We are very pleased to announce that Nancy E. Smith will be our new executive director! Here's the full press release for details.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2010
GrowSmart Maine names Nancy E. Smith as new executive director
PORTLAND, Maine – Nancy E. Smith of Monmouth has been named as the new executive director of GrowSmart Maine, a statewide organization that promotes sustainable prosperity for Maine. She will assume the post in early May.
Currently, Smith serves in the Maine State Legislature representing Monmouth, Litchfield and Wales, and she and her husband operate a diversified livestock farm in Monmouth. She is House Chair of the Business, Research, and Economic Development Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee.
“We are delighted to welcome Nancy Smith as the new leader of GrowSmart Maine,” said Bonita Pothier of Biddeford, chair of the board of directors. “Nancy’s knowledge about the natural environment, personal understanding of the challenges facing small businesses and experience in Augusta position her uniquely to carry out the mission of GrowSmart Maine.”
Lynne Seeley, chair of the search committee said, “GrowSmart is working to connect those who care about Maine’s natural environment with those who care about economic development – our Quality of Place initiative involves both. Nancy brings the experience and vision we need to promote collaboration among many different groups to protect Maine’s Quality of Place.”
Smith will hit the ground running to promote several key GrowSmart initiatives including an upcoming report on Reinventing Maine Government, the Communities for Maine’s Future bond package intended to spark development in downtown areas, the Maine Model Town program that helps cities and towns to develop smart growth strategies, and GrowSmart’s ongoing Quality of Place work.
Smith has lived and worked in Maine since 1981 and lives with her family at Snafu Acres Dairy Farm in Monmouth. In addition to serving in the legislature and running an organic farm, Nancy is a licensed forester. She serves on the boards of the Maine Economic Growth Council, Maine Rural Partners, and Council of State Governments, Eastern Regional Conference.
GrowSmart Maine was founded in 2003 and promotes sustainable prosperity for all Mainers by integrating working and natural landscape conservation, economic growth, and community revitalization. It promotes Quality of Place by convening and engaging in public conversations about Maine’s future, contributing common sense policy analysis, educating the public, advocating for state and local change, and supporting model practices.