MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) honored State Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough) with the third annual Charles H. “Charlie” Lyons Award during its Fall General Membership Meeting on October 22, 2026, at the Best Western in Marlborough.
Established by the MAVA Board of Directors, the award honors the memory of Charlie Lyons and recognizes a legislator or leader for tireless advocacy and commitment to advancing vocational-technical education throughout Massachusetts.
Senator Feeney, Assistant Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, has been a strong advocate for expanding vocational-technical education opportunities. A graduate of Don Bosco Technical High School in Boston, Feeney brings a personal understanding of the value of technical education and workforce preparation.
“Senator Feeney has remained a strong advocate for working people, workforce development, and economic opportunity,” said MAVA President Dr. Karen M. Maguire. “His work on legislation to improve access, opportunity and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education demonstrates his recognition that our schools are essential to the Commonwealth’s future.”
MAVA Executive Director Steven Sharek spoke about the significance of the award and the enduring legacy of Lyons, who served as Superintendent of Shawsheen Valley Technical School from 1987 to 2015 and was a former MAVA President.
“Charlie was a giant because he thought beyond the needs of any single school,” said Sharek. “His leadership at Shawsheen and his advocacy at the state and national levels helped elevate vocational-technical education across Massachusetts. This award honors those who carry forward his commitment to creating opportunities for students.”
Following remarks by Sharek and Maguire, the MAVA Officers and Executive Director formally presented Senator Feeney with the award.
In accepting the honor, Feeney reflected on his experience attending vocational school in Boston, his 20-year career in telecommunications, and how the opportunities provided through technical education helped shape his eventual path to public service.
“Vocational education is not a fallback plan it is a path to the middle class and a path to success,” Feeney told the assembled vocational-technical superintendents, principals, and educational leaders.
Feeney praised the dedication of vocational educators and spoke enthusiastically about his many visits to schools and meeting students pursuing a wide range of agricultural, vocational, and technical specialties. He emphasized the essential role vocational-technical education plays in addressing workforce shortages in housing, healthcare, and other critical industries.
His message to MAVA’s educational leaders was clear: “You are the solution.”
Feeney concluded by thanking MAVA’s membership for its dedication to students and reaffirming his commitment to continued collaboration with vocational-technical education leaders on Beacon Hill.
“His commitment to vocational-technical education reflects the spirit of this award and honors the legacy of a man who dedicated so much of his life to our profession,” Maguire said.
About the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)
MAVA is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to advocating for high-quality vocational-technical and agricultural education in Massachusetts. Representing more than 77 member schools serving over 58,000 students in state-approved programs, MAVA works to strengthen educational opportunities and prepare the Commonwealth’s future workforce through advocacy, collaboration, and partnerships with business and industry.
For more information, visit www.mava.us.
