Senator Collins Meets with Easton Native and Former Maine Chamber President Dana Connors

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Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins welcomed former Maine State Chamber President and CEO Dana Connors to the Capitol to thank him for his many years of service to Maine’s small businesses and wish him well on his next chapter.

 “Over his decades of exemplary service to Maine, Dana Connors worked tirelessly to make our state a better place to create jobs, grow a business, and raise a family,” said Senator Collins.  “I first met Dana, a fellow native of Aroostook County, when he was Presque Isle’s city manager.  Later on, I served alongside him for five years as a member of Governor McKernan’s cabinet when he so ably led the Department of Transportation.”

 “Dana drew on his extensive experience in local and state governments to provide expert leadership to the Maine Chamber and ensure the organization remained a clarion voice for Maine’s business community,” Senator Collins continued.  “He has championed policies that have strengthened our economy and created good-paying jobs.  When the unprecedented COVID-19 public health and economic crisis struck our state in 2020, Dana responded rapidly to assist countless Mainers who were at risk of losing businesses they had built over a lifetime.  I will always be grateful for Dana’s invaluable insight as I worked to co-author the Paycheck Protection Program.  It was a pleasure catching up with my good friend, and I wish him and his family all the best on the next chapter.”

 Mr. Connors was born in Easton and received his B.A. in Public Management from the University of Maine.  He began his career as the city manager of Presque Isle, a position he held for 16 years (1968- 1984).  He spent 11 years as commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, first appointed by Democrat Governor Joseph Brennan in 1984 and then retained by Republican Governor John McKernan.  From 1994 until earlier this year, Mr. Connors served as president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Maine’s most respected and influential pro-business advocacy organization that represents a diverse network of 5,000 businesses statewide.

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