie Leonard Community Relations Manager P. 781-586-6764 F. 781-477-7026 E. aleonard@lynnma.gov |
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Before her recent retirement, Ann Marie Leonard worked for the Department of Community Development from its origin as Western Walnut through its metamorphosis, a span of over 34 years. Very shortly thereafter the City asked her back, part-time, to perform her valuable duties. She continues to work closely with the Lynn Police Department to bridge the gap between residents, businesses and the police in order to resolve conflicts and give voice to their concerns. She manages the Lynn Memorial Auditorium volunteers, solving problems and coordinating efforts to satisfy the concert attendees. She is still the central figure that brings the waterfront to life every Fourth of July; her pursuit of funding for the fireworks is thorough and relentless. Ann Marie’s dedication to “Quality of Life Issues” is exhibited in 24/7 availability and results-oriented behavior that is unmatched. |
| Richard Mageary Community Facilities Manager P. 781-586-8121 F. 781-586-8120 |
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Richard has been employed by the City of Lynn, Department of Community Development for over 20 years. His titled position is that of Project Manager which involves the field supervision of public projects as well as acting as Clerk of Works. Richard has an extensive background and a documented project history working with various governmental agencies both city and state, neighborhood groups as well as various community organizations. He has participated in the designer selection process, design development and construction build out of some of the City’s important and most visual community projects. Richard also acts as the Building Manager for the City run Multi-Service Center and the High Rock Tower Stone Cottage. |
| Joanna Mills Administrative Assistant / Special Events P. 781-586-6770 F. 781-477-7026 E. jmills@lynnma.gov |
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Joanna is the Administrative Assistant to the Development Director. She started employment in the Department of Community Development in 1994. She oversees the daily operations of the office and staff, greets incoming clients and customers, as well as many other special projects as needed. She also coordinates the volunteers of the City Hall Information Table. Joanna is a graduate of Salem State College and is married with two sons, Brian and Jonathan. |
| John Moberger Part Time Community Facilities Manager P. 781-586-6772 F. 781-477-7026 E. jmoberge@lynnma.gov |
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John has been working for the Department of Community Development for over 30 years. He is a graduate of Colby College and the Radcliffe Landscape Design Institute. He is responsible for all community facility projects, including park and playground renovations, downtown lighting and streetscape improvements, traffic island and tree planting programs as well as historic and structural building projects. Community Facilities starts at the grant writing stage and proceeds to specifications and plans, public bidding and managing construction. Long-term projects include High Rock Reservation consisting of the restoration of the Tower, site and historic Stone Cottage, Lynn Woods Reservation, Lynn Commons and the waterfront. |
| Allison Perry Project Operations Assistant P. 781-586-6763 F. 781-477-7026 E. aperry@lynnma.gov |
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Allison has worked for the Department of Community Development for 30 years. She is a 1992 graduate of Salem State College with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She provides administrative, project related and clerical support on community development projects such as the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER, as well as coordinating the Youth Assistance Program and the Summer Youth Employment Program. Safe Neighborhood Initiative Jobs for Youth Program. She also works on compliance of HUD regulations on matters such as environmental reporting and their national database of projects, IDIS. Allison is Secretary to the Citizens Advisory Board and works with the members on meetings and public hearings. Allison is married with two children, Ava and Zack. |
| Valerie Slepoy Financial Services Specialist P. 781-586-6776 F. 781-477-7026 E. vslepoy@lynnma.gov |
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Valerie is the Financial Office Manager for the Department of Community Development. In this role, Valerie looks after and coordinates all aspects of the financial responsibilities for the Department and also for the Seaport Landing Marina. She has been with the Department for 38 years. Prior to becoming the Financial Office Manager, Valerie started out as a Co-Op Student from the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute in 1981. She was employed as a Xerox Specialist, Financial Clerk and a Financial Services Specialist before becoming the Financial Office Manager in 2003. |
| Donald Walker Project Operations Manager P. 781-586-6778 E. dwalker@lynnma.gov |
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Don began his tenure at Department of Community Development as an employee in the summer of 1983. He received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University in 1991 and is currently the department’s Director of Project Operations. In this capacity he is responsible for the implementation of the City’s Entitlement Grant Programs funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including the City’s compliance with applicable state and federal guidelines and regulations. He assists the Development Director on various economic and community development initiatives and prepares public grant applications to leverage funding for these activities. He also participates in the operational management of the Lynn Multi-Service Center and the Seaport Landing Marina on behalf of the City. |
| Rich Avery Reproduction Clerk P. 781-586-6767 F. 781-477-7026 E. ravery@lynnma.gov |
Rich began working for the Department of Community Development in the fall of 2016. He oversees the operation and scheduling of both Manning and Fraser Fields, which are active athletic and community facilities from March to November. Rich provides administrative and supervisory support to the Lynn Summer Youth Jobs program. He also coordinates the City Traffic Island Beautification Program and the City Flower Barrel Program. | |
