Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Heather Johnson will talk about moving Maine forward and creating a sustainable economy for all during the Thomas College and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s December Business Breakfast. The breakfast will be held from 7:15 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the Spann Student Commons Summit Room on Thomas College’s campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville, according to a news release from the college.

Johnson grew up in Skowhegan and graduated from the University of Maine. She began her career by building a diverse background in the private technology sector including sales, operations and general management roles at Nokia, Gateway and Toshiba. With continually expanding roles she created startup operations inside large companies, developed new products for new markets, and ran a $1.2 billion retail business.

After leaving the private sector, Johnson had the opportunity to concentrate on rural economic development at Somerset Economic Development Corporation. During her time as the executive director she focused on key economic drivers, such as connectivity, workforce participation, and potential growth markets.

While serving as the director of ConnectME, Johnson was responsible for managing a small grant program, mapping key assets, working with communities and businesses to help them identify needs and opportunities to utilize connectivity to enable their goals. She was able to make changes that position ConnectME to move forward into the connectivity space.

As Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Johnson continues to dedicate her career to fostering economic development, both in private companies and in rural communities across Maine.

Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce holds monthly informative presentations on a variety of educational business topics.

The major sponsors for the business breakfast are AT&T; Cross Employee Benefits; New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, Nicholson, Michaud & Company; O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips LLC; and Sheridan Corporation. The print media sponsor is Morning Sentinel, a division of MaineToday Media Inc.; radio sponsor MIX107.9; video sponsor Kennebec Savings Bank. Chamber Business Spotlighters include Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space, Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation and The Robin’s Nest.

The cost of the business breakfast is $20 for members, $27 at the door and for non-members. Breakfast is included with the reservation.
To register, email Cindy@midmainechamber.com or call 873-3315.

 

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