Gov. Paul LePage announced his nominations Monday for directors of the Maine State Housing Authority and the Maine Technology Institute.
LePage nominated John Gallagher of Bath to be director of the housing authority. Gallagher has been executive director of the Westbrook Housing Authority since 1999.
Robert Martin of Newcastle was nominated to serve as director of the Maine Technology Institute, an industry-led nonprofit organization that promotes the generation of high-quality jobs in the state.
The nominations will be reviewed Sept. 6 by the Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee. If endorsed by the committee, Martin and Gallagher will need confirmation from the Senate.
Gallagher would take over the leadership of the housing authority from Peter Merrill, who has been acting director since Dale McCormick resigned in March under pressure from Republicans who questioned the agency’s spending.
Before working for the Westbrook Housing Authority, Gallagher worked in real estate and managed the development division of the Maine State Housing Authority. The quasi-independent housing authority issues bonds to finance housing for low- and moderate-income families.
“Mr. Gallagher’s many years of experience in housing and real estate, both in the public and private sectors, gives him a keen perspective on how best to deliver MSHA programs to the people of Maine,” LePage said in a prepared statement. “I believe his ability to bridge the communication gap between the public and private sector will serve the people of Maine well.”
Gallagher said in a news release that he looks forward to working with the governor and his administration.
Martin has held executive-level positions with businesses across the country, most recently as managing partner of Strategic Equity Partners LLC.
LePage said Martin’s “extensive background in all facets of the private sector, including technology development and marketing, will provide MTI with new and creative strategies to help Maine entrepreneurs successfully position themselves in the global marketplace.”
Martin said in a news release that he is eager to work with LePage to help Maine businesses “take full advantage of the public resources available to them so that they may better compete in the global market.”
Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:
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