Dianne Tilton of Harrington will be working with DEI’s volunteer board to manage business operations, financial management, and development.
Tilton was the first Executive Director of the Sunrise County Economic Council and served in that capacity for over 13 years. During her tenure, the organization gained a reputation around Maine for its creative and innovative approach to regional development, and Tilton was recognized for her leadership by several organizations, including the Maine Development Foundation and the Finance Authority of Maine. Since 2006, she has been employed by RHR Smith & Company, CPA’s, a statewide audit and accounting firm.
She served in the 124th and 125th Maine House of Representatives from 2009 to 2012 representing District 33 (Steuben to Beals).
Lynn Alley, Jonesport-Beals High School science teacher, is Chair of DEI’s Board of Directors and said that Tilton’s experience and skills in the nonprofit sector and her legislative experience working with state and community issues make her a natural choice for the organization. “Dianne was a founding Director of DEI and served actively for most of the past 18 years. She knows our history, she believes in our mission, and she has the skills and attributes we need,” Alley said.
Dr. Brian Beal, Professor of Marine Ecology, is both DEI’s Director of Research and Director of UMM’s Marine Field Station. He said that DEI is poised for the next step in its development and needs a seasoned professional to see it through. “DEI just received a generous gift from the Next Generation Foundation to help us build the next phase of the facility at Black Duck Cove,” he said. “Dianne has been a part of that effort, understands it, and can help us make all that happen. She has the ability to lead us to achieve our long-term vision, and that’s what we need right now. We can’t afford to miss a beat, and with Dianne on board, we won’t.”
