🔒On the Record: Angelynne Amores sets out to translate Lewiston’s ‘vibe’ into compelling narrative

Angelynne Amores, who was born on Long Island, N.Y., and grew up in West Virginia, is Lewiston’s new director of marketing and communications, the first person in that role. She started on Sept. 22, bringing extensive experience in public- and private-sector communications. Mainebiz caught up with her to find out more about her background and plans.

Mainebiz: What did you learn from your time working for Richard M. Daley, Chicago’s mayor from 1989 to 2011?

Angelynne Amores: There were many great lessons I learned from working for Mayor Daley, but perhaps the one that resonates with me to this day is to be kind and respectful. No matter how long of a day, how grueling of a schedule or how polar-opposite your opinion was, he approached challenges with respect and kindness. You may not like or even agree with the outcome, but you knew that the mayor listened to you and treated you with respect.

MB: What lessons from your time in the private sector can you apply in your job now?

AA: Be nimble — which isn’t typically a part of the governmental vernacular. When it comes to government, that metaphor about it taking a long, long time for a ship to turn is often applicable. Not so in Lewiston. City staff members are responsive to changing, shifting conditions. Then, they apply ‘all hands-on deck’ to get the task done.

MB: What does your new job in Lewiston entail?

AA: I have a bifurcated role covering both marketing and communications. Fortunately, the city of Lewiston has an indefatigable communications staffer already here, so together Dottie [Perham-Whittier, Lewiston’s community relations coordinator] and I will be tackling both roles. Undoubtedly, the plate is full — from launching the city’s marketing campaign to managing the city’s strategic brand direction to overseeing the website to serving as the primary resource for both internal and external city communications, but it is to be expected. Lewiston, after all, is the second largest city in Maine with dozens of big city-wide special events, a robust plan to revitalize the Riverfront Island and active residents.

MB: How is Lewiston different from other cities you’ve worked for?

AA: When someone says Chicago, one’s visceral reaction is generally positive. No one thinks about the long journey it took for Chicago to outshine. Here in Lewiston, elements that make a city exciting are in play right now. We have big, active economic development projects happening, a vibrant growing business community, dozens of city-wide events that reflect the people, art and culture. And, as my husband and I have discovered, the food scene here is pretty phenomenal. Walking around Lewiston you can’t help but to smile when you see children from all different backgrounds laughing and playing in Kennedy Park — it reminds me of my own childhood. Lewiston is in the nascent stage of even bigger things happening. You can feel things coalescing — like the Choice Neighborhood Plan, which not only did Lewiston become the first small city to receive a multimillion federal grant, but we have the muscle to build it. In fact, parts of the plan are underway. There were always big things happening in Lewiston. We now need to bring them to the forefront.

MB: What do you see as the strengths of Lewiston’s brand?

AA: Lewiston’s biggest strength is its people. You can tell they care deeply about community. They show up to community events. They are active in their kid’s school and activities. They smile when you walk by. Another big plus is that Lewiston is affordable. With a median property value of about $150,000 and being about 30 miles from Portland and about an hour from the ocean and mountains, Lewiston is a great place for families to grow and entrepreneurs to shine.

MB: What tops your to-do list for 2023?

AA: My top priority is translating Lewiston’s values, assets and vibe into a narrative that resonates with residents, businesses, investors, innovators and visitors.