Courtesy / Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Dana Connors
April 25, 2022
State Chamber's longtime leader will retire at year's end
Dana Connors, an advocate for Maine’s business community for nearly three decades, said Monday he plans to retire at the end of the year.
Connors has been president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce since 1994.
“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,” Connors said. “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.”
Connors informed the Chamber’s board of his decision on Friday. The board plans to launch a search for Connors’ successor soon, the organization said in a news release Monday.
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. He has also led a variety of programs and services for the Chamber’s network of more than 5,000 members.
He is known statewide for his approachable manner and for being a consensus builder, working with both sides of the aisle. Even in the busy Legislative session, he is quick to respond to a reporter’s call or email.
“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,” said Clif Greim, who chairs the Chamber’s board and is president of Frosty Hill Consulting in Auburn.
“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,” Greim added.
An Aroostook native
The Aroostook County native graduated from the University of Maine Orono (and later earned an honorary doctorate there). He became city manager in Presque Isle in 1968 and held that position for 16 years. In 1984, he was appointed commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation by Gov. Joseph Brennan and continued as MDOT Commissioner under Gov. John McKernan.
Connors served as then-Gov. Angus King's transition director before becoming president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in 1994.
While at the Chamber, he is credited (along with King and Tom McBrierty, who led the Department of Economic and Community Development at the time) with creating Maine & Co., which recruits businesses to Maine. He was known for the Chamber’s “Making Maine Work” series, which focuses on key economic development issues. He has been a champion of education, including early childhood programs and technical training, and created the Chamber’s Education Foundation.
In the past two years, he served on Gov. Janet Mills’ Economic Recovery Committee, helping develop policy recommendations to stabilize the state’s economy and strategize on its future.
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