James Brett
James T. Brett is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The New England Council, the nation’s oldest regional business association. Mr. Brett was appointed to this position by the Council’s Board of Directors in October 1996.
Under Mr. Brett’s leadership, The New England Council has become the region’s premier business advocacy and networking association. During his tenure, revenues have grown significantly and membership has increased tenfold. The organization has expanded its programming offering events annually throughout the six New England states and in Washington, DC. The Council is widely respected by business leaders and policymakers alike for its non-partisan, consensus-based approach to policy advocacy. As a result, in recent years, Mr. Brett has led the Council’s successful and impactful federal advocacy on a wide range of critical economic issues, including energy, financial services, healthcare, education and workforce development, technology, transportation, trade, and more.
Prior to joining the Council, Mr. Brett served for 15 years as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. During that time, he served as a chairman of several of the most influential committees in the Massachusetts legislature, including the Committee on Banking, the Committee on Taxation, and the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting. As a State Representative, Mr. Brett’s legislative priorities included providing tax relief for key Massachusetts industries, creating high-wage jobs, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce, and fostering an overall business climate that supports economic growth and prosperity for all residents.
Mr. Brett has been a lifelong champion for people with disabilities. In May 2022, President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as the Chairman of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) and reappointed him as Chairman in 2023. He previously served on PCPID under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, including a term as Chairman from 2011 – 2013. In 2016, Congress appointed him to the National Council on Disability and served as Vice Chairman. He is currently Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability, and Chairman of the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission. In 2013, the University of Massachusetts Boston established the James T. Brett Chair in Disability and Workforce Development, the nation’s only endowed chair in disability and workforce development. In 1996, Bay Cove Human Services of Boston named a new community home for disabled adults “Brett House” in his honor.
In the past decade, Mr. Brett introduced a proposal to the White House for a savings plan for families of individuals with disabilities to save for the future. After moving through the Legislative process, the Federal Government passed the Able Act creating a savings plan for people with disabilities for future education, training, living expenses and other supports.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Brett has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his achievements and contributions. Some highlights from recent years include:
- Robert Cooke Lifetime Achievement Award, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (2024)
- Michael and Kitty Dukakis Lifetime Achievement Award, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (2018)
- Junior Achievement of Northern New England, Hall of Fame (2018)
- Inaugural Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement and Advocacy Award for Individuals with Disabilities, Community Work Services (2017)
- Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., Hall of Fame (2016)
- Boston Healthcare for the Homeless, Tim Russert Award (2015)
- John “Jack” Brett Champion’s Award, Special Olympics Massachusetts (2014)
- Special Olympics Massachusetts, Hall of Fame (2014)
- Edward M. Kennedy Leadership Award, Disability Law Center (2014)
- Hospice of Boston, Humanitarian of the Year (1989)
Mr. Brett has been named to the Boston Business Journal’s “50 Most Influential Bostonians” list on several occasions in recent years. He is the recipient of 19 honorary degrees from institutions including Salve Regina University, Merrimack College, Regis College, Beacon College, Bridgewater State University, Rivier College, Suffolk University, Saint Anselm College and the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Mr. Brett holds degrees from American University, Suffolk University and Harvard University. He was born and raised in Dorchester, MA where he currently resides with his wife, Patricia. Jim is Board President of the Mary Ann Brett Food Pantry, named in memory of his mother and based at Saint Margaret Church of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Dorchester.