Mike Duguay, a long -standing leader in commercial innovation and economic development in Maine, is on the right track to become the next commissioner of the State Economic and Community Development Department.
Governor Janet Mills appointed Duguay on Tuesday to succeed Commissioner Heather Johnson, who announced in January that she planned to leave the post she has held for six years.
Mike Duguay With the kind authorization of the Governor’s office
Duguay, who launched his career of economic development with the department in 1990, is now executive director and vice-president of innovation at the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College in Waterville.
Since the launch of the Institute in 2017, Duguay has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs to market their products and develop their businesses and have trained thousands of students to succeed in well -remunerated careers in Maine, Mills said in a statement sent by email.
“Mike’s years of experience helping Maine companies … will benefit the department and our state,” said Mills.
The appointment of Duguay is subject to the examination by the Housing and Economic Development Committee of the Legislature and the confirmation of the Maine Senate. Johnson has agreed to stay until then.
“Michael Duguay is an exceptional choice to serve as a commissioner,” said Johnson. “I have been working in close collaboration with Mike for years and I have seen its efforts in first hand to stimulate innovation and growth in my house in the center of Maine. I am convinced that he will be ready to direct DECD on the first day. »»
Duguay is expected to rely on Johnson’s achievements, said Mills, citing the economic growth of Maine, which has exceeded the rest of New England and larger states such as New York and California.
Duguay said he would work to support the governor’s efforts to make Maine the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.
“I am ready to rely on my decades of experience in the construction of solid companies, communities and labor in Maine,” he said.
Originally from Fairfield, Duguay graduated from the University of New Hampshire and was project manager for the DECD business development office and Office of Community Development from 1990 to 1998.
After that, he was executive director of the Midcoast Council for Business Development for a year; Director of economic development for the city of Augusta from 1999 to 2012; And director of business development for Summit Natural Gas from 2012 to 2016, when he managed a sales team and led an investment of 280 million dollars in capital.
The representative of the state Bill Bridgeo, D-Augusta, worked in close collaboration with Duguay for more than a decade when Bridgeo was a municipal director of Augusta.
“I saw his successful efforts to attract investments and increase the economic opportunities in the capital of Maine,” said Bridgeo. “From this experience, I believe that Mike’s vision and energy make him an excellent choice to serve as a commissioner.”
Laurie Lachance, former state economist, emeritus president of Thomas College and former president and chief executive officer of Maine Development Foundation, described Duguay as a motivated entrepreneur with a deep passion for Maine.
“Even more importantly, he is a man of integrity who has an unrivaled work ethics, a kind heart and an unwavering optimism,” she said.
Patrick Woodcock, president and chief executive officer of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, also praised the appointment of Duguay.
“Mike’s deep involvement in the Maine regional (central) economy (central), including its instrumental role in expanding the exhibition to businesses for students in Thomas College, underlines its dedication to the development of labor and economic growth,” said Woodcock. “Mike was also at the forefront of creating energy solutions to large employers with public services.”
The former DECD commissioner Steve Levesque said that “the wide range of public and private sector experiences and collaborative attitude make him well suited to the management of this important agency”.
The appointment of Duguay also won the support of Jeff Marks, executive director of ClimateWork Maine, a non -profit network of business leaders working to meet the challenges and opportunities for climate change for a more sustainable economy.
Marks referred to a new study for Maine Jobs Council which found that the State was delaying in competitiveness, commercial departures, job creation and productivity compared to the nation as a whole.
“We are impatient to work with Mike to attract investments and talents to the state and guarantee that the advantages of economic policy – and reduces damage – for small businesses and their workers,” Marks said in a statement sent by email.
Johnson’s annual salary is $ 173,388.80, according to the Governor’s office. Dugay should gain the legislature approval before his salary may be fixed.
Copy the link in history