AUGUSTA – Senate President Troy Jackon of Allagash testified in support of four Aroostook County residents nominated to serve on the Loring Development Authority during a confirmation hearing before the Legislature’s Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business on Tuesday. The committee unanimously approved the nominations of Timothy D. Crowley of Caribou, Kris Doody of Caribou, Suzie S. Paradis of Fort Kent and Benjamin M. Shaw of Mapleton. 

“Each of these individuals has an impressive track record, whether it’s improving lives, embracing new economic opportunities or investing in the future of Aroostook County. The Loring Commerce Centre holds so much potential. It’s already made history as the site of the first biofuel commercial rocket launch in the country,” said President Jackson. “I’m confident that by leveraging the strengths and commitment of these four Aroostook County residents, the Loring Development Authority can continue to revitalize the former Loring Air Base and bring new economic opportunities to rural Maine.”

• Timothy D. Crowley is President of Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, where he has dedicated more than three decades training the next generation of Maine workers. Under his leadership, Northern Maine Community College was named one of the top 150 community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute. Crowley currently serves on the Maine Community Foundation Board and the Maine Community Foundation Aroostook County Committee Board. He is also a member of the Presque Isle Rotary Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Southern Maine.

• Kris Doody, RN, MSB, FACHE, is the CEO of Cary Medical Center in Caribou and Pine Health Services in Caribou, where she oversees more than 650 employees. Throughout her tenure, Doody has earned national recognition for her leadership and commitment to advancing access to quality, rural health care. Last year, Doody was named one of the nation’s top 60 rural hospital CEOs to know by Becker’s Hospital Review. In Aroostook County, Doody has been an active member of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress since 2006, and played a role in both the development of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at Loring and Loring Job Corps Center. Doody also has served as the chair of the Maine Hospital Association Board of Directors and the chair of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees. She is a registered nurse with a degree from the University of Maine, and also holds an MBA from Husson College.

• Suzie Paradis is the Town Manager of Fort Kent and the Economic Development Director for the town of Madawaska. In both roles, she has developed relationships with area businesses, agencies, principal clients and individuals throughout Aroostook County and the state of Maine. She is a member of the Economic Development Partnership, the Maine Career Development Association and the Aroostook Managers Association. Paradis previously worked as Economic Development Director for the towns of St. Agatha and Frenchville, and served as President of the Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce. 

• Benjamin M. Shaw is Chief Operating Officer at the Thompson Financial Group in Presque Isle, having served previously as the Chief Business Officer for the University of Maine Presque Isle. Before his work with the University of Maine System, Shaw spent 12 years working for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at Loring Commerce Centre. Shaw is a certified management accountant. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Maine Presque Isle and a Master of Science in Business from Husson University. 

The Loring Development Authority of Maine (LDA) was created in statute upon the closing of the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. The Authority manages the 3,700 acre business, commercial and industrial park, which includes a 1,600-acre aviation complex. It serves as landlord to businesses and provides municipal services to approximately 300 residents and 28 businesses, which employ an estimated 800 workers. LDA works to attract new employment opportunities and jumpstart new economic activity in the area.

The Authority is governed by a 13-member board of trustees, twelve of whom are appointed by the Governor, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over economic development matters and confirmation by the Legislature. No less than seven of the trustees must be from candidates who are residents of Aroostook County and nominated by the primary impact communities. At least four of the remaining appointments must be from candidates who are not residents of Aroostook County. 

Nominations to LDA will go before the Maine Senate for a vote.

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