Paul Matthews – Executive Director & CEO
Paul Matthews is Executive Director and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau since 2019, Paul Matthews leads a nonprofit that conducts independent, non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues that impacts the second largest city in New England, in order to educate the public and policymakers.
Before coming to the Bureau, for fifteen years he led a public-private nonprofit addressing the policy and development needs of 36 communities, within the chamber of commerce industry, and as a legislative staffer and Chief of Staff for the House Chair of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Health Care. He has served on local and state boards and commissions addressing tax incentives, broadband and digital equity, rail service, water policy, economic development, and other pressing issues.
He is an alumni of Colby College, was selected in a national competition to be a Ford Foundation Fellow on Regional Sustainable Development, and earned his professional certification as a non-profit executive from the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management (IOM). responsibilities, Mr. Matthews is Worcester resident and graduate of the public schools who has been active in a number of community organizations and has two children.
Eric Kneeland – Director of Programs & Operations
Eric Kneeland is the Director of Programs & Operations with The Research Bureau, overseeing general operations of the office — including administrative and financial support – as well as development activities. Eric is also responsible for marketing and outreach efforts, including the coordination and promotion of research events, publications, and forums. Eric began his career with The Research Bureau as a Research Intern in the spring of 2016. As an intern, he collaborated with fellow researchers to produce reports and briefs regarding issues in Greater Worcester. He graduated magna cum laude from Assumption College in May of 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science and an Honors Certificate following publication of an Honors Thesis “Homeless Service Providers’ Assessments of the Effectiveness of Housing First Programs in Maine.”
Joshua Boucher – Senior Research Associate
Joshua Boucher is a Research Associate with the Bureau. He comes to the Bureau after several years teaching political science at the College of the Holy Cross and Baylor University. A central-Massachusan since birth, Josh graduated with a BA in Political Science and Italian Studies from Assumption University in May 2013 and a PhD in Political Science from Baylor University in May 2019. At Baylor, Josh wrote his dissertation on Alexander Hamilton and American Foreign Policy.