In June of 2014, Catherine Wygant Fossett announced she was leaving the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce as executive director to pursue a new career path. Since then, the board of directors and hiring committee has been seeking a candidate to replace her.

After a search, which included over 40 applicants and numerous interviews, the committee has selected Tony Cameron for the position. He will start working at the chamber as early as next week.

“Tony is the best fit for this position,” Boothbay Town Manager and Board of Directors President Jim Chaousis said. “It was a long search and I think we've found the best fit for this region.”

Cameron was born in Brunswick, and now lives locally. He has worked at both the Ellsworth Area and Bar Harbor chambers of commerce as an executive director and membership and marketing director. He and his family decided to move to the region both because of an opportunity for his wife Elizabeth’s field of work, and because of all the region has to offer.

“My boys are 2 and 4 years old, and we wanted them to experience all this region has to offer,” Cameron said. “The resources here, local healthcare, being close to a landscape of such natural beauty while still being close enough to places like Portland and Boston, which allows us to do more on the weekends.”

Cameron is eager to start his new role in the community and begin reaching out to businesses. He has been involved in economic development projects at the Ellsworth chamber, and favors chambers taking a proactive approach.

“A chamber has a responsibility to reach out to members and find out what we can do for them, rather than waiting for them to come to us. And it's important to reach out to non-members and find out why they aren't members. What could we do for them? Maybe what we do for the business next door isn't right for them, so what is?” Cameron said.

Cameron is also eager to become involved with the economic development project being started between the towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor.

“The chamber should be involved in such a venture,” Cameron said.

Cameron plans to first meet members of the chamber, and focus on “listening and learning” as he puts it. He will focus on learning about the community and what members want to see the chamber doing for them, and what resources he can bring to fulfill that role.

“A chamber membership is a lot like a gym membership,” Cameron said. “You get out of it what you put into it. Tell us what you need, what would help you, and we can work together to make it happen. Don't keep silent.”

When asked about his favorite place in the region, Cameron said he couldn't pin it down.

“Although, my boys are totally obsessed with trains right now,” Cameron said. “So we spent last weekend at the Railway Village, which was a wonderful outing.”

“I'm thrilled to be here, in such an iconic place,” Cameron said. “I plan to work my hardest to be a valuable resource to the chamber and this community.”

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