Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors members, seated from left, are Dan Tilton, Luke York, Sam Hight, Jenn Hight, Bethany Shalit, Bayley Hayden and Reid Gibson. Standing in back from left are Kayla Bess, Derek Rossignol and Jeff Peterson. Submitted photo

The Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced its positive growth through a recent transition period. By bolstering its board of directors, adding committees and growing its membership base, the chamber is in an even better position to represent, support, and help develop new and existing businesses in the Skowhegan region, according to a news release from the chamber’s board of directors.

In light of the recent executive director’s resignation, the board has focused on not only maintaining the effectiveness of the chamber, but its growth. Understanding the importance of the chamber’s role in the community, previous board members, Jeff Peterson, owner of KOA in Cannan; Derek Rossignol, bio medical technician at Dialysis Clinic Inc.; and Luke York, operations manager at 201 Service, along with Julia Turner, the membership and events coordinator; have maintained continuity within the chamber and welcomed change to help support their ultimate goal — to better promote and support the regional business community.

The chamber’s first goal was to grow the board, find new board members with specific skills and backgrounds, and expand the chamber network within its diverse business community.

New board members include Bayley Hayden, manager of York Signs in Skowhegan; Sam Hight, part owner of the Hight Family of Dealerships in central and western Maine; Ryan Rutledge, lawyer at Mills, Shay, Lexier and Talbot in Skowhegan; Dan Tilton, senior vice president at Skowhegan Savings Bank in Skowhegan; Reid Gibson, owner, Animal Medical Clinic in Skowhegan; Kayla Bess, sales and marketing director, Maine Grains in Skowhegan; Jennifer Hight, CPA, OneRiver in Oakland; and Bethany Shalit, director of education at Redington Fairview General Hospital.

Current officers include Luke York, chair of the board; Derek Rossignol, vice chair of the board; Jeff Peterson, treasurer; and Bayley Hayden, secretary.

Each board member will have new roles on committees that will recruit outside members and volunteers to help steer the chamber. These committees include By Laws, Marketing and Membership, Events, Finance, and Legislative and Policy. With the expansion of these committees, the chamber will be more representative of the business community along with meeting it needs.

The chamber is also capitalizing on the efforts of Turner in growing its membership base. The chamber has recently welcomed The Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste, Bigelow Brewing Company, Curb Appeal Handyman Services, Lovejoy & Associates, Damon’s Beverage Mart, Wentworth Partners & Associates, and Bait, Bolts & Bullets.

The chamber will continue to host community events to promote its area, including the Central Maine BBQ Cookoff, Moonlight Madness, Riverfest, the Chamber Golf Classic, the Festival of Trees, and the chamber annual awards banquet. For more information on dates and ways to participate, visit skowheganregion.com.

The chamber also looks forward to finding a new executive director. Once the foundation has been built through this transition period, the chamber will begin a search for the right candidate.