PCEDC selects new executive director
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) Executive Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of a new executive director, John Shea.
On Feb. 5 the executive committee voted to accept the recommendation of the search committee in hiring John Shea, replacing Christopher Winstead as executive director.
Shea
Prior to joining the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, Shea was the executive director of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) in Middletown, Rhode Island. He came to the AIPC in 2018 from New Hampshire, where he led a fiscal policy think tank in Concord. She also served as head of policy and economic advisor to the government and the Falkland Islands, and owned his own company formed to promote foreign investment in the New England clean energy and high technology sectors.
But the bulk of Shea’s career has been spent at the New England Governors’ Conference, Inc. (NEGC), a regional governors’ policy institute focused on economic development, energy, environmental issues and conservation. He held several positions while at the NEGC, most recently as its executive director. While at the NEGC, Shea led the development of the world’s first multi-jurisdictional, international climate change action plan and a regional mercury program that has served as a model for similar efforts throughout the world.
Shea was born in Brooklyn, New York, and holds degrees in economics and Sovietology.
“I am incredibly excited to be offered the opportunity to join the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council and continue the great work of the Council’s outgoing Executive Director, Chris Winstead and the Council’s board and staff,” Shea said, “and look forward to engaging with the county’s towns, businesses, NGOs and residents to build a better and more prosperous future for all constituencies in Piscataquis County.
“Like many rural communities around the country, Piscataquis County is confronted with the challenges of maintaining economic opportunity for its residents while keeping the County a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. But working together we can build a stronger, more vibrant community that allows people of all ages and backgrounds to stay in Piscataquis County and prosper.”
The executive committee invites the public to meet Shea at the March quarterly meeting, details to be announced on the Council Facebook page.
For more information, please contact Winstead at christopher.winstead@pcedc.org or 207-564-3638