FROM THE DESK OF CHARLIE E. SUMMERS

As I write this message, we have just finished our 2024 Northern New England Energy Conference in Bar Harbor - and what a conference it was! The weather was fantastic, the Harborside Ocean Resort beautiful, and most importantly, we were able to spend time together focusing on the essential role we play in Mainers' lives.

The highlight of this year’s education sessions was Kelly King’s presentation on the development and use of biofuels in Hawaii. The follow-up roundtable discussion focused on the importance of these cutting-edge fuels to our energy future, as well as MEMA’s effort to enact Energy Choice legislation in Maine. Points made at the round-table discussion were outstanding and clarified that while we may face headwinds in Augusta and Washington, our state and nation will not realize our climate goals without safe and reliable liquid fuels. Special thanks go out to Kelly and her husband Bob, Lizzie Reinholt, Michael Devine, Molly Ross, and Jake Posik for taking the time to be with us and share their insights. Thanks, too, to Hannah, Megan Diver, Sarah, Colleen, Meghan Sylvester, Roger, Dave, and Rick for their hard work in making our 2024 conference such a success and - most importantlyfor everything they do to make MEMA and MTEC thrive!

I also want to recognize Mike McCormack and Steve McGrath for their leadership as Chairman of the MEMA board and Treasurer respectively. Mike was Chair of the board when I joined the MEMA team in August of 2020, having led our organization through the challenges brought on by changes in senior staff and COVID. Mike then returned to the Chairmanship last year, once again providing guidance, mentorship, and friendship to us all. Steve's service as Treasurer has been equally important to MEMA/MTEC. His keen eye and insight have been invaluable to our budgeting process and his guidance has helped set us on a firm financial path. We are grateful for all these two gentlemen have done and are looking forward to their continued involvement! Going forward, we are so fortunate for our new leadership team of Carter Vaillancourt - Chairman, Casey Cramton - Vice Chair, Katie Foster - Treasurer, and Matt Poole - Secretary. We are in good hands! I thank these individuals for being willing to share their time and talent to help lead and strengthen our great association!

Finally, I'd like to thank you all for your support. You are what makes our Association great and our future bright.

Now, it’s summertime in Maine, let's go out and enjoy it!

Best,

Charlie