CARIBOU - In an effort to fulfill the goals established in the Five-Year Northern Maine Tourism Action Plan, Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) has established a new mission for Aroostook County Tourism (ACT), which will reorganize ACT's structure to a 12-member board and create an ACT Network that will utilize the expertise of individuals who regularly work in the tourism industry.

   ACT's new mission is to develop and implement a tourism marketing program for Aroostook County.  

   "We are very fortunate to have many dedicated people who love Aroostook County and are committed to promoting the area as a destination," said Leslie Jackson, regional tourism developer for NMDC. "With a new mission and structure in place, ACT is focused and committed to making great things happen to support our local tourism businesses."

   Aroostook County covers a large geographical area which is just cause for the fondly used term, The County.

   "While this characteristic makes us unique, the large distances between towns can make it difficult for the tourism community to stay in touch and be kept aware of activities and events that routinely take place in the area," said Jackson. "The ACT Network will serve as the missing link and create opportunities for individuals to share information and provide a forum for discussing important tourism related issues and concerns."

   The restructuring has been in the works for a few months, but wasn't adopted until the NMDC executive board approved the measure Dec. 13.

   Members of the soon to be organized board will represent the different geographic areas of Aroostook County and stakeholders in the industry, from lodging to dining to various outdoor recreation pursuits.

   "I am anxious to move forward with the new ACT Board and fulfill established goals and bring tourism dollars into the area," said Jackson. "I encourage anyone who has interest in serving on the ACT Board or joining the ACT Network to contact me for more details or visit www.nmdc.org to view the bylaws and download an application."

   Jackson can be contacted at 207-498-8736 or email ljackson@nmdc.org.

   CARIBOU - The executive committee of LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development Tuesday approved the appointment of Ryan Pelletier as the organization's first ever executive director.

   Pelletier will take on the part-time role in addition to his current responsibilities as director of economic and workforce development for Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC).

Ryan Pelletier

   "It is exciting to have Ryan as executive director of LEAD, a key partner representing the small business community in the Aroostook Partnership for Progress," said LEAD President Jon McLaughlin. "This is a position that LEAD has needed for several years and was unable to consider until just recently. Ryan's expertise in past municipal legislative work will benefit LEAD in its advocacy work and having a person of his caliber as the go to person will help further solidify our efforts."

   Prior to joining NMDC, Pelletier was town manager of St. Agatha for 11 years. He also served as President of Maine Municipal Association and chaired that organization's legislative policy committee.

   "My first priority as the LEAD executive director is to get out and meet with as many business owners as possible and increase the membership, said Pelletier. "LEAD's current membership is just under 100 and I want to see that grow and become an even greater advocacy arm in Augusta and Washington, D.C."

   LEAD, a nonprofit corporation, was established in 1986 by a group of business people to foster and promote the balanced economic development of Aroostook County.

   "I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working with County businesses to bring additional energy to the organization and to advocate for increased economic and business development in the County," added Pelletier. "LEAD will play an active role in the efforts underway to increase better linkages between education and industry; promote regulatory reform and build even stronger ties with other organizations."

   It is getting to a busy time of the year for LEAD. The annual Aroostook Day at the Legislature is Jan. 30 and the Entrepreneur of the Year selection process will begin in February.

   "We will also be hosting weekly teleconferences with our legislative delegation now that the session is under way," he said.