OLD ORCHARD BEACH — In 1998, James “Bud” Harmon, agreed to fill in as the interim Executive Director for the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Three months turned into 17 years, and Harmon stayed on as the director, and will be retiring on May 29.
Harmon and his wife purchased a hotel off East Grand Avenue in 1977, and Harmon was elected to the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 1978, serving in various capacities and for many years as treasurer.
Harmon was acknowledged by the town Tuesday night for his work in the community.
“He’s been a good friend to Old Orchard Beach,” said Assistant Town Manager Louise Reid. Working with Harmon was always fun, and even the most difficult projects were filled with laughter and always successful, she said.
Under Harmon’s leadership, the chamber has grown from a one room building with no hot water to a modern facility with a visitor’s center, said Reid. Harmon was also instrumental in getting a seasonal train service to Old Orchard Beach, she added.
Harmon was appointed to the Maine Tourism Commission in 2009 by then-Governor John Baldacci. He was recognized by the State of Maine 123rd Legislature for the Advancement of Tourism in Southern Maine, is a past recipient of the State Tourism Excellence Award presented by Governor Paul LePage at the Annual Governor’s Conference of Tourism in Augusta, and was the recipient of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of the Year” award. He is the current chairman of the Maine Beaches Association.
“I’ve always been very proud of Old Orchard Beach,” said Harmon, and the town had many “wonderful people” with a strong sense of civic pride.
Town Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill thanked Harmon for his service and his professionalism.
Harmon said after retiring from the position he and his wife will continue to own and manage Moontide Motel, and he plans to catch up with friends and family, do some vegetable gardening, relax and travel.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribunecom.
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