The Honorable Thomas M. Menino was the longest-serving mayor in Boston’s history. During his five-term administration, he forged partnerships to revitalize neighborhoods, reinvigorated the Boston Public Schools, and strengthened the economy through workforce investments and significant urban development initiatives. He was heralded as the “urban mechanic”, renowned for his commitment to the exceptional delivery of basic city services and technological innovation. A national leader on urban issues, he brought Boston to the forefront in sustainability and environmental awareness. In January 2014, he transitioned from elected office to his new role as Co-Director of the Initiative on Cities.
About Mayor for a New America
After twenty years of service, Mayor Thomas Menino is stepping down from his office as one of the longest-serving major-city mayors in United States history–and one of the most popular politicians in modern memory. His political career has stretched from the busing crisis of the 1970s to the city’s extraordinary response to the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013.
Menino tells exclusive behind-the-scenes stories of urban politics and provides inspiration for Washington with his proven, people-focused method: “Do the small stuff so you can win the credibility to do the big stuff.” He’s not known as a fancy talker, but he gets things done. Under his wing, the city has enjoyed unprecedented economic growth while fostering a new attitude of acceptance. Menino shows how a very old city shook off its Puritan roots and racial tensions to become a truly twenty-first-century city.
