Edward M. Lambert, Jr.

Ed Lambert, Director of Municipal Partnerships, specializes in state and municipal governance, policy development and implementation, and issue framing and advocacy.  He has extensive expertise in the areas of economic development, educational policy, municipal planning and budgeting, public-private partnerships and community and public relations.

Mr. Lambert comes to Liberty Square group with nearly 30 years of experience in elected office as a school committee member, a state legislator, and most recently, as the mayor of Fall River, a position in which he served for 12 years. He was twice elected by his peers to serve as president of the Massachusetts' Mayors Association.  In the Legislature, he served as Vice-Chair of the Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and specialized in education reform, higher education governance and policy, children's issues and advocacy for literacy funding and healthcare access. He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Mass. Association of School Committees.

As mayor of one of the state's largest cities, Mr. Lambert diversified the local economy, was responsible for building eight new schools, developed strategic plans for education, economic growth and municipal services, attracted significant private investment, and developed an array of systems for community collaboration and participation. He possesses significant expertise in collective bargaining and management skills that include overseeing a budget of over $200 million annually and over 20 departments employing over 3,000 people. He has led efforts of redevelopment in urban areas, specifically in the waterfront, downtown and mill districts.  He has extensive communications and public relations experience, having testified before Congress and the state Legislature. His skills also include policy analysis, conflict mediation and crisis management.

In addition to his political and policy expertise, Mr. Lambert possesses a human services background, with a B.A. in Psychology from UMass-Dartmouth and a M.Ed. in Counseling from Bridgewater State College. He also has years of experience in non-profit administration.

Mr. Lambert currently serves as the Director of The Urban Initiative at UMass-Dartmouth. He resides in Fall River.

lambert@libertysquaregroup.com