Dana Connors, President & CEO of Workforce Brokers LLC, is the most recent addition to FocusMaine’s Leadership Team. Connors is the fifth new member to be added to FocusMaine’s leadership team in 2024.

Residing in southern Maine, Dana F. Connors is the current President and CEO of Workforce Brokers LLC. Previously, Connors served as president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Maine’s most respected and influential pro-business advocacy organization which represents a diverse network of 5,000 businesses statewide. For over 30 years, Connors oversaw the association’s many activities including its advocacy efforts, economic & workforce development initiatives, international trade opportunities, and a wide variety of member services on behalf of the state’s business community.

“Dana was an integral part of FocusMaine’s inception and following growth. We are thrilled to welcome him to our Leadership Team. His expertise in economic development in Maine will be invaluable as we continue to pursue enhanced opportunity and prosperity for all Mainers,” said FocusMaine President, Co-chair, and Co-founder, Andrea Cianchette Maker.

Connors began his career as the city manager of Presque Isle. Hired in 1968, Connors was the
youngest person to hold a city manager’s position in Maine up to that time and held that position for 16 years, an unusually long tenure for municipal government. He spent 11 years as commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation with the distinction of serving under two administrations. He was first appointed by Democrat Gov. Joseph Brennan in 1984 and was subsequently retained by Republican Gov. John McKernan.

Although officially hired by the Chamber in the fall of 1994, Connors served as Governor Angus King’s transition team director. The Maine Chamber Board of Directors was pleased to “loan” Connors to the new governor-elect in order to assist in the selection of key cabinet and administration appointments as well as ensure a smooth transition process.

As the leader of the state’s largest and most diverse business association, Connors dedicated his energy to achieving goals that enhanced prosperity for all Maine people. In 1995 he founded Maine and Company; the state’s premiere entity for business attraction to the state. To foster international trade relationships, Connors accompanied Governor Angus King on his trade mission to Japan in the fall of 1998. He also successfully led the campaign for a wider turnpike, was appointed by Democrat Gov. John Baldacci to sit on the Dirigo Health Agency Board, as well as taking a prominent role in many state initiatives from healthcare to energy and tax reform to transportation issues.

A Maine Native, Connors received his B.A. in Public Management from the University of Maine.
In 2014, inducted to the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, and most notably, in 2015 awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maine, Orono, his alma mater. He has served on several boards including two that were Governor appointed: the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and the State of Maine Governor’s Business Roundtable for Early Childhood Development.

Other boards Dana has served on include: Maine Economic Research Institute, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and Maine and Company. Connors has received numerous awards for service and leadership to the state of Maine including:

• Awarded Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maine, Orono in 2015;
• 2022 MDF President’s Award in recognition of his longtime partnership in MDF’s work, and his dedication to equitable, sustainable economic development;
• Educate Maine’s 2022 Weston L. Bonney Education Leadership Award for being a courageous leader and champion for education in Maine;
• 2022 Tributes in the Congressional Record were presented by Sen. Collins and representatives for Sen. Angus King.

In addition to Connors, the FocusMaine Leadership Team includes:

• Andrea Cianchette Maker, FocusMaine President and Co-Chair
• Michael Dubyak, FocusMaine Co-Chair and Former President, CEO and Chairman of WEX, Inc.
• Michael Bourque, President and CEO, MEMIC
• Jay Dearborn, Chief Strategy Officer, WEX, Inc.
• Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President, University of Maine & UMaine Machias
• John Fitzsimmons, PhD, President, Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges
• Ed McKersie, Founder and President, ProSearch, Inc.
• Kristen Miale, Managing Director, Caswell Advisory Group
• Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, Department of Administrative and Financial Services
• Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO, Maine State Chamber of Commerce