For Immediate Release
Monday, April 25, 2022
Longtime
Maine State Chamber President Dana Connors announces he will retire as head of the Chamber at the end of
2022 after leading the organization for nearly three decades
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Dana
Connors, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce since
1994, informed the Chamber’s board of directors Friday that he plans to retire from
his position as head of the Chamber at the end of 2022. For nearly three decades,
Connors has led Maine’s largest business association - overseeing a wide range
of advocacy and economic development initiatives, partnerships, and efforts on
behalf of Maine’s business community; and a broad variety of programs and services
for the Chamber’s network of more than 5,000 members of all sizes and sectors
across Maine.
Connors said, “After
nearly 30 years with the Maine State Chamber and a career spanning more than 50
years - all of it right here in Maine - the decision to retire from the Maine
State Chamber of Commerce was extremely difficult. It has been a tremendous
honor and pleasure to serve Maine and Maine’s business community at this level
for this long. I feel, however, that the time is right for a leadership change
at the Chamber, and I look forward to pursuing new opportunities and spending
more time with my wife and family.”
Maine State Chamber Board
of Directors Chair Clif Greim, president of Frosty Hill Consulting in Auburn,
said, “Dana is a great example of a leader who listens, works tirelessly to
advance the State’s economic future, and has led the Chamber to represent our
members’ priorities in an effective and collaborative way. Dana’s leadership
has served us all well and has also allowed him to attract and assemble an
outstanding advocacy team and chamber staff. Dana is seen as a valuable
resource for legislators and administrations. His positive impact on this State
and our collective interests are so very appreciated. Thank you, Dana, I am
sure you will be crossing paths with us in the future.”
Connors, a native of
Aroostook County, Maine and a 1965 University of Maine Orono graduate, began
his career as the city manager of Presque Isle in 1968, a position he held for
16 years. In 1984, he was appointed Commissioner of the Maine Department of
Transportation by Governor Joseph Brennan and continued as MDOT Commissioner under
Governor John McKernan. Connors served as Governor Angus King's transition director
before becoming president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in 1994.
Numerous accomplishments and
achievements mark Connors’ tenure at the Maine State Chamber. Highlights
include that in his first years leading the organization, Connors, along with then
Governor Angus King and Tom McBrierty, the Commissioner
of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) at the time,
created Maine & Co., the state’s top entity for business attraction. Connors
also has received statewide acclaim for the Maine State Chamber’s Making
Maine Work series focusing on key economic issues that encourage investment
and economic growth in Maine. As a champion for education, including early
childhood learning and career and technical education, the Chamber’s Education
Foundation was created under Connors’ leadership.
Connors recently led the
Chamber during the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented era requiring unique
leadership, advocacy, and communication to help Maine’s businesses navigate the
initial phase of the pandemic and the subsequent economic re-opening and ongoing
recovery. During this time, Connors was selected by Governor Janet Mills to
serve on the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee to help develop policy
recommendations to stabilize Maine’s economy and build the state’s path
forward.
Connors has served on
multiple boards of directors throughout his career and has received dozens of awards
and honors for his leadership and service to Maine, including an honorary
doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Maine, in 2015. Connors is a highly
regarded consensus builder, problem solver, and partner on issues and
initiatives important to Maine people and the state’s economy and future. He is
a respected and prominent voice on issues including taxation, energy and the
environment, education and workforce development, immigration, labor, health
care, infrastructure, and more. Connors is known for his commitment to improving
prosperity for all Maine people, employers, and Maine’s economy.
The Maine State Chamber’s
Board of Directors will soon launch a search for Connors’ successor.
###
Note: please click here
for a photo/headshot of Dana Connors, courtesy of the Maine State Chamber.
About the Maine State
Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the
Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association,
serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of
employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber
focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a
positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine
businesses can compete and succeed. For more information, please visit www.mainechamber.org.