Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 19

Craig Pendleton · Class of 1978 · Chamber Professional of the Year
Craig Pendleton '78 was named the
Chamber Professional of the Year
by the Maine State Chamber of
Commerce for 2017.
As a fisherman 41 years ago,
Pendleton did not know he would
wind up as the Executive Director
of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber
of Commerce + Industry but
through the years, his interest in
politics and making a difference in
his community brought him to the
role he has today.
"I didn't know what I wanted to
do, but I knew I was always an
advocate," Pendleton says.
He continued on to say he has
always believed in leading by
example and has held strong that
"we have to find a way to work
together" – whether it be the
Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance
(of which he was the first Executive
Director) or the Chamber.
The Biddeford + Saco Chamber of
Commerce is incredibly diverse
with members as large as Southern
Maine Health Center, employing
over 2,500, to individual business
owners and chain retailers.
Pendleton has categorized them
into three large groups: Workforce
Development, Economic
Development, and Hospitality/
Tourism.
As for Pendleton's long-term vision
for Biddeford and Saco? He shares
that the area could greatly benefit
from having a function facility that
can host 750-1,000 individuals
for meetings, concerts, plays, and
conventions.
Photos clockwise from top left courtsey of Alison Cyr, Craig Pendleton, and Kelly Brewer
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