The Portland Trails board of trustees on June 28 announced that Jon Kachmar has been named the organization’s next executive director. According to the news release, Kachmar has decades of experience leading programs focused on coastal and marine habitat, land conservation, urban greening, and connecting people with nature.

Jon Kachmar Courtesy photo

“We held a nationwide, inclusive search, and Jon rose to the top in a unanimous decision by the board,” said Paul Botticello, president of Portland Trails’ board of trustees, in an email. “We are thrilled to have him in this role. Jon’s deep leadership experience with trails, land trusts, and conservation organizations, coupled with his reputation as a credible and thoughtful leader, give us confidence in what’s next for Portland Trails.”

Most recently the executive director of the Eastern Trail, Kachmar, according to Portland Trails, has extensive experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work and community engagement projects. He was also part of the first cohort of the First Light Learning Journey, a collaboration between Maine organizations and Wabanaki communities, alongside Portland Trails representatives.

“Portland Trails’ long history of connecting open spaces and neighborhoods via trails is a testament to how much people value getting outside and enjoying the outdoors,” said Kachmar in an email. “I look forward to engaging in this work as we consider affordable housing needs, equity across our great city, alternative transportation options, and sustainable development initiatives. I truly believe trails and other active transportation infrastructure are key to our collective health and wellbeing.”

Kachmar is a long-time Portland resident and a volunteer on the Land Bank Commission. In his spare time, he enjoys spending his time outdoors fly fishing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and biking. He will start on July 10 and will work with Portland Trails’ current Interim Executive Director, Dana Totman, to transition into his new role.

Last call for Electrify Everything! rebate program

South Portland expects funding for Electrify Everything!, a program that provides rebates on electric consumer goods, to run out by the end of the summer. The city announced that the final day to submit an application for rebates on electric vehicles, electric lawn care equipment, and e-bikes is July 31.

Residents seeking rebates through the program for the purchase of air source heat pumps and/or heat pump hot water heaters must submit a signed contract by July 31 in order to reserve funding for the project. Installation and final Electrify Everything! application must be completed by Dec. 31, 2023.

After July 31, residents who would like to inquire about the availability of funding for a rebate prior to making a purchase may do so by contacting South Portland Sustainability Director Julie Rosenbach at 207-347-4148. If funding remains, these purchases will be added to a reservation list. Residents must then submit a completed application no later than Aug. 31, 2023.

Residents earn college accolades

The University of Maine at Farmington announced its dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester. Local students include:

*Cape Elizabeth: Julianna Halstrom, Honors;

*Scarborough: Cooper Davis, High Honors; Meghan Henderson, High Honors; Keira McGrath, Honors; Iris Mikeska, High Honors; Kennedy Todd, Honors; Tyler Wright, Honors;

*South Portland: Lillian Aldrich, Honors; Truly Chillemi, High Honors; Michala Cox, High Honors; Rachel Foster, High Honors; Megan Melanson, High Honors; Ky Terroni, Honors.