Staff of the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership

To promote economic vitality and sustain natural resources while enhancing the quality of life in the 495/MetroWest region.

200 Friberg Parkway Westborough, MA 01581 Tel (774) 760-0495 Fax (774) 760-0017 info@arc-of-innovation.org

Paul F. Matthews Phone: (774) 760-0495 ext. 105
Executive Director Email: paul@arc-of-innovation.org
Before being appointed Executive Director in the summer of 2005, Mr. Matthews had been serving since January 2004 as the Partnership's Public Affairs Program Manager. In that capacity, he directed the Partnership's advocacy activities, communications strategies, and public affairs; served as a liaison to municipal officials, regional employers, legislators, and state agencies; and coordinated initiatives on transportation, water resources, public policy, economic development, brownfields, permitting, and workforce development.
Mr. Matthews came to the Partnership with extensive experience in public policy, government affairs, communication, and municipal issues. From 2000 to 2003, he served as the Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he worked with legislative, municipal, and business leaders from across Central Massachusetts, and coordinated the public policy program for the state's chamber of commerce association. Previous to that experience, he worked in the Massachusetts Legislature for then-State Representative Harriette L. Chandler, serving as her Legislative Aide from 1995 to 1996, and becoming her Chief of Staff at the House Committee on Health Care from 1997 through 2000. Throughout these roles, Mr. Matthews has focused on such public policy issues as economic development, transportation policy, education, workforce development, and health care.
Mr. Matthews holds degrees from Colby College in Government and Biology, and was recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as a "Forty Under" award winner in 2001. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mr. Matthews is active in a number of community organizations and is married with two young children.

Adam C. Ploetz, AICP                                       Phone: (774) 760-0495 ext. 101
Manager of Sustainable                                    Email: adam@arc-of-innovation.org
     Development Programs
Adam Ploetz is the Manager of Sustainable Development programs at the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership where he coordinates Partnership efforts that address the multitude of issues that effect economic growth including promoting a sustainable environment, transportation, housing affordability, and workforce development.
Prior to moving to Greater Boston Mr. Ploetz was a planner with the Amherst Industrial Development Agency in Western New York where he managed the planning and redevelopment activities of the organization. While in Western New York Mr. Ploetz was also an adjunct assistant professor with the University at Buffalo’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning where he taught undergraduate courses on urban information and analysis and suburban planning and development.
Mr. Ploetz worked in Washington, DC for the International City/County Management Association where he focused on local government involvement in brownfield redevelopment. He has also worked for the Urban Land Institute where he conducted research on public and private sector workforce housing development. He remains a contributor to various Urban Land Institute publications.
Mr. Ploetz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green Ohio. He received his Master of Urban Planning degree from the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning in 2003. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Elisa Howe Phone: (774)760-0495 ext. 100
Administrative Coordinator Email: elisa@arc-of-innovation.org
Ms. Wright, a native to Massachusetts, brings to the Partnership 5 plus years of experience in the non-profit sector. Her skills include community outreach, public relations and marketing, developing and coordinating educational programming and experience in fundraising and development. In addition, she brings with her eight years of experience from the private sector, working in the corporate offices of TJX in Framingham, MA.