Maine State Chamber of Commerce president shares words of wisdom ahead of retirement

AUGUSTA, Maine — Dana Connors might have spent extra time within the halls of the Maine State Home than some other elected official, and he has by no means run for workplace. 

Connors introduced Monday he would retire later this yr, after practically three a long time as president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the state’s main business-advocacy group.

Earlier than that, Connors served 11 years as Maine’s commissioner of transportation below two governors from completely different political events. 

His first job out of graduate faculty from the College of Maine was serving as the town supervisor for Presque Isle, which he did for 16 years. 

Connors mentioned all that have has proven that the teachings he realized as a toddler have been appropriate: Deal with individuals with respect, and do not assume your opinion or thought is the one one.

“It is essential to be respectful and take heed to others, and if there’s a compromise, superb. And if it does not, issues will work out,” Connors mentioned. 

That, Connors mentioned, goes together with the lesson about constructing relationships with individuals, even once you disagree — a lesson he mentioned is simply too typically ignored by politicians at present. 

“Points will go, however relationships are lasting,” he mentioned. “Your good friend at present may be your foe tomorrow, in terms of public coverage, and that is essential to bear in mind.” 

That method has led Connors to turn into greater than an advocate for enterprise in Augusta. 

On the identical time, he has served as an adviser to many political leaders and teams, a mentor to some, and at occasions a trusted mediator on complicated points. 

Discovering widespread floor is a crucial a part of the general public coverage course of, he mentioned, including that it was how enterprise was executed within the State Home. 

“However on the finish of the day, when there wasn’t an deadlock or compromise wasn’t obvious, management would get along with the administration, go to the Blaine Home [the governor’s residence], and work out an answer. [Then they would] come again and clarify it, and rank and file would go alongside. You do not see that as a lot at present,” he mentioned. 

Connors praised this yr’s $1.2 billion finances compromise. He mentioned it was the “brilliant gentle” of the Legislative session, earlier than including that the work within the Legislature has turn into extra partisan. 

“So that you do discover the extremes of the events are inclined to dominate debate within the dialogue. And the center, the compromise, those that search compromise are the exception to the rule,” he mentioned. 

Connors mentioned he’s inspired about Maine’s enterprise future, thanks partly to the creation of a 10-year financial improvement plan for Maine and the vary of analysis and different work happening with companies and the College of Maine System. 

“Many of the jobs that can be created within the subsequent 10 years do not exist at present,” he mentioned. “And those who do can be reworked by know-how.” 

Connors mentioned he’ll miss the work. However after a 55-year profession, he mentioned it is time for the following technology of enterprise leaders to innovate and lead the coverage costs and tasks that Maine will want.