Apr. 19—The Columbia Association has selected a new president and chief executive officer to govern the nonprofit that serves as the de facto government of Maryland's second-largest city.

The association announced Friday that Shawn MacInnes, town administrator for the Town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, will start as the new president and CEO in Columbia on June 17.

"I look forward to bringing my collaborative approach and passion for community service to Columbia to continue the mission of James Rouse and the entire Columbia community," MacInnes stated in an association news release.

According to Dartmouth Week, Dartmouth officials renewed a contract with MacInnes on Feb. 5 to continue as its town administrator through 2027. MacInnes has managed a $15 million budget and 50 employees in that town since 2018. Prior to that, he served as municipal operations director at the Town of Yarmouth for 21 years, the Dartmouth Week reported.

The Columbia Association operates as a homeowners association for Columbia, a planned city of more than 104,000 founded in 1967 by Rouse, a real estate developer. Today, the association board manages a budget of $70 million, as well as a range of community amenities, from pools to jogging trails.

Dennis Mattey has been serving as interim president and CEO of the association since the February 2023, following the resignation of former CEO Lakey Boyd that January. Mattey, who has been involved with the Columbia Association for 50 years, will retire in June.

"It has been a true honor to be part of this organization," Mattey said. "My entire career has been in service to the Columbia community, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I have been with CA through unprecedented challenges, exciting transitions and unforgettable celebrations," he said. "I could not be prouder of the CA team, and I'm so grateful for everything CA has given me over the years."

Former CEO Lakey Boyd was two years into a four-year contract when she notified the board of directors of her immediate resignation. Boyd said in a Jan. 11, 2023, statement that a plan to improve her relationship with the board rendered her "ineffective in being able to carry out my duties as president/CEO" and requested that she be transitioned out of her role.

Community members and elected leaders in Howard County voiced their support for Boyd, but she ultimately indicated she was forced to resign.

The association officially launched its hiring process for a new president and CEO on Jan. 5. The recruitment firm TransPro Executive Placement conducted a nationwide search, and the board of directors was charged with the final hiring.