After a long and arduous search, the Gorham Business and Civic Exchange recently selected its new Executive Director.

Dana Redmond accepted this responsibility and officially took over on July 5. It is her goal to have a smooth transition and keep everything running the same.

“No one can take the place of Ginny,” Dana said, referring to Virginia Wilder Cross, who had been the Exchange’s executive director for the past five years. “She has done so much and is really irreplaceable.”

Dana lives in Gorham with her husband, Bill, and daughter, Mary. Mary is a fifth-grader at Village School. They moved to Maine from San Diego, Calif., in 2000, after selling their candy business. “We moved here for the quality lifestyle. Living near family, experiencing the changes of seasons, was important to us,” Dana continued.

They stayed with her husband Bill’s family in Scarborough before buying their home in Gorham. “We love Gorham,” Dana said, “people care about each other and help to support each other here.”

Dana had been working in the Gorham School District as a substitute teacher and most recently as an educational technician. She also wrote a monthly column in the “Your Neighbors” section of the Portland Press Herald, where she focused on stories about people and places that impressed her in Gorham.

“I am so pleased to be involved with the Exchange. I admire what they have accomplished. Most recently the Golf Scramble they sponsored at Gorham’s Country Club raised over $4,500 for college scholarships for graduating seniors at GHS,” Dana said. “Our annual family barbeque in September is for members and guests, so that will be a fun way to get to meet everyone.”

The Gorham Business and Civic Exchange’s mission is to promote business in Gorham and business involvement in the Gorham community. They will have an informational booth at the upcoming Family Fair on Aug. 20. To learn more about the the organization, call 892-5515.