Leader of business innovation program picked for Maine’s top economic development post
Mike Duguay, a longtime leader of business innovation and economic development in Maine, is on track to become the next commissioner of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development.
Gov. Janet Mills nominated Duguay on Tuesday to succeed Commissioner Heather Johnson, who announced in January that she planned to leave the position she has held for six years.
Mike Duguay Courtesy of the governor’s office
Duguay, who started his economic development career with the department in 1990, is now executive director and vice president for innovation at the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College in Waterville.
Since launching the institute in 2017, Duguay has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs market their products and scale their businesses, and trained thousands of students to succeed in good-paying careers in Maine, Mills said in an emailed statement.
“Mike’s years of experience helping Maine businesses … will benefit the department and our state,” Mills said.
Duguay’s nomination is subject to review by the Legislature’s Housing & Economic Development Committee and confirmation by the Maine Senate. Johnson has agreed to stay until then.
“Michael Duguay is an exceptional choice to serve as commissioner,” Johnson said. “I’ve worked closely with Mike for years and I have seen firsthand his efforts to drive innovation and growth in my home of central Maine. I am confident that he will be ready to lead DECD on day one.”
Duguay is expected to build on Johnson’s accomplishments, Mills said, citing economic growth in Maine that outpaced the rest of New England and larger states such as New York and California.
Duguay said he would work to support the governor’s efforts to make Maine the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.
“I am ready to draw on my decades of experience building strong businesses, communities and Maine’s workforce,” he said.
A Fairfield native, Duguay graduated from the University of New Hampshire and was a project manager for DECD’s Office of Business Development and Office of Community Development from 1990 to 1998.
After that, he was executive director of the Midcoast Council for Business Development for a year; economic development director for the city of Augusta from 1999 to 2012; and director of business development for Summit Natural Gas from 2012 to 2016, when he managed a sales team and directed investment of $280 million in capital assets.
State Rep. Bill Bridgeo, D-Augusta, worked closely with Duguay for more than a decade when Bridgeo was city manager of Augusta.
“I saw firsthand his successful efforts to attract investment and grow economic opportunities in Maine’s capital city,” Bridgeo said. “From that experience, I believe Mike’s vision and energy make him a great choice to serve as commissioner.”
Laurie Lachance, former state economist, president emerita of Thomas College and former president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation, described Duguay as a driven entrepreneur with a deep passion for Maine.
“More importantly, he’s a man of integrity who possesses an unparalleled work ethic, a kind heart and unwavering optimism,” she said.
Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, also praised Duguay’s nomination.
“Mike’s deep-rooted involvement in the (central) Maine regional economy, including his instrumental role in expanding business exposure for students at Thomas College, underscores his dedication to workforce development and economic growth,” Woodcock said. “Mike was also at the forefront of bringing energy solutions to major employers with Summit Utilities.”
Former DECD Commissioner Steve Levesque said Duguay’s “wide spectrum of public- and private-sector experiences and collaborative attitude make him well-suited to lead this important agency.”
Duguay’s nomination also won support from Jeff Marks, executive director of ClimateWork Maine, a nonprofit network of business leaders working to meet the challenges and opportunities of climate change for a more sustainable economy.
Marks referenced a new study for the Maine Jobs Council that found the state is falling behind in competitiveness, business starts, job creation and productivity compared to the nation as a whole.
“We look forward to working with Mike to attract investment and talent to the state and ensure that economic policy benefits – and reduces harm – for small businesses and their workers,” Marks said in an emailed statement.
Johnson’s annual salary is $173,388.80, according to the governor’s office. Dugay would need to win approval from the Legislature before his salary can be set.
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