Sneed to take helm as executive director of MCDI


Timothy Sneed is replacing Interim Executive Director Barry Metayer.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD - The Massachusetts Career Development Institute (MCDI) has a new executive director whose goal to make the vocational school as financially independent as possible.

Timothy Sneed was introduced to the public by Mayor Charles Ryan as the new executive director at a press event on Feb. 8. He started work at the school on Feb. 12.

Sneed had been working at MassMutual in the finance organization supporting the Information Technology Division. A graduate of Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry, Sneed has had over 28 years of financial management experience.

Sneed has also been active in leadership positions at the Community Music School of Springfield as well as serving on the board of the early Childhood Center of the Greater Springfield, Inc. he was also elected to several terms as the president of the Board of Directors for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

Sneed explained to Reminder Publications that he learned of the open position at MCDI and made an appointment with Ryan to discuss. Unlike Morton, who had a career in education, Sneed said he has no experience with teaching, but sees his role to establish financial stability for the school.

Sneed explained the city finances much of the MCDI budget that is also augmented by grants. He would like to see an endowment started to support the school and will work to explore other long-term funding sources.

His goal is to be as financially independent from the city as possible.

Although he is not an educator, Sneed said he wants to expand the school's educational offerings.

Speaking to the press and MCDI employees, Sneed said he intends to add more programs in the next five years.

At the press conference, Ryan praised James Morton, the former director he had appointed for stabilizing the school that had been rocked by a corruption investigation. Ryan said that until Morton's leadership the "future for the organization was in doubt."

Ryan also recognized interim director Barry Metayer for his stewardship of the school after Morton left to accept the position of executive director of the YMCA of Greater Springfield.