New directors mark chamber of commerce growth statewide
PHOTo / Laurie Schreiber
Martha Searchfield, new executive director the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
Maine's chamber of commerce offices are ever-evolving. In recent weeks, two chambers have announced new executive directors.
Cory King, long-time executive director of the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, has been named executive director of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber. King was the Maine State Chamber of Commerce's “executive of the year” for 2015. He was set to take over his new post on May 31.
“Chamber work is about telling the story of that region, and the southern midcoast has many great stories to tell. I know about some of the diverse restaurants, unique shops and industry leading manufacturers, but there is much to the region,” King said in a statement. “I'm excited to learn about and experience the region firsthand as the executive director so I can tell those stories that bring more tourists and businesses to the region.”
King serves as the vice president of the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. At SMMC, he will work alongside Carolyn Farkas-Noe, who held the interim executive director position since April 2014.
Meanwhile, the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce promoted Martha Searchfield to executive director, effective April 27. Searchfield had been serving as interim director since January.
“After a nationwide search, it became apparent that Martha was the best possible choice. Her skillful and dedicated leadership throughout the past several months on an interim basis has reinforced the decision,” Chamber President Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko said in a press release.
Searchfield and her husband Tim own the Canterbury Cottage Bed & Breakfast in Bar Harbor.
The Bar Harbor chamber's previous director, Nancy McKechnie, left the organization in December after roughly six months. At the time, the chamber announced the two sides “have parted company.”
Not far away, the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce hired Gretchen Wilson, who worked for the American Red Cross's Pine Tree Chapter. She started April 4.
She replaced Susan Farley, who had been executive director for 18 months. Farley's departure capped a tumultuous week when both Bar Harbor and Ellsworth chambers parted ways with executive directors.
Brick-and-mortar changes
The Machias Chamber of Commerce finally moved into its newly restored headquarters in the 1898 train station on Main Street. Sharon Mack, the chamber's leader, led the move, less than a mile from the previous site on Main Street.
The train station is a focal point on Route 1 and is across the street from Helen's Restaurant.
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