Maine State Chamber CEO resigns, citing personal reasons

Photo / Renee Cordes Julia Munsey, speaking at a Maine State Chamber breakfast Wednesday morning in Portland. Her last day as president and CEO will be this Friday.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

After less than four months as president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Julia Munsey has resigned for personal and family reasons.

The news was announced Thursday in a note from Maine State Chamber Board Chair LuAnn Ballesteros in an emailed note to members. Munsey's last day is this Friday, June 30, according to the note.

"Julia has expressed her sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve the state chamber and her sadness to have to step away from the organization, the team and the great work the chamber does on behalf of Maine and Maine businesses," Ballesteros wrote.

"We are grateful for Julia’s efforts during her time at the chamber and for her dedication to chamber members and the staff. We understand the circumstances of her decision, and the chamber team wishes her all the best."

Ballesteros, an executive at Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, said the executive committee of the chamber's board of directors is in the process of confirming a transition plan, "as we begin the search for a new president and CEO."

Munsey succeeded longtime leader Dana Connors in March, becoming the first woman president to lead the state's largest chamber. The group represents a network of 5,000 businesses at both the state and federal levels on issues that impact Maine's employers and economy.

Connors was honored with a Mainebiz Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year.