Current National Guard member and local lobbyist chosen as newest Executive Director
The Executive Committee of the National Guard Association of Massachusetts (NGAMA) recently voted to hire Matthew McKenna of Tenax Strategies as their new Executive Director. Matthew replaces former State Representative Augie Grace who held the role for 18 of the last 20 years.
“We are excited to have Matthew joining our team at NGAMA,” said President Amanda Tefft. “Matthew’s military background and his civilian experience in the Massachusetts Legislature, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, and as a private sector lobbyist made him an ideal candidate for the role. Additionally, Matthew brings knowledge of association management, and non-profit board and fundraising experience that will provide tremendous value to NGAMA moving forward.”
Matthew McKenna, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, is a 23-year member of the Army National Guard and recently transferred to Massachusetts from the Connecticut Army National Guard. He holds the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 and is currently assigned to A Co 3-126 AVN based at Joint Base Cape Cod as an Instructor Pilot in the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. A lifelong Boston area native, Matthew has spent his 20-year civilian career in Massachusetts in various political and governmental roles.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Matthew on as the Executive Director of NGAMA,” said Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “NGAMA has been instrumental in bringing much needed legislative assistance to the Massachusetts National Guard’s readiness initiatives. Having an executive director with Matthew’s military and civilian experience in place to advocate on our behalf will help ensure our ability to meet the complex needs of the Commonwealth and the Nation.”
“I am thankful for the opportunity to join NGAMA as their new Executive Director,” said Matthew McKenna. “The National Guard has been a part of my family dating back prior to World War II. The Army National Guard has provided me tremendous opportunities both personally and professionally and I look forward to playing a more active role in ensuring that the Commonwealth and the Nation are providing our citizen soldiers with the most comprehensive resources and benefits possible well into the future.”
The National Guard Association of Massachusetts exists as the only organization solely dedicated to advocating for the Massachusetts National Guard community on Beacon and Capitol Hill in order to ensure that citizen soldiers have the proper resources and benefits to fight and defend our nation.