Board of Commissioners

Michael J. Woodall was first appointed Chairman of the Board by Mayor Martin J. Walsh on February 24, 2015 and was reappointed by Mayor Martin Walsh on April 8, 2016 and March 23, 2021.   

Mr. Woodall is the Chief of Operations at Putnam Investments and President of the Putnam Fiduciary Trust Company. Mr. Woodall is a recognized Financial Services Executive, Civic and Community leader. Mr. Woodall has significant leadership experience which includes working closely with the Putnam Funds Board of Directors, Chairing the Board of Directors for NICSA, an active member with the SEC and NYSE Euronext working committees, ICI Operations Committee, DTCC Wealth Management Services Senior Advisory Board, and Board of Visitors at Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business.

Mr. Woodall is a graduate of Northeastern University with distinction as a member of the Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society.  His awards include receiving the 2020 NOVA Outstanding Service to the Fund Industry Robert L. Gould Award, the Boston-based PINCH Foundation Jack Leary Quiet Leadership Award and the Putnam Investments Board of Trustees Outstanding Service Award.  Mr. Woodall is a Founding Board member of Inspire Arts and Music, an organization dedicated to enriching the area’s youth with leadership and performing arts programs including the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps. He resides in Boston.

Thomas J. Keady, Jr. was appointed a member of the Board in January 2021.

Mr. Keady serves as the Vice President of Governmental and Community Affairs at Boston College where he is responsible for overseeing the University’s government relations and community affairs efforts in Boston, Newton, Dover, Brookline and Washington, DC. In this position, Mr. Keady directs all aspects of Boston College’s interface with federal, state and city levels of government, as well the University’s outreach and interaction with local residents, community groups, and organizations.

Prior to joining Boston College in 2002, Mr. Keady held the position of Vice President of Government Relations and Community Affairs at Northeastern University where during his 15-year tenure, he played a key role in advancing campus development plans, securing federal research funding and strengthening relationships with executive and legislative offices, city agencies and neighborhood groups.

In addition to his higher education background, Mr. Keady brings extensive expertise and knowledge of the political and legislative process through his work in municipal government and on local, state and national campaigns. Mr. Keady is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Boston, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He is a life-long resident of Boston, growing up in Allston and now residing in West Roxbury.

Chris Cook was appointed a member of the Board in March 2022.

The newest Commissioner, Cook has extensive knowledge of Boston’s neighborhoods, public spaces and infrastructure. He has spent his career working to strategically position open spaces to foster community, adapt to climate change, and promote public health and wellness through design excellence and management.

Presently he is Executive Director of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Created along the Central Artery corridor when that elevated highway was relocated underground, The Greenway is the contemporary public park in the heart of Boston, welcoming millions of visitors annually to gather, play, unwind, and explore. The Conservancy is the non-profit responsible for the management and care of the Greenway, including its horticulture, programming, public art, maintenance, and capital improvements.

Prior to joining The Conservancy, Cook played a leadership role with the City of Boston. Most recently he was the City’s Chief, Environment and Open Space (June 2018 – May 2021). Prior to that, he served as Commissioner, Parks and Recreation (May 2014 – June 2018) and Director, Arts, Tourism and Special Events (September 2010 – March 2014). From 2019-2022 Cook also served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

Cook received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University. He lives in Hyde Park with his wife and two children.

Henry F. Vitale was appointed Executive Director of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission in January 2013. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Commission's Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since March 1995 as well as the Commission's Controller. As executive director, Mr. Vitale manages all operation and activities of the Commission in accordance with its Enabling Act. Boston Water and Sewer Commission is New England's oldest and largest water, sewer and stormwater systems.

Under Mr. Vitale's tenure as executive director, the Commission has received numerous awards, including national recognition of "Best of the Best" tap water in 2014 by the American Water Works Association, the 2016 "Regional Recognition Award" and the "Citation for Consistent Service" from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Mr. Vitale is the recipient of the 2017 Henry L. Shattuck Chairman's Award, which is given to a city department head who has made an extraordinary contribution to Boston.

Mr. Vitale holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Marketing from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and is a Certified Public Accountant. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Water Works Association, the National Society of Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Government Finance Officers Association. Mr. Vitale is a member of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Board of Directors. Mr. Vitale is a lifelong resident of Boston. He is active in a number of community and professional organizations.