Page 9 - Newsletter Spring 2021

THE CLASS 0F 1982

HONORS ONE OF THEIR OWN

Rick McCarthy

An Ability to Listen, A Drive to Do Good

Compiled by Nancy Ketch '82

Editor’s Note: The following is an than a decade, and the board they had a young family to “I would characterize Rick as
edited combination of two articles had come to count on his keen support. Still, Lawrence had particularly skilled in listening
that appeared in consecutive issues insights and his ability to bring been impressed by McCarthy’s to a wide range of views on
of Maine Trails, the Magazine of diverse groups together and find intelligence and drive. public policy and figuring
the Maine Better Transportation compromises that could work out where consensus could be
Association. The information for all of Maine.” Wrote Lawrence, “Two years found,” said Melrose. “He was
is being preprinted with their later, I was elected senate able to set aside his own views
permission. McCarthy graduated from president. I called Rick and to focus on helping others find
Houlton High School where asked him to come work for me common ground. I suspect this
Rick McCarthy was happiest his dad worked as Houlton’s as a policy analyst. I don’t think is why he was successful helping
when he was working alongside town manager. He earned his I have ever seen anyone happier several senate presidents craft
people to do good, and he bachelor of arts in history from to be able to work in an arena legislation that was enacted.”
was adept at helping people the University of Chicago and he loved. He joined a staff of
with a diverse set of voices Master of Arts in education ‘young Turks’ I had brought Melrose was quick to note
find consensus on issues such from the University of Illinois. into the office. Though new to that McCarthy was more than
as housing affordability and Augusta, Rick quickly earned a political wonk who thrived
transportation investment – McCarthy’s career started in a reputation for his research, on making the deal; he had a
all in the name of progress. 1986 as a litigation assistant intelligence and analytical mind. true calling for the profession
McCarthy, who was managing for Jenner and Block, a law He became my chief policy he had chosen. “Rick was
director of Eaton Peabody firm in Chicago. In 1990, analyst and budget analyst, one compassionate, and he enjoyed
Consulting Group, died on July he moved back east and was of the most important positions working for organizations
9 at the age of 56 after a short hired as a litigation assistant in the State House.” focused on improving the
battle with cancer. with the McLane Law Firm in wellbeing of Maine people,”
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. When Lawrence left his post said Melrose, noting that the
McCarthy was an experienced In 1996, he took a job as the as senate president, McCarthy majority of McCarthy’s clients
consultant specializing in planning coordinator for South stayed on for the next 11 years were not corporate, but worked
economic development and Berwick and one year later working for Senate presidents in housing, transportation,
transportation who worked for went to work at the Maine Beverly Daggett and Beth social services and local
clients including Maine Better State House as special assistant Edmonds. He also worked government.
Transportation Association, the to then Senate President as a special assistant to Senate When Maine Tomorrow merged
Maine Chapter of American Mark Lawrence where he first President Mike Michaud and with Eaton Peabody in 2011,
Council of Engineering put his talents to work as a later became Michaud’s chief of McCarthy joined Melrose at the
Companies, the Maine skilled researcher, analyst and staff. new firm, the Eaton Peabody
Affordable Housing Coalition negotiator. Consulting Group. There,
and several municipalities. In 2008, McCarthy join the McCarthy continued to do what
Lawrence had met McCarthy staff of Maine Tomorrow, he did best – bringing people
“We will miss Rick a lot,” said when he tried to recruit him a consulting group based together from diverse points
MBTA President Irv Smith. to run for state office. He was in Hallowell that had been of view to find consensus and
“He has worked with MBTA unsuccessful in that effort – founded by former MaineDOT make life better for the people
on issues of transportation and McCarthy and his wife Michele Commissioner John Melrose. of Maine.
infrastructure funding for more had just bought a home and

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