Sande Updegraph, executive director of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, will be stepping down from her position on July 24. She assumed the role in April 2013, and was part of the stakeholder group that began planning for the chamber in 2008 until it was officially incorporated in 2010.
Prior to the chamber, she served as the executive director of the Freeport Economic Development Corporation and also served on the MRRA board for two terms representing Brunswick, a position she was appointed to by Gov. John Baldacci.
Updegraph currently serves on the board of the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and is also president of the Freeport Community Improvement Association, chairwoman of the Davis Fund Committee in Brunswick and a member of the Brunswick Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Times Record: How do you feel about stepping down from your position as executive director of the Freeport chamber this year?
Sande Updegraph: I have mixed feelings about leaving the chamber, but I know that it is time for me to take another direction in my life. The chamber is positioned to accelerate its growth and value to members with new leadership and a fresh approach.
TR: What was the most challenging aspect of your role?
SU: Fulfilling our members’ expectations. Each person joins a business organization for their own specific reasons and needs.
I feel that each of those reasons should be understood and programs, activities, and events should be designed to meet those needs.
TR: What would you say is your proudest accomplishment with your work with the chamber?
SU: In the last two years, the Freeport chamber has achieved an energetic, positive and valuable reputation in Freeport and in surrounding areas. It is now recognized for its ability to connect business people with each other and the community, resulting in strong support for our local businesses.
My direct effort is, and has been, focused on finding and nurturing connections among businesses.
TR: What do you think still needs to be accomplished?
SU: The creation of more productive ways to engage business owners in activities and projects that will directly boost their business success.
TR: In what direction do you hope the chamber will be headed in the future?
SU: I hope the Freeport chamber can be a leader in aligning with other surrounding chambers to develop new approaches to supporting business development and success.
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