19 Facts About Jay Ash

Jay Ash previously served as City Manager of Chelsea, Massachusetts.

Jay Ash's father was a truck driver, and his mother was a homemaker.

Jay Ash's parents divorced when he was ten and Ash lived with his mother.

Jay Ash graduated from Chelsea High School in 1979, where he was captain of the school's basketball team and a member of its track and cross-country teams.

Jay Ash then attended Clark University where he was captain of the basketball team.

Jay Ash graduated from Clark in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in government.

From 1991 to 1996 Ash served as Voke's staff director, who was then the House Majority Leader.

Jay Ash then accepted an offer to become Chelsea's Executive Director of Planning and Development.

Jay Ash's opponents cited his relationship with Voke, who had been investigated by the United States Attorney's office for corruption, his reluctance to commit to reside in the city, and his lack of a master's degree in administration or planning as reasons for the opposition.

Jay Ash's supporters noted the progress the city had made during his time as Executive Director of Planning and Development.

Jay Ash worked to connect Chelsea to the MBTA's Silver Line bus service.

Jay Ash was one of many local officials who successfully lobbied the state government to expand its gambling laws to allow for casinos.

Jay Ash was a supporter of the city's large immigrant community.

Jay Ash issued permits for pro-immigration marches and greeted demonstrators when they marched past City Hall, supported the City Council's decision to declare Chelsea a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, and welcomed migrant children to the city during the 2014 American immigration crisis.

Also while Ash was in office, the Executive Director of the Chelsea Housing Authority, Michael E McLaughlin, pleaded guilty to four felonies.

Shortly after he won the 2014 Massachusetts gubernatorial election, Charlie Baker announced that Jay Ash would serve as his Secretary of Housing and Economic Development.

Jay Ash's appointment was the first announced by Baker, who hoped that his selection of the Democrat would show his commitment to bipartisanship.

Jay Ash stepped down as Chelsea City Manager on December 19,2014 and was sworn in by Baker on January 8,2015, shortly after Baker's own inauguration.

Jay Ash was replaced by Mike Kennealy on January 2,2019.