Following a two-year period of tumultuous staffing turnovers at Biddeford City Hall, another department head has announced his resignation.
The Biddeford Gazette was able to confirm today that George Gervais– the city’s director of economic and community development — has resigned his position, a little less than 18 months after he was hired by the city.
Gervais was unavailable for comment as of press time. Acting city manager Brian Phinney said Gervais’ last day will be July 31. Phinney said he was not sure what prompted Gervais to offer his resignation.
Gervais previously worked at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development beginning in 2008. Three years later, he was appointed by then Governor Paul LePage to become the department’s commissioner, a role he served until 2018.
Gervais was hired by the city of Biddeford on Jan. 16, 2024.
Former city manager James Bennett lauded Gervais as “the best possible candidate” to replace former director Greg Mitchell last year. “I don’t think we could have done much better,” Bennett wrote in a press release announcing the hiring of Gervais.
After being hired in 2024, Gervais described Biddeford as a “dynamic community that is making significant progress.”
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman was unavailable for comment at press time.
Over the last three years, Biddeford has experienced a significant amount of turnover in several key departments, including the finance and planning departments.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story contained a factual error, stating that Mr. Gervais was the commissioner of the Maine Department of Community and Economic Development from 2008- 2018. Although Gervais began working for the agency in 2008, he was not appointed as commissioner until 2011. We apologize for the error.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 
he was commissioner from 2011-2018, not 2008-2018
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Thank you for the update. The story has been corrected.
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