Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Names New Executive Director
The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce has announced that Everal Eaton has been hired as the new Executive Director and will begin his position on April 3rd.
The hiring process was led by the Board-appointed Search Committee including Board members Nina Barufaldi St. Germain, John Bench, Stephanie Clement, Bethany Reece, Brenda Fernald, Stephen Coston and myself. They were joined by Chamber members John Kelly, Lisa Parsons and Victoria Conner. The nation-wide search attracted candidates from Mount Desert Island, the state of Maine and across the U.S. Everal was recommended to the Board, where the vote was unanimously in favor of extending an offer.
Since 2015, Everal worked with the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he was promoted several times, ultimately serving as the Senior Director of Operations. He was crucial in helping the organization through two strategic plans, a rebrand of the organization, and the establishments of the Young Professionals Council, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and the Nonprofit Council. He also worked on the redevelopment of the organization’s membership structure, Ambassador Council and Government Affairs Council. Everal is passionate about volunteering in the community outside of the Chamber, having previously served on the boards of the Osterhout Free Library, Victims Resource Center and NEPA Rainbow Alliance, in addition to having served on volunteer committees for Leadership Northeast, Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals, Wyoming Valley Children’s Association and the Pittston Tomato Festival.
“I am honored to be selected by the Board of Directors to serve as the next Executive Director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce,” said Everal Eaton. “I am a strong believer in the crucial role a Chamber of Commerce plays in the health of a community. It truly is an incredible opportunity to take this position at an organization with such a strong legacy dating back to 1969 when the Chamber was formed. Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island is a beautiful community that I am extremely excited to join. I am looking forward to working with the Chamber staff, board and community in the coming weeks to help the organization meet its mission of promoting business and tourism to the Bar Harbor, Maine community and Acadia National Park.”
Everal will be relocating from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he currently resides, starting in the Chamber office on April 3. He will be in attendance for the first After Hours event at Geddy's on April 6. He will be available by email at everal@visitbarharbor.com