Author: Hao Li

John R. Chen

CEO & Global President of Mascon, Inc

With extensive experience in global business and international relations, John R. Chen serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mascon Inc., the parent company of Mascon Medical.

A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with degrees in Engineering, Management and Technology, Chen brings a diverse perspective to finding solutions and fostering collaboration among Mascon’s domestic and international partners. His keen scientific and operational insights help bolster his core competencies in financial planning and analysis, product design, quality control, and technology infrastructure development.

Prior to joining Mascon, Chen owned and operated a technology consulting company called Nextwave, LLC in New York, which assisted early-stage high-tech companies in reaching their next milestones for growth, especially in international travel and education.

Earlier in his career, while at Diamond Consultants, Inc., a Chicago-based digital consulting firm for emerging and mature Fortune 100 companies, Chen was instrumental in creating a reorganization plan for Goldman Sachs & Company saving the firm millions and adding improved operational efficiency within the organization.

And as a consultant at Ernst & Young, LLP, Baltimore, Chen spearheaded the merger of two multi-million utility companies and served as the program manager for a major ERP (enterprise resource planning) implementation for a large automotive aftermarket equipment manufacturer.

Subsequently, he joined Mascon and strategically realigned the company’s business model to focus on Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) and supply chain services in industries ranging from home and office security to aerospace and defense. He also tactfully expanded the company into new markets including global manufacturing such as precision machining, injection molding, forging, and die casting.

Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, Mascon was founded nearly 40 years ago by Chen’s father Dr. James Chen to help businesses in the United States and Asia work together. From its humble beginnings in Chen’s childhood home in Winchester, Massachusetts, the company has grown tremendously to become a global sourcing company with employees and offices in Woburn and Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, China, as well as Taipei, Taiwan.

In March 2020, when COVID-19 was exploding in the United States, especially in New York and Boston, Chen contacted former United States Congressman Bill Delahunt to discuss Mascon’s intention of launching a new business division to help fix the problem of shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE). Congressman Delahunt enthusiastically embraced the idea and agreed to join the team as a member of Mascon’s COVID-19 Advisory Board. From there, Mascon Medical was born.

As the pandemic began to spread, Mascon Medical promptly began leveraging its US parent company’s infrastructure, connections to its sister company in China, and more than 40 years of experience in global sourcing to bring precious PPE into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the hands of those communities hit hardest by COVID-19.

In addition, Mascon Medical invested millions to create face masks specifically designed for children, further expanding the PPE supply chain in the Commonwealth. And while other suppliers were demanding 50% deposits and even 100% payment in advance, Mascon asked for 0% down on initial orders to demonstrate its ability to deliver and establish credibility.

To date, Mascon Medical has delivered millions in PPE to clients throughout the Commonwealth and around the United States including the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Steward Health Care, City of Las Vegas, Rapiscan Systems, Massachusetts Trial Courts, City of Quincy, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Massachusetts Nurses Association. This includes masks, gowns, face shields, goggles, hand sanitizing wipes, and electrostatic sprayers.

For nearly four decades, Chen’s family business has built a reputation for quality, transparency, and ethical business practices. Mascon Medical is carrying on this tradition.

Grace Lee​​

SVP, Director of Government Banking at People’s United Bank

Grace has combined over twenty years of public and private sector leadership experience in Massachusetts. Grace as SVP, Director of Government Banking & Finance, manages the Government Banking Division throughout the People’s United Bank’s footprint. Grace joined People’s United Bank in August of 2014 from Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, LLP where she was Special Counsel and Vice Chair of the Public Finance Group for the law firm.

Previously, Grace was General Counsel and First Deputy Treasurer of the State of Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General from 2003 to 2011 where she managed the operations of the State Treasury and its divisions. As First Deputy Treasurer, Grace was statutorily authorized to assume the responsibilities of the State Treasurer in his absence or by his designation. She oversaw the operations of the Treasury and its divisions, such as Cash Management, Debt Management, Abandoned Property, Water Pollution Abatement Trust, and Administration and Finance. Additionally, Grace was responsible for managing the legal affairs of the Treasury, which included; compliance with state and federal regulations and statutes, drafting policies, and managing litigation by outside counsels and agencies. In addition, while at the State Treasurer’s Office, Grace was instrumental in the passage of the legislation that established the Asian American Commission and served as the Commission’s first Interim Executive Director.

Prior to joining the State Treasury, Grace was an associate at Morgan, Brown & Joy, concentrating her practice in employment discrimination, labor law and commercial litigation. Grace’s other public sector experience includes her work as a civil rights attorney for the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights and as Chief of the Civil Rights Division for the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Grace has actively participated in community development and charitable organizations throughout her career. Currently, Grace serves as a board member of the Roxbury Community College Foundation and of the Women in Public Finance. Grace has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Community Resources for Justice, a member of the Finance Committee for the Asian Community Development Corporation, Council member of the Boston Bar Association, Board member of the Asian Community Development Corporation and Board of Directors member of the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts.

Grace received her Bachelors of Arts from California State University of Northridge, CA and her Jurist Doctor from New England School of Law, Boston, MA. She resides in Brookline, MA with her husband and two children.

