By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Councilor Walt Elish has yet another title to add to his long list of endeavors, following his recent appointment to the 12-member Executive Committee that helps guide the Maine Municipal Association, a non-profit organization that serves municipal officials and employees throughout the state.
Elish replaces former Hampden Mayor Matthew Arnett on the MMA Board. Arnett’s decision to step down from MMA and as mayor of Hampden in March was based on the family’s decision to move to South Carolina.
Elish, who serves as president and chief executive officer of Aroostook Partnership for Progress, has extensive community involvement in the Presque Isle area, including several years as a city councilor. He’s also served on boards with the Northern Maine Empowerment Zone, Aroostook County Tourism committee, Nordic Heritage Ski Center and currently serves on the board for the Catholic Foundation of Maine. Elish and his family moved to Aroostook County in 1996.
Born in Pennsylvania, Elish holds a master’s degree un urban and regional planning from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Slippery Rock University. Prior to moving to Maine, Elish held key economic development positions in Wisconsin and Tennessee. He and his wife, Therese, have two children, Anne and Paul.
It was Elish’s extensive experience and reputation that led MMA officials to name Elish to fill the vacancy.
“When I started nosing around about this vacancy, Walt’s name kept coming up and everyone had great things to say about him,” said Mark Green, president of MMA’s Executive Committee and manager in the town of Sanford. “I’m thrilled that someone with his background has agreed to serve.”
Elish hopes his time with MMA and what he learns with the organization will help benefit Presque Isle and other communities.
“I look forward to serving on the MMA Executive Committee and being actively engaged in issues that potentially could impact Presque Isle and other communities around the state,” said Elish.