Jack Murray Named Mass. DCR Commissioner

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees state-owned parks and natural resource conservation, is getting a new leader.

Jack Murray, who has been deputy commissioner, moves into the top post June 22. The announcement was made Wednesday by Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.

Murray succeeds Ed Lambert, who is leaving to become the University of Massachusetts Boston's vice chancellor of governmental relations and public affairs. Lambert also is a former mayor of Fall River.

Murray has served as deputy DCR commissioner since 2007, managing operations of the state park system.

Murray also has worked for the U.S. Public Health Service and the Hands On Network to coordinate recovery and relief activities on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.