Dear Chamber members and friends,
For just over seven years, it has been an honor and privilege to serve you as the President & CEO of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. I’m writing today to share with you, our valued members, that my time in this role will soon be coming to an end.
I have accepted an offer to become the next President & CEO of the University of Maine Alumni Association. I will remain with the Chamber through June 30, so I look forward to seeing you all at our Business After Hours on June 15, our Chamber Auction on June 22, and our Golf Tournament on June 24. I will begin my new duties in Orono on July 5.
Building connections between people on your behalf has been very rewarding work, and we have accomplished much together. I’m proud of the work we have done to brand the Camden-Rockland Region as a destination in print and online, and to provide numerous platforms for local businesses and organizations to build connections and learn from each other. I’m also proud of the important role that the Chamber played in keeping you informed and connected as we navigated the Covid-19 pandemic together.
I am grateful for the support you have shown to me in this role, and I know that your support will continue for our incredible staff team and talented Board of Directors. I have been very blessed to work side by side with Member Services Director Amy Rollins and Director of Member Marketing & Development Diane Norton, (as well as Elizabeth Burrell who was part of our team for much of my time here), and I thank them for their dedicated service to the Chamber. I’m proud of the great work we’ve done together. I also want to thank our current and past board members who have always supported me over these past seven years.
Our Board is already at work forming a search committee to select a great leader to be my successor, and you’ll be hearing more about that process soon.
The Chamber is much larger than any one person, and the organization will continue to thrive because of YOU and your involvement. As you’ve heard me say many times before, joining the Chamber is like joining a gym. You have to show up and use the equipment to get the full benefit of membership. So one last time, I’ll encourage you to get involved by attending events to make connections, making sure your information is current on our platforms, and using the many tools provided by the Chamber to promote yourself and grow your business.
I know that many of you, like me, are UMaine alums, so I hope that our paths will continue to cross in my new role. Please stop by the Buchanan Alumni House on the UMaine campus if you are in Orono – I’d love to see you!
Thank you for your support, and I know you will continue to be engaged with the Chamber and welcome the great new leader that our board will select. See you soon, and Go Black Bears!
Best wishes,
Tom Peaco
President & CEO
Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce
