Please join us for a reception with

Dana F. Connors

Dana F. Connors, President, Maine State Chamber of Commerce As the leader of the state’s largest and most diverse business association, Connors dedicates his energy to enhancing prosperity for all Maine people. He oversees the Chamber’s broad range of activities: advocacy efforts, economic development initiatives, international trade opportunities, and a wide variety of member services on behalf of the state’s business community.

When:

Thursday September 27, 2012

Time:

Reception: 4:30 – 6:00pm

Refreshments will be provided

Location:

The Foster Student Inovation Center

Since 1994, Dana F. Connors has served as president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Maine’s most respected and influential pro-business advocacy organization that represents a diverse network of 5,000 businesses statewide. Connors oversees the association’s varied activities, including its advocacy efforts, economic development initiatives, workforce education projects, and a wide variety of member services on behalf of the state’s business community.

As leader of the state’s largest business association, Connors dedicates his energy to achieving goals that will enhance prosperity for all Maine people, and often plays a prominent role in many state initiatives from health care reform to environmental and energy issues to tax reform to infrastructure concern.

Most recently, Connors has received statewide acclaim for the Maine State Chamber’s collaborative initiative with the Maine Development Foundation. The Making Maine Work series focuses on key economic issues that will encourage investment in Maine and grow the economy. First released in 2010, the series is preparing its fourth book, with additional reports planned to further explore other crucial economic investment topics.

Prior to leading the Maine State Chamber, he served as Governor Angus King’s transition team director, assisting in the selection of key cabinet and administration appointments, as well as ensuring a smooth transition process.

He spent 11 years as commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, first appointed by Democrat Governor Joseph Brennan in 1984 and then retained by Republican Governor John McKernan. During his tenure at MDOT, Connors counts among his successes the defining and funding of Maine’s highway program; leading the campaign to widen the Maine Turnpike and make significant repairs to roadways of regional economic significance; the acquisition of funding for critical upgrades to bridges statewide; and initiating the return of passenger rail service to Maine. Connors earned universal praise for bringing together the various parties involved in the divisive referendum campaign of the Sensible Transportation Policy Act and facilitating consensus through negotiated rule-making.

A native of Easton, Connors began his career as the city manager of Presque Isle, a position he held for 16 years (1968- 1984). Connors received his B.A. in Public Management from the University of Maine. Connors currently resides in Southern Maine.

A day with us at UMaine
Dana Connors will be at the University of Maine for a full day of activities, including meeting with groups of UMaine faculty and students, tours of UMaine facilities, and making class presentations.

His day will conclude with a reception to be held in the Foster Center for Student Innovation, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. Please join us.

Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Distinguished Maine Policy Fellow

Sponsored by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center