Dr. Ann Woolley

M.D. Infectious Disease Physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

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Mark O. Schissler

Lieutenant General of the U.S. Air Force & Chairman at MagnoSec Corp

Lieutenant General Mark Schissler is President of Mill Pond Defense Consultants, LLC and a highly experienced policy planner and strategic thinker. He spent 36 years in the U.S. Air Force, including many years as an operational airlift navigator, plus commands to include a squadron, group, wing and two expeditionary wings. His staff tours include three assignments on the headquarters Air Staff and two separate high responsibility positions on the Joint Staff. Additionally, he served on a joint command and multi-national headquarters as the senior American.

As the Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, he was the military advisor to the Deputy Secretary General and the Chairman of the Military Committee. He regularly overcame huge obstacles to achieve consensus among 28 nations as the Alliance responded to Russian aggression in Crimea and Ukraine. He worked with diplomats, Ambassadors, heads of state, and NATO military leaders to gain approval for military response options and plans. He chaired the NATO Logistics Committee and coordinated the difficult, but very successful, force reduction and shipments from Afghanistan. He cultivated meaningful and lasting relationships with NATO’s extensive Partner network at a crucial time in Alliance history.

As Director for Plans and Policy/Programming at U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), he was responsible for development of policy/military positions and long-range budget plan of $60B per year. Lead strategist & long-term planner for the command. Lead planner for European air interoperability, contingency basing requirements and a HQ staff reorganization. He gained political approval for U.S. F-16 expeditionary basing in Poland and AEGIS Ashore basing in Romania. Served as Chairman for bi-national Joint Commissions with Bulgaria, Romania & Poland.

As the first Air Force Director for Cyberspace Operations at HQ Air Staff, he led the service-wide integration of communications, network security and information operations. Following an extensive malware attack, he authored the prescriptive changes in policy and practices to prevent further damage to key military networks. As the Joint Staff Deputy Director for the War on Terrorism, he directed and oversaw the re-write of national strategy for the GWOT. He personally advised the Deputy Secretary of Defense on detainee matters and made policy recommendations to the White House Counter Terrorism coordinator.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from the University of St. Thomas; a Masters Degree in National Security Studies and strategic studies from the Naval War College; a Master of Arts degree in pastoral studies, University of St. Thomas; and a Master of Arts degree in human resource development from Webster University. He was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University and selected for the Georgetown Leadership Seminar at Georgetown University

Ron Rothman​​​

Former President of Honeywell Security & ADI Distribution (Global)

A business leader with more than 25 years of senior-level experience, Ron Rothman is a board member, advisor, investor, and former president of Honeywell Security Group.

As Honeywell Security Group president, Ron was responsible for the $3 billion Honeywell security products and ADI distribution business. He led a team of 7,500employees behind industry-leading achievements in the development of alarm control systems, sensors, wireless communications, cloud services, GUIs, remote control, IOT, and smartphone apps.

As a board member, advisor, and investor, Ron has been involved in privately-owned businesses engaged in the connected home, IOT, PERS, remote video guarding, and intrusion alarm systems – as well as fire and life safety manufacturing, distribution, installation and central station monitoring. He’s currently a board member of Sight Logix, Elite ISI, IPVideo Corporation, and Becklar, LLC.

Ron is chairman of the Marketing Committee for The Monitoring Association (TMA) anda committee member of the Security Industry Association (SIA). Awarded six patents, this SSI Hall of Fame member has received the ESA President’s Award, the William N.Moody Award, and the Honeywell Chairman’s Award.

His areas of expertise include acquisitions, strategic planning, product development, succession planning, sales, and marketing.

Ron holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in marketing from the University of Florida.

Phil Johnston​

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts and Regional Administrator of Health and Human Services for New England

In 1984, Governor Michael S. Dukakis appointed Phil the Secretary of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts. As Secretary, he was responsible for the administration of seventeen state agencies in the health and human services field, which comprised over fifty percent of the state budget. Just prior to his appointment as Secretary, Phil had begun his fifth consecutive term as an elected State Representative from the Fourth Plymouth District of Massachusetts.

In 1991, Phil served as the Executive Director of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, in Washington, D.C., an organization established by the Kennedy family to continue to carry on Robert F. Kennedy’s work in the field of social justice and human rights in the United States and around the globe. In 1992, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the New England Administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As the Administrator, Phil had supervisory responsibility for a multitude of federal Health and Human Services programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Headstart, WIC and many other programs serving vulnerable populations in the six New England states. He reported directly to HHS Secretary, Donna Shalala. He served in that role until 1996 when he became a Democratic candidate for the US Congress in the 10th District of Massachusetts. From 2000-2007, Phil was twice elected Chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Phil was appointed in 2007 by Governor Deval Patrick as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts. He chaired the Search Committee for a new Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He also served as Chair of the Search Committee for the new UMass Amherst Chancellor. From 2013 to 2017, Phil served as Chairman of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority Board of Directors. He was recently elected Vice Chair of the University of Massachusetts Foundation.

