Nixon awarded professional certification at STAM Annual Meeting

David Nixon

The Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts awarded retiring Hadley Town Administrator David Nixon with its professional certification pin during the group’s virtual Annual Meeting on Nov. 5.

Outgoing STAM Chair Andrea Llamas noted that Nixon not only served the communities he worked in throughout his career, but also served as a former leader of STAM.

“I think we all agree that David has been an invaluable resource due to his wealth of knowledge and his unwavering support of his peers, and STAM,” said Llamas, the town administrator in Northfield. “He has always been a reliable colleague who we will sorely miss for his timeless advice and wry wit.”

During the meeting, Weston Town Manager Leon Gaumond and Deerfield Town Administrator Kayce Warren lauded Nixon’s mentorship skills and willingness to assist those who were new to public administration.

In addition to his roles in Hadley and previously in Deerfield, Nixon was active with the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and the MMA, where he served for four years on the Board of Directors. He said he plans to remain active on the Management Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and potentially in interim administrator roles while exploring more creative avenues during retirement.

STAM also announced its elected slate of officers for the coming year:
• Chair: Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski
• Vice Chair: Granville Town Administrator Matthew Streeter
• Treasurer: Lanesborough Town Administrator Kelli Robbins
• Secretary: Erving Town Administrator Bryan Smith

Llamas was recognized for her decade of service leading STAM, where she worked to advance its professional certification procedures and its standing as a leading voice for chief administrative officers in communities with fewer than 12,000 residents.

The STAM Annual Meeting included programs by Allan Marsh from MIIA’s All-One employee assistance program, and Raine Brown of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, who offered guidance and tips for managing stress so that administrators are better prepared to lead their organizations during turbulent times.

STAM is a professional association of municipal administrators from nearly 100 communities across the Commonwealth.

Written by Shaun Suhoski