Windsor has a new economic development director as of Monday, when Patrick McMahon – who has worked as an economic development associate for the town for months – stepped into the shoes of recently retired director Jim Burke.
McMahon has a long career in planning and development in Windsor and other areas. His new job starts with a $125,000 yearly salary.
McMahon, a Windsor native, said the town has scored many economic development wins — and has room for additional growth — along its Day Hill Road corridor. He is also focused on the mixed-use Wilson neighborhood and transit-oriented development in the downtown.
“I’ve tried to be a leader in the state in economic development,” McMahon said, noting he is a past president of the Connecticut Economic Development Association. “I have a fairly robust network and I want to continue to use that network to enhance my hometown.”
Burke, 72, served as Windsor’s economic development director for 21 years.
“It’s really time to let someone else do this work, especially someone like Patrick, who has done so well and is ready to go,” Burke said.
Burke served as economic development director for about 21 years, coming to the town following more than two decades as economic development director for Dubuque, Iowa. Burke said Windsor has seen about $900 million in economic development activity during his service. He is especially proud of the 130-unit Windsor Station Apartments and 50-condo First Town Square development, both near the town center.
Burke also recalled the construction of a distribution center for Walgreens, a company he said has lived up to a commitment to hire disabled individuals for at least 40 percent of its workforce.
McMahon is no stranger to WIndsor Town Hall. It is where McMahon began his professional life 25 years ago, after earning a law degree and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Connecticut. During his first five years with Windsor, McMahon rose to become the town’s community development coordinator.
McMahon next went to work for Suffield as its economic and community development director. Amid McMahon’s 15-year run in Suffield, he also worked as a consultant for Windsor Locks, focused on downtown revitalization. After that, McMahon spent four years as CEO of the Connecticut Main Street Center, a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization of downtown centers.
Most recently, McMahon spent seven months working as an economic development associate for Windsor, managing small business grants using federal American Rescue Plan Act money. McMahon was appointed to fill Burke’s shoes by Town Manager Peter Souza.
Souza praised Burke’s passion for Windsor and his role in shepherding developments over the course of two decades.
Souza also touted McMahon’s “deep understanding” of economic and community development, as well as his extensive network of development contacts.
“His firsthand knowledge of the Windsor community and organization will serve the town well,” Souza said.
