New Moosehead Chamber director no stranger to the area

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — The Moosehead Region Chamber of Commerce held a reception on July 22 on the steamship Katahdin to officially welcome their new executive director, Angela “Angie” Arno of Dover-Foxcroft.
    For Arno, it was definitely familiar territory. She and her husband, Scott, and two children have a camp on First Roach Pond; and her grandfather, Herb Snow, ran Kokadjo Sporting Camps for 20 years. “I’m actually more of a winter girl because I really enjoy snowmobiling,” said Arno. “I put a lot of miles on the trails up here last season. But I’m really excited about this summer.”

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    NEW DIRECTOR — Angela Arno is the new executive director of the Moosehead Region Chamber of Commerce.

    Arno agreed to accept the position for three months following the unexpected departure of former executive director Suzanne Buchanan in June. “I’m definitely staying until the first weekend of October,” Arno said. “Then we’ll reevaluate the position from both sides. I think that’s the fairest way to do it.”
    One of her first — and top — priorities is to “reconnect with the members,” Arno said, noting that Chamber membership renewal notices go out next month.
    In addition to selling the benefits of Chamber membership, Arno and the Board of Directors are promoting associate memberships for individuals and non-tourism based businesses.
    “We have more than 100 regular members right now, and I’m confident we’ll add more this year,” Arno said.
    Arno has also worked at Flatlander’s Restaurant in Greenville and was the office manager at Tax Pro in Dover-Foxcroft for three years. She also served on the Piscataquis Regional YMCA Board of Directors.
    Liz Cannell, president of the Moosehead Chamber Board of Directors, said that Arno has already made a positive first impression with businesses. “She’s enthusiastic, energetic and familiar with the area,” said Cannell. “She’s jumped right into a very busy season.”
    Cannell is the executive director of the Moosehead Marine Museum, and said that lodging owners are reporting full houses and bookings on the Katahdin are ahead of last year. “So the general sense is that we’re going to have a good summer,” she said.
    Cannell’s father, the late Richard “Duke” McKeil, was the longtime executive director of the Moosehead Marine Museum and a strong promoter of the region. “Somehow, I always thought that I’d wind up in Greenville someday,” Cannell said. “The area has so much to offer.”
    Still, Cannell said that there is still competition for tourist dollars in Maine. “We need to promote the Moosehead Lake ‘brand’ and convince people that it’s worth the trip,” Cannell said. “While we’re isolated compared to coastal communities, we still have people coming up from Bar Harbor to ride the Kate every year. We’re also getting a lot of people who are into outdoor activities like biking and hiking.”
    More information about the Moosehead Lake region is posted at the Chamber’s website: www.mooseheadlake.org.