By Tiffany Williams –
Maine Governor Janet Mills has nominated Michael Duguay, a Fairfield native and University of New Hampshire graduate, to be the next Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). Duguay is set to take over from Heather Johnson, who announced her departure after six successful years during which Maine’s economic growth outpaced that of other New England states, as well as larger states like New York and California.
“I’m pleased to nominate Michael Duguay as Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development,”said Governor Janet Mills. “Mike’s years of experience helping Maine businesses grow, attracting new companies and good-paying jobs to Maine, and preparing workers to succeed in Maine’s changing workforce will benefit the department and our state.”
Currently, Duguay serves as the Vice President for Innovation and Executive Director of the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College in Waterville. He began his career in economic development at DECD in 1990 and has played a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs and training students for promising careers since launching the Harold Alfond Institute in 2017.
Duguay’s extensive background includes roles as a project manager at DECD, Executive Director of the Midcoast Council for Business Development, and Director of Economic Development for the City of Augusta, where he significantly increased the city’s tax rolls through private development and business investment. He also served as the Director of Business Development for Summit Natural Gas from 2012 to 2016, overseeing a major investment in capital assets.
“I am grateful to Governor Mills for this nomination as Maine’s next Commissioner of Economic & Community Development,” said Duguay. “I am ready to draw on my decades of experience building strong businesses, communities, and Maine’s workforce to support Governor Mills’ efforts to make Maine the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family.”
Duguay’s nomination will be reviewed by the Legislature’s Housing & Economic Development Committee and requires confirmation by the Maine Senate.