Phil has served on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts since 1998. In 2002, he was appointed to Chair the Board of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, which has an endowment of $115 million dollars and provides grants to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations, which work in the healthcare field on behalf of low-income citizens. In addition, Phil is the Board Chair of the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, an organization funded by Massachusetts health providers and payors, which serves both as a health policy research organization and as a convener of key players in the health field to address key health policy issues confronting the state and the nation. The Forum has a close affiliation with Brandeis University.

Phil also sits on the Boards of ConforMIS, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the Tramuto Foundation, Health eVillages, Rogerson Communities, along with the Advisory Board for the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center. In 2012, Phil was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. Most recently, Phil was named a trustee of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.

Phil founded and served as Executive Director of the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, one of the top juvenile justice and social services agencies in the country. Currently, he serves on the Advisory Board of the Action Corps.

In addition to holding honorary degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston, Bridgewater State College, and Curry College, Phil received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (Honors in History) and a Master of Arts degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Bill Delahunt

Former Congressman

Having graduated from the Boston College Law School, Mr. Delahunt was a District Attorney in the Boston area for twenty two years prior to his service in Congress. His two decades of experience as a prosecutor and lifelong commitment to safeguarding civil rights had made him an indispensable member of the Judiciary Committee. On this very same committee Mr. Delahunt served as one of the leading Democrats during the Clinton impeachment proceedings. President Barack Obama also appointed Delahunt to serve as the Congressional Delegate to the United Nations. He also worked to improve diplomatic relations throughout the world and developed public diplomacy initiatives such as student and diplomatic exchanges.

After leaving Congress he created a consulting company, The Delahunt Group, which is highly regarded in the government relations sector. He is also special counsel to the law firm of Eckert Seamans with offices in Boston, Washington and other major cities in the Northeast.

Delahunt also served as acting director of the Institute of Politics at the Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government during 2016-2018.

Rich Mackinnon​

President of Mass Firefighters Association

Rich MacKinnon Jr. a third-generation firefighter, serving 20 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the town of Whitman. He was elected President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) on October 22, 2016.

MacKinnon has served in an elected capacity within Whitman Firefighters Local 1769 since 2001. In 2001, he was elected to the Bargaining Committee, and as an At-Large Member. In 2009, he was chosen to serve on the Whitman Fire Department Ambulance Committee on Rules and Regulations. In 2010, MacKinnon was elected President of the union and served in that capacity until just recently.

In 2011, Rich was elected to the PFFM Executive Board as the District 1 Vice President, servicing 32 locals within the organization’s 12,000 membership. While on the PFFM Executive Board, he has served on several other boards. In 2011, he was appointed by Governor Patrick to be one of two PFFM representatives on the state Joint Labor Management Committee (JLMC) where he represented labor on arbitration panels to settle contracts. He also serves on the PFFM’s EMS Committee as the sitting E-Board Member and is Co-Chairman of the PFFM Constitution and By Laws Committee. In 2013, MacKinnon was named Chairman of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts Funeral Committee which assists locals in the handling of line of duty deaths, active member deaths, and retiree deaths across the state.

In 2011, Rich was appointed to the IAFF Standing Committee on EMS representing the Third District of the IAFF which includes Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In 2012 and 2013 he was selected to serve as the IAFF Principal Member on the NFPA Technical Committee on EMS and the NFPA EMS 450 Standard Committee. He also serves on the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission and recently obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

Salvatore Marino​

CEO Bostonian Enterprises

Sal Marino, a property maintenance and professional with over 25 years’ experience, quickly recognized the incredibly dangerous situation businesses would face in light of COVID-19. Marino also has a unique skillset in this fight as a sanitization expert with more than a decade in this practice.

Sal immediately sprung into action to help combat the spread of coronavirus by expertly training his team on the most effective ways of sanitizing commercial work stations including, but not limited to: educational institutions, medical facilities, large-scale office spaces, municipal facilities, major restaurant & bar brands and union-based headquarters.

Today, Marino’s team maintains the sanitization practices & safety of over one million square feet throughout New England.

Joe Sullivan​​​

Former Braintree Mayor

In Braintree, Massachusetts, Joseph C. Sullivan is known to almost every adult resident simply as “Joe,” because for more than a decade, he served with distinction as the town’s first mayor.

Joe Sullivan’s public service career goes all the way back to the early 1990s, when he served as a Legislator in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. His responsibilities included Chairing the House Committee on Transportation, planning the re-establishment of the South Shore’s Old Colony Rail, and co-authoring Metropolitan Highway System legislation. In that role, he prioritized millions of dollars in annual funding for the Commonwealth transportation programs.

Joe’s executive experience includes a position as Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery: a state agency with, at the time, more than $4 billion in annual revenues, approximately 400 employees, and five regional offices.

In addition to his vast transportation experience, Joe’s professional expertise includes economic development, community engagement, and new business development.

He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and an M.P.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Joe is a Director of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton (BID-Milton) – a leading regional community hospital and member of the Beth Israel Lahey Health network. In the financial field, he serves as a Director of the $1.8 billion South Shore Bank.