BANGOR, Maine — John Porter, president and CEO of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, has handed in his resignation letter.
“It is with a mix of sadness, pride and anticipation that I tell you that I am leaving the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce later this year to become a system director, marketing and communication for MaineHealth in Portland,” Porter’s letter, which was emailed to members Wednesday, stated. “My last day on the job will be Aug. 28.”
A native of Connecticut, Porter is a 1982 graduate of Boston University’s School of Public Communication with a degree in journalism, who started as chamber president Jan. 25, 2010. He came to Bangor half a decade ago from South Portland, where he was principal and founder of John Porter Public Strategies, a communications and government relations firm he started in 2009.
Porter also worked for nearly 20 years as a journalist at the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram. He joined the paper in 1990 as a business reporter, became a columnist and editorial writer in 1997 and was named editorial page editor in 1999. He left the paper in June 2009, when it was sold to new owners.
John Osborne, who retired as general manager of Hollywood Casino in January 2014 after five years in Bangor and more than 30 years in the gambling industry, described Porter as “helpful” to an industry he often opposed in his editorial writings.
“John was one of the most open-minded, professional persons I’ve ever worked with in a chamber environment,” Osborne said Wednesday. “John actually had been on the other side of the gaming argument. A number of the articles he had written were in opposition.”
Osborne anticipated an adversary but found an ally.
“While my presumption was that it was going to be a little bit rocky, what I found was that he was open to seeing the benefit of a business that is sometimes misunderstood … instead of being jaded by some opinions he had in the past,” Osborne said.
He added that Porter has done a really good job leading the chamber’s diverse group of businesses members.
John Diamond, former chairman of the board of directors for the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and a former University of Maine System spokesman and state legislator, said Wednesday he was impressed with Porter’s skill leading the chamber.
“He brought a high level of professionalism and vision,” Diamond said by phone from his home in southern Maine. “He’s really helped advocate for the region in economics as well as the quality of life.”
He also “brought the Bangor business community and nonprofits together to tackle some of the region’s issues,” Diamond said. “It’s been a net gain for the entire region and those two groups.”
With three months before his departure, Porter said he’ll have “time to say a proper farewell to many of you, but I want you to know now just how grateful I am for the opportunity given to me to try to make a difference for this wonderful community.”
Renee Kelly, chamber board chairwoman, is tasked with finding his successor.
“I am confident that with a terrific board and an outstanding staff, the chamber will continue to thrive,” Porter said. “Again, thank you so much for all your support over the years. My family and I are excited about this new chapter but sad to be leaving such a wonderful community and so many good friends in the Bangor Region.”
Established in 1911, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce represents more than 800 member organizations in its service area of 21 communities.