The Retail Association of Maine (RAM) presented its Jim McGregor Award to Greg Dugal, the now-retired Director of Government Affairs at HospitalityMaine. This award is given to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in support of Maine’s retail and business community.

According to RAM, in a news release, throughout his career, Greg Dugal had a reputation for persistence, professionalism and finding solutions to difficult issues. His name is synonymous with Maine hospitality through his decades long career in hospitality management, running a regional chamber of commerce, and his leadership at the Maine Innkeepers Association and Maine Restaurant Association. Dugal also helped lead the formation of HospitalityMaine, a merger of Maine Innkeepers and Maine Restaurant Association.

“We laugh and nicknamed him ‘Greg Google’ because he’s always been such a resource for us in the industry,” said Connie Russell, General Manager of Samoset Resort.

Carolann Ouellette, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation at the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development added, “You could ask him just about any question, and he could cite the reference or know the details intimately. I think that was so much of his success in everything that he has been able to achieve, and what he’s been able to achieve is remarkable.”

The McGregor Award is named after the Retail Association of Maine’s retired director of government affairs, Jim McGregor. McGregor’s many decades of advocacy in public policy made a major impact on Maine business. His steadfast dedication and perseverance have been long recognized and appreciated by the retail and business industry in Maine.

“Greg deservedly joins the illustrious list of previous recipients of the Jim McGregor Award,” said Curtis Picard, President and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine. “No one is more passionate about Maine hospitality, and its impact on Maine’s economy. Maine is a far better place because of the things Greg has accomplished in his career. I could not be more pleased to see Greg chosen for this honor.”

The Jim McGregor Award has been presented annually to a wide list of state and local officials. Last year, Dr. Amelia Arnold of Community Pharmacy received the award. Other notable recipients include: Quincy Hentzel of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (2013) and then-Representative Janet Mills (2006).

The Retail Association of Maine is a statewide, non-profit trade association representing more than 300 businesses in the state, from large chains to small independent retailers. Incorporated in 1937, the Retail Association of Maine serves as the voice of retailers in Maine and concentrates on preserving the state’s strong retail climate. For more information on the Retail Association of Maine, please refer to the web site at www.retailmaine.org or call the Retail Association of Maine office at 207-623-1149.