Leon Goodwin Named Dedham's Next Town Manager

DEDHAM, MA — The selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday night to select Leon Goodwin as Dedham's next town manager. Goodwin, the former town manager of Salem, New Hampshire, spent the last two years working as a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department. Prior to that, Goodwin also previously worked as assistant city solicitor in Keene, New Hampshire.

Goodwin was one of three finalists including former Dedham and current Foxborough Town Manager William Keegan, Brookline Deputy Town Administrator Melissa Goff to take part in public interviews, site visits and vetting from town employees and elected officials.

Town officials in a statement called Goodwin a "strategic, creative and inclusive leader" and said his experience with financial management is exactly what Dedham needs right now.

"The board was impressed with Leon’s extensive list of accomplishments, his commitment to engaging with residents and his ideas about how to help Dedham become an even better place to live and work," said Selectmen chair Dennis Guilfoyle. "With the combination of his broad experience in municipal government and his obvious passion for public service, we are confident Leon can take the reins and lead Dedham as we continue to evolve."

Pending contract negotiations, Goodwin is expected to start on or before Nov. 1.

"I am honored to serve as Dedham’s next Town Manager," Goodwin said. "I got my first taste of local government here in Dedham and couldn’t be more excited to make my return to local government in a community that I hold in such high regard."