Maine Association of Conservation Districts News

The Maine Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) Executive Committee has selected a new executive director to work of behalf of Maine’s sixteen soil and water conservation districts. MACD President Daniel Labrie announced that MACD Treasurer Thomas Gordon of Portland will become the association’s executive director as of August 18, 2009. Long-time executive director Bill Bell will continue to serve MACD as a senior advisor and representative on legislative issues.

Gordon, a native of Skowhegan, Maine, was the first environmental studies graduate of Colby College and earned a masters degree in public administration from the University of Maine. He served for two decades as executive director of the Cobbossee Watershed District, managing nationally-recognized programs for lake water quality protection and restoration. He was a founder and president of the North American Lake Management Society, and has served as president of the Maine Congress of Lake Associations and the Kennebec Valley Conservation Association. He is currently serving as chairman of the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District and owns a small sound and audiovisual services business, AV Portland.

Outgoing MACD Executive Director Bill Bell, who will continue with the group in a government relations capacity, stated: “After my own investment of 20 years with the Maine Association of Conservation Districts, it is truly gratifying to have Tom Gordon come forward to take our activities to the next level. Tom’s leadership experience with the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, combined with his energy and experience in conservation, make him just the right person to help strengthen all sixteen of our Districts.”

MACD President Dan Labrie commented: “We are fortunate to have two experienced conservation professionals who are willing to work together on behalf of our districts. We appreciate Bill’s dedication to the best interests of Maine agriculture, and look forward to Tom’s enthusiasm for expanding the roles and capabilities of conservation districts”.

As part of the leadership transition, the MACD office is being relocated to 1197 Washington Avenue, Portland. The mailing address is: MACD, PO Box 541, Portland, Maine 04112. The office phone number is: (207) 878-0857. Tom Gordon can also be reached at: (207) 329-1399 or by email at: tomgordon@avportland.com .