Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hailey Howard
January 10, 2023
Skowhegan chamber hires new executive director
The Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director to fill a year-long vacancy following the resignation of the former director, who faces legal action.
New chamber leader Hailey Howard spent the past three years focusing on vocational rehabilitation in the public sector. In 2018, she was employed by the state of Maine in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, guiding pre- and post-secondary youth and adults with disabilities on workforce development, training and placement.
Howard replaces Jason Gayne, who resigned in February 2022 and was later accused of forgery and embezzling upwards of $200,000 from the chamber and Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, according to the Kennebec Journal. He pleaded not guilty in August to the charges and is scheduled to appear in Maine District Court in Skowhegan on Feb. 13.
For nearly a year, day-to-day operations at the chamber were handled by Julia Turner, membership and events coordinator and newly appointed member of the board of directors.
"Since January 2022, the chamber has added nine board members and approximately 40 new business members, and are now in the best position to provide the support, the services, and the networking that strong chambers offer to their local communities," said board member Sam Hight, who also thanked members and the community at large for their support during the transition.
Howard, a Skowhegan native and graduate of Skowhegan Area High School class of 2013, earned her master of arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She received her bachelor of science degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2017.
"I am so excited to become the new executive director and begin working with our amazing board members," said Howard. "I'm eager to add value to our growing community and work alongside our local businesses. I look forward to meeting our current Chamber members and assisting in the process of gaining new ones. Please stop by the chamber to say hello!"
"We are incredibly fortunate to have had Hailey apply, and since accept, the executive director position with the chamber," said Luke York, chair of the Chamber's board of directors. "Her expertise in workforce development within the public sector will provide our area businesses better access to employment growth opportunities.
"The Chamber, along with our community, has experienced vast growth through the energy of young professionals and entrepreneurs returning to the area. Hailey is certainly another example of how fortunate we are to be living and working in the town of Skowhegan."
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