The Maine Beaches Association has chosen Ed Hodgdon as its new grant manager. Hodgdon replaces Paige Farmer, who is leaving the regional tourism group for the Southern Maine Beaches area after more than two decades of leadership.

Ed Hodgdon, former marketing and IT manager at FuntownSplashtown, has been named grant manager for the Maine Beaches Association. Courtesy photo

“We are excited to work with Ed to help forge a bright new future for the Maine Beaches Association,” said Laura Dolce, Maine Beaches Association chairman and the executive director of the Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber of Commerce, in a May 1 news release. “Ed has served on the board since 2008, so we know it will be a smooth transition and he’ll continue the exemplary work Paige has done for so long.”

Dolce said the association members were grateful for Farmer’s leadership during challenging times, and that she worked tirelessly to help raise the profile of the Maine Beaches region across the U.S. and Canada.

“I know Ed will bring his creativity and professionalism and help build on the work Paige has done,” Dolce said.

Hodgdon said he was excited to get started in the position, which he’ll begin on July 1.

“I am looking forward to this new role within the Maine Beaches Association,” Hogdon said in an email, “and I will continue the great work that Paige and the board has done to promote the Maine Beaches region as the premier four-season destination in Maine.”

Hodgdon started Hodgdon Consulting, a marketing consulting company, in 2021. Prior to that, he worked at Funtown Splashtown USA for more than 20 years, first as a seasonal cashier and then working his way up to becoming the park’s marketing and IT manager. Hodgdon oversaw the park’s advertising budget, marketing initiatives, media relations, special and group events and IT infrastructure.

He also is also the secretary of NEAAPA – The Northeast’s Entertainment Association, which is a regional trade association for the attractions industry. The association covers the six New England states and New York. He has served in the role since 2011.

When Hodgdon is not working, he can be found visiting theme parks and spending time with his family. Ed resides in Scarborough with his husband, Martin.