Governor Names Swampscott Resident to Health Board

Gov. Deval Patrick announced Rick Jakious as the newest member of the Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors. 

Jakious is the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

“As Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in health care access and affordability, Rick’s business leadership and knowledge will be an asset to preparing the Health Connector for the challenges of the future,” said Gov. Patrick.

Jakious succeeds Andres Lopez as the Board’s small-business representative and will serve a three-term into January 2017. Jakious was previously a member of the Health Connector’s Employer Advisory Council, a group created in 2013 to foster stronger communication between the business community and the Health Connector as Massachusetts transitioned to the Affordable Care Act.

“I am thankful to Governor Patrick for the opportunity to serve on the Health Connector Board of Directors and to play a role in the health care conversation in Massachusetts,” Jakious said. “This is an exciting time in health care policy and this is a great opportunity to expand health care access to every person in the Commonwealth. All small businesses, nonprofit and for-profit, share a strong desire for a healthy workforce, as well as a healthy bottom line.”

Rick Jakious has been the CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, the state's largest member organization representing the nonprofit sector, since 2012. With more than 600 nonprofit and for-profit member organizations, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network strengthens the nonprofit sector through advocacy, public awareness, and capacity building.

Jakious previously held leadership roles at City Year, Inc., for 13 years, establishing a program in Seattle, turning around the founding location in Boston, and leading its flagship national corporate sponsorship program. 

He also served in several roles for U.S. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), including Northern District Director and manager of the successful 2004 campaign. Jakious lives in Swampscott with his wife and two sons. He is a graduate of UMass-Amherst.

About the Massachusetts Health Connector

Established in 2006, the Massachusetts Health Connector helps Massachusetts residents find affordable, quality health insurance. More than 400,000 Massachusetts residents have gained health coverage since the Commonwealth’s historic enactment of health care reform. Massachusetts leads the nation in the percentage of residents with health insurance, with 97 percent of people covered.

About the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network

The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is the voice of the entire nonprofit sector in Massachusetts.  MNN was launched in 2007 to strengthen communities by serving nonprofit organizations through advocacy, public awareness, and capacity building. MNN has more than 600 member organizations, representing nonprofits in every part of Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands.