08/24/21 Allison Arbo Hired as Joint Executive Director for Destination Moosehead Lake and Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation

Greenville, ME – August 17, 2021 –Allison Arbo has been hired as the first Joint Executive Director of two of the Moosehead Lake area’s most vital organizations, Destination Moosehead Lake and Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation.  Allison formerly served as the Executive Producer for WABI TV 5 in Bangor.  Her skills and experience in project management, communication skills, and commitment to supporting the community all led to her successful selection for the position. Ms. Arbo says, “I am honored and excited about taking on this position and look forward to working with businesses and community members to continue moving the area forward in a positive direction.”

At the end of April this year, Destination Moosehead Lake (DML) and Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC) entered into a formal agreement to share the expenses of employing a full-time Executive Director to oversee both organizations’ projects and programs, carry out the strategies of both organizations, and help both groups enhance their efforts to sustain, manage and develop economic vitality in the area including tourism marketing and management.

With so many positive changes on the horizon for the Moosehead Lake Region, Steve Levesque, President of the MLREDC, said, “We are excited that the collaboration with DML has resulted in hiring such a skilled and talented candidate.  Allison’s commitment to the community and her desire to be part of Moosehead Lake’s growth and development will greatly benefit our organizations as well as the community.  Allison will work with our Board of Directors and our committees to meet the needs of the community, oversee our new small business loan program, future housing development, the new community park, management of the Greenville Business Center, downtown WIFI and a regional wayfinding program, downtown redevelopment, to name but a few of the things on our work plan.   MLREDC wants to make sure that we help sustain local businesses, and that new businesses have the infrastructure to meet their needs as we continue to improve the area for residents and visitors”.  He also remarked, “Recent news about the ski mountain redevelopment and what that will bring to the area points to our need to continue to grow our organization’s ability to keep moving forward and support regional growth.  While DML and MLREDC have different missions, hiring an Executive Director in partnership with DML provides the opportunity for us to become a more robust organization in order to better accomplish our goal; to serve as a catalyst to enhance the regions’ economy and quality of life.”

Jenny Ward, Maine Business and Community Relations Manager for Appalachian Mountain Club and President of Destination Moosehead Lake, commented, “Destination Moosehead Lake is excited about this step of hiring Allison.  We believe that her skills and experience will be instrumental in moving DML forward and helping us to market and manage the tourism industry in our area during the incredible changes taking place here.  Ms. Ward continued, “Our collaboration with the MLREDC provided the opportunity to recruit high level candidates to this critically important position and resulted in Allison’s hiring for both organizations which benefits both of our organizations and the community.  DML’s responsibility to market and manage tourism in the area is particularly important with the growth we have seen in the tourism industry in the last two years and with the projected growth in the area.  In light of more visitors discovering the wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities and the natural beauty of the area, it is more important than ever that DML have the leadership that Allison will provide.   DML’s goal of maintaining our areas character and integrity for our residents while maximizing our economic opportunities is crucial.  Allison will be pivotal in helping us meet the challenges the Moosehead Lake area will face in the coming years.”