Paul Guzzi, the president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday that he would retire after leading one of the state’s largest and most influential business groups for nearly two decades.
Guzzi, 72, cited the desire to devote more time to family and his activities on other corporate boards, saying he is leaving the chamber in a “strong position.” The chamber has 1,500 members, including some the state’s biggest companies and employers, including Fidelity Investments, State Street Corp., and the technology company EMC Corp.
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“There is some sadness, but I’m also optimistic about the organization,” Guzzi said. “Even though I haven’t thought out all of the next steps, I’m not going to disappear.”
Guzzi, who made the announcement at a meeting of the Chamber’s board of directors, said he expects to remain at the Chamber for another six to eight months during the search for a successor and subsequent transition period. A committee led by Suffolk Construction chief executive John Fish, chairman of the chamber’s board, and Karen Kaplan, chief executive of the advertising firm Hill Holliday, will lead the search committee.
Fish said Guzzi had discussed the possibility of his departure for several months. He said board members have “the highest level of respect for what Paul has accomplished.”
Guzzi became president of the Chamber in 1996, leading the organization through the administrations of five governors — four Republicans and one Democrat, Governor Deval Patrick. Guzzi and the chamber played a key role in crafting and passing the state’s landmark universal health care law that passed in 2006, under then Governor Mitt Romney..
Guzzi and the Chamber also led initiatives to recruit, retain and make Boston a more attractive place to well-educated, skilled workers, including women and young people, that drive the region’s innovation economy. He said he was also proud turning the Chamber into a convener and resource for businesses to network to learn from one another.
The Chamber’s regular breakfast meetings attracted the state’s top political leaders as speakers. Many used them as forums to announce new economic and business-related policies.
Gloria Larson, the president of Bentley University in Waltham and former chairwoman of the Chamber’s board, said Guzzi worked hard to bring more women to the upper ranks of the Boston business community.
“He’s been a huge champion for progress for women in the workplace,” said Larson. “Paul leaves two big shoes to fill.”
Guzzi served more than a decade in state government, including secretary of state from 1975-79. He later became an executive at Wang Laboratories, a leading technology company during the minicomputer era of the 1980s that eventually went bankrupt.
Before becoming president of the chamber, Guzzi was the vice president for state and community affairs at Boston College,
Guzzi also has hosted “This Week In Business,” a weekend talk show on the New England Cable Network. He said he was not sure whether he would continue his show.
Guzzi lives in Newton with his wife, Joanne. He has three grown children and five grandchildren.