Robert K. Coughlin is an American politician, CEO, and real estate executive from Massachusetts. A Democrat, he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 from the Eleventh Norfolk District, encompassing his hometown of Dedham, Westwood, and the Eighth Precinct of Walpole.[1] He later served as Undersecretary of Housing and Economic Development and then President of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. He is currently a member of the life sciences team at JLL.
Robert K. Coughlin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Dedham Town Meeting from the fifth Precinct | |
| Assumed office August 10, 2020 | |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 11th Norfolk district | |
| In office 2003 – January 29, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Maryanne Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Paul McMurtry |
| Member of the Dedham Board of Selectmen | |
| In office 1995–2004 | |
| Member of the Dedham School Committee | |
| In office 1991–1993 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 22, 1969 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Christine |
| Residence | Dedham, Massachusetts |
Early years
editFrom age five, Coughlin yearned to follow in the footsteps of his father, Dedham Selectman Paul P. Coughlin.[2] After graduating from Dedham Public Schools, the younger Coughlin earned a degree in Marine Engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1991.[3] There, he served in the Student Government Association and was a member of the rugby club.
Political career
editCoughlin's career started at age 20, when he became the youngest member of Dedham's School Committee. In 1995, he became the youngest member of Dedham's Board of Selectmen. He served as both vice chair and chair of the board.
In 2002, Coughlin ran for state representative from the 11th Norfolk district, defeating incumbent Maryanne Lewis in the Democratic primary and Joseph A. Pascarella in the general election.[4]
As state representative, Coughlin started by sitting on the Joint Committee on Health Care, the House Long-Term Debt and Capital Expenditures Committee, and the House Homeland Security and Federal Affairs Committee. During the 184th General Court, Coughlin became Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue, and he sat as a member on the Joint Committee on Financial Services and the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.[5]
Coughlin left the General Court to serve as the Undersecretary for Business Development in the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development for Governor Deval Patrick. While in this position, The Boston Globe reported that Coughlin waited six weeks to tell his bosses he was talking to recruiters about a biotech council job, even though he was working on state biotech initiatives.[6] Coughlin denied the allegations.
Biotech Industry
editCoughlin served as president and CEO of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council[7] from 2008 to 2021. MassBio's mission is to advance Massachusetts' leadership in the life sciences, to grow the industry, to add value to the healthcare, and to improve patient lives.[8] In his last year there, he was paid $1.2 million.[9]
As of early 2021, Coughlin is an executive with JLL.[9] Coughlin's son struggle has cystic fibrosis. Coughlin also manages a group called Bobby's Brigade, an organization in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to raise funds to help find a cure for CF.
References
edit- ^ "Senate Election 2004" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Coughlin, Robert K." Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Muster: Massachusetts Maritime Academy Yearbook, 1991". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Robert K. Coughlin (D)". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Representative Robert K. Coughlin". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Biotech council's direction dismays some members". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Robert K. Coughlin - Massachusetts Biotechnology Council". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ "Massachusetts Biotechnology Council". Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ a b Saltzman, Jonathan (November 11, 2022). "Head of MassBio trade group is out after serving just over a year".