Good morning:
The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) is pleased to announce that Representative Frank A. Moran has been honored with the Charles H. Lyons Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and unwavering advocacy on behalf of vocational-technical education.
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Statewide Vocational Educators Group Honors State Representative Frank A. Moran of Lawrence
MAVA Officers Present Award to Rep. Moran
MAVA leaders honored Representative Moran for his outstanding leadership and steadfast advocacy on behalf of vocational-technical education across the Commonwealth. (L–R) Tom Hickey (Secretary), Karen Maguire (Vice President), Aaron Polansky (President), Representative Frank Moran, Wanda Moran, Steven Sharek (Executive Director), Anthony Abdelahad (Senior Vice President, Ventry Associates), and Eric Duda (Treasurer).
MARLBOROUGH, MA – State Representative Frank A. Moran (D-Lawrence) has been recognized by a statewide organization of vocational school leaders for his outstanding leadership and advocacy for vocational-technical education across Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) presented Rep. Moran with the prestigious Charles H. “Charlie” Lyons Award at the organization’s fall general membership meeting on October 23.
Rep. Moran, whose district includes parts of Lawrence and Andover, was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2012. He has climbed to ranks of leadership and now serves as the Second Assistant Majority Leader. He is the highest-ranking Latino in the Legislature.
James Brosnan, Superintendent of McCann Technical School, opened the ceremony with remarks about the award’s origins. He said the Lyons Award “was established by the Board of Directors to honor the memory of Mr. Lyons and to recognize a legislator or leader for tireless advocacy for vocational-technical education in Massachusetts, and for commitment to its continued advancement and improvement.” A longtime MAVA member and close colleague of Lyons, Brosnan was instrumental in the establishment of the award in 2024.
Rep. Moran with Greater Lawrence Leadership
Representative Frank Moran, a proud 1989 graduate of Greater Lawrence Technical School, stands with members of the current Greater Lawrence administration during the October 23 award ceremony. (L–R) Panagiota Athinelis (Director of Teaching and Learning), Ryan Brown (Assistant Principal), Chet Jackson (Principal), Representative Frank Moran, Brenda Richardson (Assistant Superintendent), and Johanna Fawcett (Director of Language, Culture, and Equity).
A graduate of the Class of ’89 from Greater Lawrence Technical School, Rep. Moran has been a steadfast advocate for vocational-technical education, ensuring that it remains a top legislative priority. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing MAVA’s omnibus bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to expand access, opportunity, and capacity across the Commonwealth’s vocational-technical schools. Moran also championed the creation of the Vocational Admissions Task Force, guiding the initiative through the House with a focus on fairness, inclusion, and student success.
MAVA Executive Director Steven C. Sharek reflected on Moran’s impact and career. “Representative Moran’s story truly embodies the spirit of vocational-technical education and public service,” said Sharek. “As a proud graduate of Greater Lawrence Vocational Technical High School, he knows firsthand how a high-quality vocational education can open doors, create opportunity, and transform lives.” Sharek praised Moran for his leadership, partnership, and lifelong commitment to vocational education “as a graduate, a legislator, and a champion for opportunity.”
Accepting the award, Representative Moran reflected on his personal connection to vocational education. “As a graduate of Greater Lawrence Technical School, I have the lived experience of knowing how beneficial vocational education is within our communities,” Moran said. He commended Massachusetts’ vocational schools for their vital role in shaping students’ futures and emphasized the need for continued investment to address growing waitlists and expand capacity. Speaking about the importance of keeping pace with industry standards and advancements, he said, “We must increase funding to make it easier for schools to expand,” and added, “we need to prepare our state’s workforce for the careers of tomorrow.”
Moran concluded his remarks by honoring the award’s namesake: “I will always be in your corner, and I hope that I can one day leave a legacy as lasting as Charlie Lyons.”
The award was presented by MAVA Officers: President Aaron Polansky, Vice President Karen Maguire, Treasurer Eric Duda, Secretary Tom Hickey, and Past President Denise Pigeon, along with Brenda Richardson, Assistant Superintendent at Greater Lawrence Technical School, representing Superintendent John Lavoie.
Executive Director Sharek Congratulates Rep. Moran
MAVA Executive Director Steven Sharek offers a congratulatory handshake to Representative Moran after praising his enduring leadership, partnership, and lifelong commitment to vocational-technical education, “as a graduate, a legislator, and a champion for opportunity.”
Honoring the Legacy of Charlie Lyons
Charlie Lyons, in whose memory the award was established, served as Superintendent of Shawsheen Valley Technical School from 1987 to 2015. Known for his advocacy at both the state and national levels, Lyons was instrumental in advancing career and technical education (CTE) across Massachusetts.
“Charlie Lyons was a giant in vocational-technical education in Massachusetts,” said MAVA Executive Director Steven Sharek. “He transformed Shawsheen Tech into a powerhouse and helped build our statewide system into one admired nationwide. He is sorely missed.”
Lyons’ distinguished career included serving as MAVA President in 1996, earning the Dr. David F. Cronin Award in 2016, and representing the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board. He also held numerous leadership roles in his hometown of Arlington, including more than two decades as a Selectman and service as President of the National League of Cities in 2004. His lifetime of service, public engagement, and leadership continues to inspire educators, administrators, and policymakers across the state.
About the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators
The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) is a non-profit professional organization that advocates for high-quality vocational technical and agricultural education in Massachusetts. MAVA includes 73 member schools with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students in state-approved vocational programs.
For additional information, please contact: Allison Cammarata, Marketing and Communications Coordinator Connecting for Success (AllisonCammarata)