John Barros, a cabinet official for former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, was appointed to lead the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

The MCCA board voted unanimously, 13-0, to appoint Barros, the city’s former chief of economic development for the Walsh administration, as interim executive director of the quasi-public agency last Friday.

Barros will begin his new position on Jan. 14. His interim term is for one year.

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a critical moment for the MCCA and grateful to the board for their support and confidence,” Barros said in a statement. “As a world-class cultural and economic engine, what happens here impacts not just Boston, but the entire commonwealth.”

Barros is currently the managing principal at Civitas, and was previously the executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. He ran unsuccessfully for Boston mayor in 2013 and 2021.

He was Boston’s economic development chief from 2014-21. He headed a newly consolidated cabinet focused on equity and inclusion, and advanced initiatives to create jobs, strengthen tourism, train the workforce, and revitalize neighborhoods.

His appointment was praised by Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu.

“As Massachusetts prepares for an extraordinary, nation-leading year ahead for events, tourism and economic development, the MCCA is going to play a pivotal role,” Healey said in a statement. “I’m confident that under John’s experienced and strategic leadership, the Authority will continue fulfilling its mission to boost our economy and competitiveness, and I thank the MCCA board for its work to ensure stability at this vital organization.”

Wu said Barros “will bring dynamic leadership to this important role at a consequential moment for Boston and the Commonwealth.”

“His economic development experience, knowledge of the city, and dedication to community will steer the MCCA to greater collaboration and success,” Wu said in a statement. “I look forward to working with him on making Boston the leading destination and hub — starting with preparing for a big summer as we host the 250th commemorations, Tall Ships, and the World Cup.”

The interim appointment comes a month after the Convention Center Authority parted ways with its former CEO Marcel Vernon, by way of a $500,00 severance agreement, as a state committee probes corruption allegations at the agency.

Barros will oversee the MCCA’s venue portfolio and operations, including the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center, and the Lawn on D.

He will be tasked with advancing the Authority’s mission to drive economic impact through events and tourism.

Boston City Council gives itself two-week break after inauguration, chaotic president vote

The City Council is taking a two-week vacation after being sworn into their new terms last Monday, and subsequently holding its first meeting of the year to elect a new president in shocking fashion.

The Council holds its regular weekly meeting on Wednesdays, but is not set to meet again until Jan. 28, per its publicly posted meeting schedule.

The Council will not meet on Jan. 21, as it does not hold its regular meeting on weeks that include a holiday, but it’s not clear why councilors are not meeting this upcoming Wednesday.

Many councilors likely stayed up late the night before Monday’s inauguration and Council meeting, making backroom deals and holding secret meetings to elect Liz Breadon as Council president.

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Breadon’s win came as a last-minute shocker. Brian Worrell appeared to have the Council presidency clinched the night before, when Gabriela Coletta Zapata, who claimed the have the job for months, dropped out after three of her key supporters flipped their votes to Worrell, per City Hall sources.

Unlike Worrell and Coletta Zapata, Breadon was not actively seeking the presidency. Breadon only opted to pursue the position the night before the vote, when she said Councilors Sharon Durkan and Enrique Pepén, allies of Mayor Michelle Wu, visited her home “quite late” to ask her to consider running as a “compromise candidate.”

After councilors rest up, Breadon is expected to name her vice president and committee chair assignments at the next meeting, on Jan. 28.