Meet The Team
President's Office
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Patrick Woodcock
President & CEO Patrick joined the Maine State Chamber in October 2023 as President and CEO after returning to his home state from serving in a number of state energy leadership positions in New England. Most recently, Patrick was the Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources under Governor Baker in Massachusetts. In that role, Commissioner Woodcock oversaw offshore wind procurements, new building codes, solar policies, and all other state and regional energy policies. He also served on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Officials, and several state and regional energy boards. Prior to working in Massachusetts, Patrick was Director of the Maine Energy Office from 2013 to 2016 in the Governor LePage Administration where he led efforts to expand air source heat pump adoption and other energy efficiency investments. He previously served as an adviser to former U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe in her Washington, D.C. office. Patrick graduated from Bowdoin College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government.
Contact Patrick: Email: pwoodcock@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 103 Angela Ouellette
Executive Assistant to the President In addition to serving as the executive assistant to the President, Angela is the Chamber’s board of directors’ liaison. She also oversees board events and represents the Chamber on various committees including Maine's Best Places to Work. Angela graduated cum laude in 2010 from the University of Maine at Augusta where she studied art, graphic design, and communications. She also completed a 500-hour Corporate Leadership program, attended Massasoit College for Human Resources, and previously worked in management positions in marketing and hospitality.
Contact Angela: Email: angelao@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 101 |
Advocacy
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Linda Caprara
Vice President of Advocacy Linda joined the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in January 2008, and serves as Vice President of Advocacy and the Chamber’s Director of Grassroots Advocacy. Prior to joining the Chamber, she was Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Maine Pulp and Paper Association. She is a graduate of Saint Anselm College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. Linda attended Central Connecticut State University for additional studies in taxation and accounting and is a graduate of Connecticut School of Broadcasting.
Contact Linda: Email: lcaprara@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 106 Ashley Luszczki
Government Relations Specialist Ashley joined the Maine State Chamber in October 2023 after working for nine years for Maine's Senate Republicans. During the 128th Legislature, Ashley served as Director of Policy for the Senate President where she collaborated on policy initiatives with legislators and stakeholders across the political spectrum. Prior to working at the State House, Ashley served as Finance Executive for the Maine Republican Party. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Biology from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio.
Contact Ashley: Email: aluszczki@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 111 |
Membership, Marketing, & Communications
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Mark Ellis
Director of Operations Mark joined the Chamber as membership director in 2019. Now operations director, he oversees membership, marketing, DEI efforts, and information technology for the Chamber. For more than 30 years prior to joining the Chamber, Mark helped businesses like Douglas Dynamics, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp., and Hewlett-Packard add value to their business endeavors through information technology. In the public sector, he has held leadership positions in state and national political campaigns, statewide political party operations, and legislative communications.
Contact Mark: Email: mellis@mainechamber.org Phone (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 109 |
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Melody Rousseau
Sponsorship & Advertising Sales Manager Melody began working at the Maine State Chamber in 1996 as the Chamber’s receptionist. She soon was promoted, and since 1997, has overseen advertising and sponsorship sales for the Chamber’s many events and publications, website, and more. She also works closely with the Chamber’s finance and events departments. Active in her community, Melody has served in leadership roles with the Waterville High School Girls Basketball Boosters and Athletic Council.
Contact Melody: Email: melodyr@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 102 |
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Jen Webber
Director of Communications Jen directs external communications strategy for the Maine State Chamber and is the Chamber’s primary media liaison. She also produces the Chamber’s public affairs programs, including “The Bottom Line” podcast, and oversees content production for the Chamber’s OneVoice Maine magazine. Jen has extensive experience in public affairs, communications, and state and national politics and campaigns. Her areas of expertise include crisis communications, rapid response, and developing and implementing communications, public relations, and advocacy initiatives and campaigns.
Contact Jen: Email: jwebber@mainechamber.org Mobile: (207) 939-0213 |
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Tae Chong
Director of Multicultural Markets and Strategies Tae specializes in market research and strategies with multicultural and BIPOC communities in Maine and the Northeast. He has over 20 years of experience working with the immigrant and BIPOC populations in Maine in economic development, business counseling, workforce development, education, and multicultural programming. In his Chamber role, Tae’s goal is to educate, advocate and conduct outreach to Maine businesses interested in increasing sales and services and hiring and retaining more members of the BIPOC population in Maine and Northern New England.
Contact Tae: Email: tae.y.chong@gmail.com Mobile: (207) 632-9719 |
Finance & Human Resources
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Simon West
Director of Finance and Human Resources Simon joined the Maine State Chamber in 2019. He manages the Chamber’s human resources and finance departments and serves as president of the Maine State Chamber’s Education Foundation and director of the Maine Economic Research institute (MERI). Simon completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maine Augusta and received an MBA from Thomas College. Simon has worked in banking and finance since 2010. In addition to his role with the Maine State Chamber, Simon is treasurer for the Pine Grove Program, a non-profit organization serving veterans and first responders.
Contact Simon: Email: swest@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 117 |
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Kattie Peaslee
Financial Administrator Kattie joined the Maine State Chamber in 2022. She received an associate’s degree in business administration and marketing in 2009 from Kennebec Valley Community College. Her career in financial services began at TD Bank as a head teller and customer service representative. She later joined the team at Gardiner Federal Credit Union as a teller and was quickly promoted to the member services team, where she helped raise money for the Ending Hunger Campaign in Maine. Kattie previously was treasurer for Animal Rescue of Kennebec and has volunteered for Cohen Center in Augusta.
Contact Kattie: Email: kpeaslee@mainechamber.org Phone: (207) 623-4568 - Ext. 108 |