Gervais steps down as state economic development director
Courtesy / Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
George Gervais, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, is stepping down, effective June 22.
George Gervais, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, will step down, effective June 22.
Gov. Paul R. LePage made the announcement Wednesday.
"Under George's leadership we have seen our economy grow," LePage said in the press release. "George has worked collaboratively across departments to increase trade and tourism with tremendous success. I thank him for his service to the people of Maine."
Gervais has been in the LePage administration for most of the two terms. He’s the state’s longest-serving DECD commissioner, LePage said.
"I deeply appreciate the opportunities and relationships developed over the last decade at DECD," said Gervais. "I am especially grateful to Gov. LePage for the trust and confidence he placed in me as commissioner to help the LePage administration position Maine as being open for business."
LePage credited Gervais with aggressively expanding the state’s “reach across the globe — opening new markets for Maine businesses and strengthening relationships leading to new investments in several Maine companies.”
Since 2011, DECD has certified close to 200 Maine businesses in the Pine Tree Development Zone program, in turn creating 8,000 new jobs with a payroll of more than $1.4 billion and new private investment totaling more than $1.5 billion.
Denise Garland, DECD's deputy commissioner, was appointed as acting commissioner.
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