The Mahoosuc Way Steering Committee is made up of a collection of people representing local organizations. This Steering Committee has been evolving from the initial team that was formed in late 2019, when the region hosted the Mahoosuc Region Community Destination Academy.
The Steering Committee is based on a principle of strong collaboration and a focus on sustainable tourism. The Steering Committee draws together representatives from across tourism businesses, not-for-profits, local government, and State agencies.
The Mahoosuc Sustainable Tourism Committee team members (as of January 2022) are:
Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce – Jessie Perkins, Executive Director
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum – Barbra Barrett, Director of Special Projects
Mahoosuc Land Trust – Kirk Siegel, Executive Director
Bethel Inn and Resort – Allen Connors, Managing Partner
Sunday River – Kerry Bragdon, VP of Marketing & Sales
Mt. Abram – Greg Luetje, General Manager
Bethel – Town Manager
Greenwood – Kim Sparks, Town Manager
Newry – Loretta Powers, Town Administrator
Woodstock – Vern Maxfield, Town Manager
Community Concepts Finance Corporation – Mia Purcell, Vice President of Economic Development and Impact
Maine Office of Tourism – Donna Moreland, Destination Development Specialist
Northern Forest Center – Mike Wilson, Senior Program Director
Northern Forest Center – Amy Scott, Program Manager
The Pledge to Embrace Our Place, is a way to bring locals and visitors together in a shared approach to create a sustainable tourism destination. Our work is anchored by the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce and was supported with initial funding from our Sustainability Partners, Northern Forest Center, and Maine Office of Tourism.
See Our Committee
Amy Halsted, Creative Director
Robin Zinchuk, Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corporation
Catherine Ingraham, CEI Consultants
Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center
Karolyn Castaldo, Sunday River
Barbra Barrett, Maine Mineral & Gem Museum
Vern Maxfield, Town of Woodstock
Amy Scott, Northern Forest Center
The Mahoosuc Region Community Destination Academy (2019-2020)
The Mahoosuc Region Community Destination Academy (CDA) program was built on a recognition that successful destinations require a unique level of cooperation among business, non-profit, and municipal stakeholders. They need a common set of skills and knowledge to enable effective team-based project implementation. The Mahoosuc CDA consists of professionally led workshops and training sessions combined with a package of direct financial and technical assistance to support destination development projects. The Mahoosuc CDA resulted in a Mahoosuc Region Sustainable Tourism Plan. The CDA was funded by The Maine Woods Consortium in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the Northern Forest Center.