Maine State Chamber of Commerce Names Patrick Woodcock President & CEO

On September 28, 2023, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce announced it has named Patrick Woodcock as President and CEO effective October 2, 2023. Woodcock is a trusted and respected consensus builder, and widely recognized for his ability to broker compromises on policy work at both the state and federal level. He is a highly regarded energy expert, previously serving as the Director of the Maine Energy Office and as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. 

Patrick Woodcock
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In a press release announcing his hiring, Woodcock said, “The Maine economy is at a critical moment---including encouraging signals from historic population growth and recent state revenues---but it also faces acute challenges such as housing scarcity, labor shortages, and broader competitiveness challenges. I look forward to collaborating with the business community, the Governor, the Legislature, and Maine’s congressional delegation to maximize economic opportunities throughout our state with a singular goal to make Maine a top state to live, work, learn, visit, and do business.”

Maine State Chamber Board of Directors Chair LuAnn Ballesteros said, “The Maine State Chamber is thrilled that Patrick will bring his expertise and leadership experience back home to Maine. His ability to work collaboratively and creatively to build consensus, combined with his commitment to Maine’s business community and economic future, make him an excellent fit for the role leading Maine’s largest business association.” Ballesteros is vice president of External and Government Affairs for The Jackson Laboratory.

As Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources under Governor Charlie Baker, Woodcock led a staff of 60 and oversaw offshore wind procurements, new building codes, solar policies, and all other state and regional energy policies. Woodcock also served on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Officials, and several state and regional energy boards.  

As director of Maine’s Energy Office from 2013 through 2016 under Governor Paul LePage, Woodcock helped advance air source heat pump adoption and additional energy efficiency investments in Maine, and served on the Board of Efficiency Maine Trust. He served as an energy and environment adviser to U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe from 2005 through 2012. 

Born and raised in Hampden, Maine, Woodcock graduated from Bowdoin College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. He and his wife, Robin, live in Portland with their two children.

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