PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce is without an executive director on July 19 after Theresa Fowler, who headed the chamber for 10 years, suddenly left the post.
Lisa Wark, administrative assistant at the chamber office, confirmed Thursday afternoon that the office is currently without an executive director, as did board member Shelley McAtee. Both deferred to the chamber’s board president, Floyd Rockholt, for further information.
Rockholt said Thursday he could not comment on the situation at the present time.
Attempts to reach several other board members were unsuccessful Thursday.
Northeast Publishing Company learned of Fowler’s sudden departure through a short message Fowler sent to the company from a personal email account Thursday, in which she said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to inform you that effective immediately I will not be at the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.”
In her email, Fowler said she was appreciative of all the support she has received while in the position and added, “I hope to be employed again in the area very soon …”
Initial attempts to reach Fowler for further comment were unsuccessful, but she responded via email Thursday evening, saying, “I do not have any comment except that I am no longer employed at the CACC.”
Fowler took the helm of what was the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce in 2008. During her tenure the organization expanded to include other local communities, including Caribou, and became the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
According to a “County Faces” profile that appeared in local weekly newspapers and on FiddleheadFocus.com on Aug. 3, 2016, Fowler worked in banking, later taking a tourism post in Saint John, New Brunswick. Upon moving to Presque Isle with her husband, she volunteered at the chamber for two years before attaining the executive director post.
TheCounty.ME will have further information on this story as it becomes available.
