Page 24 - BusinessWest August 31, 2020

James Leahy
Assistant Director of Business Development and Promotion Sales, Massachusetts State Lottery; Holyoke City Councilor
This City Leader Has Always Been an Ambassador — and Ja Connector
an alum), as well as Holyoke’s famous merry-go-round.
And recently, he started and still maintains the Hello Holyoke Commu- nity Forum.
He does all this while keeping a day job as assistant director of Business Development and Promotion Sales for the Massachusetts State Lottery, a posi- tion that requires him to rotate between offices in Springfield and Worcester.
When asked how he finds time for all this, Leahy, who is often described as an ambassador for the city and a ‘con- nector’ for people looking for help with a problem or issue, gave an answer that speaks volumes about why, a decade after earning his 40 Under Forty plaque, he is a finalist for the coveted Alumni Achievement Award.
“I find the time,” he said. “But more
importantly, I find the right amount of James Leahy, seen outside City Hall, has become involved a wide array of
Holyoke institutions.
ames Leahy joked that being an at-large city councilor is not a reference to his size.
The six-foot, four-inch Leahy has had a
lot of experience retelling that one-liner — more than 20 years worth, actually. Indeed, he was first elected to that body in 1999, when he was only 26, after a run very much inspired by his father (more on that later).
He admits to not expecting to spend two decades in that post, but he has, and in the meantime, he has become involved in, well ...
all things Holyoke, or almost all things. Indeed, he has devoted considerable time, energy, and expertise to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and also been involved with everything from the Holyoke YMCA to the Volleyball Hall of Fame; from the Holyoke Children’s Museum to the Westfield State University board of trustees (he’s
time. One of my strong suits is orga-
nizational skills, and I try to teach my
children that. I think some of them have it, and some of them don’t. I tell them that they have to put the right amount of quality time into what- ever they’re doing. If I can’t give 100%, then I’m not doing it.”
Suffice it to say he’s given 100% to Holyoke, and to ascertain how and why that is, we return the subject of Lea-
hy’s father, Thomas,
who emigrated to
Leahy
Continued on page 26
Women of IMPACT
A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
Nominations are now
being accepted!
Nomination Deadline: Sept. 4, 2020
BusinessWest has created the Women of Impact awards to celebrate and recognize the successes and achievements of women from all industries and professions in western Mass.
Nomination information & requirements are available at: http://businesswest.com/women-of-impact/
3rd Annual
Women of Impact Awards
Sponsorship Opportunities Available.
Call 413.781.8600
1441 Main Street Springfield, MA 01103 413-781-8600 • www.BusinessWest.com
Presenting Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsor: Media Sponsor:
24 AUGUST 31, 2020
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BusinessWest
Staff Photo