ROCKLAND — Thomas Peaco, Executive Director of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, was honored as the 2018 Chamber Professional of the Year by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented by Maine Chamber President, Dana Connors, and incoming State Chamber Board Chair, Larry Wold of TD Bank, at the State Chamber’s annual Board Appreciation Dinner on November 26 in Freeport. 

In presenting the award, Connors cited the stability brought to the Chamber following the merger of two smaller local Chambers in 2011 to form the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the positive contributions to the economic development and tourism promotion of the Camden-Rockland Region by the Chamber under Peaco’s leadership. 

“This is truly a team award. our success as a Chamber in serving our members is a great partnership of dedicated board members, staff and volunteers, all working toward a common goal of connecting people with one another to improve our local economy.  I’m honored to be a part of such a great team, and I’m so pleased that our collective work is recognized by the Maine State Chamber,” said Peaco.

In addition to leading the local Chamber, Peaco is the current President of the Midcoast Chamber Council, an alliance of eight Chambers of Commerce from Waldo County to Brunswick, and he also currently serves on the Executive Committee as Treasurer of the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. 

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce is one of over 60 Chambers of Commerce in Maine and is the fourth largest Chamber in the state with over 800 business and non-profit members. The Chamber territory covers 27 municipalities within and bordering Knox County.  The Chamber operates regional information centers in Camden and Rockland, manages a vibrant regional resource website at www.CamdenRockland.com, publishes the annual Jewel of the Maine Coast regional guide, and produces dozens of networking and educational events for local businesses each year.