McClain spent the early part of his political career in the Massachusetts Legislature as Chief of Administration and Research for the Department of Corporations and Taxation (now known as the Department of Revenue). In 1968, he served as adjunct professor in the Northeastern University Graduate School of Public Administration. In 1975, McClain was appointed as Undersecretary for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, where he continued to serve in that capacity for approximately four gubernatorial terms (16 years). He was given the honor of Public Administrator fo the year by the Massachusetts Chapter of ASPA in 1975, and in 1984 was awarded the first Distinguished Public Service Award by then-Governor Michael S. Dukakis. McClain retired from public service ca. 1990-1991.
From the description of Papers, 1960-1990, (bulk 1987-1990). (State Library of Massachusetts). WorldCat record id: 58440690
