To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region.
MacPhail, 57, is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and says the new job fits like a glove.
“This is the stuff I get excited about,” MacPhail explains. “This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of community engagement and growth.”
MacPhail is quick to point out that the Chamber is much more than a business networking group. The membership also includes dozens of non-profit organizations, local government representatives and individuals working on a wide variety of projects.
“We’re not here to just do ribbon cuttings and after-hours social mixers,” MacPhail said. “We’re here to engage and raise awareness about so many of the incredible businesses and organizations that are the backbone of this community.”
MacPhail took over the Chamber’s helm in November following the sudden departure of former director Matt Lewis who was fired after only six months on the job.
MacPhail declined to speculate why the Chamber’s board decided to let go of Lewis. Instead, MacPhail is focused on some changes he’s planning to make.
“In some ways, I am putting things back together,” he said. “We’re working to build stronger relationships – paving the way for our members to be more engaged and more visible.”
The Chamber, MacPhail says, can advocate for area businesses on issues that affect and impact the entire community, such as workforce development and the need for affordable housing.
“Businesses rely on stable, quality employees,” he explains. “We need to partner with government officials and others to make sure that we’re not putting up barriers or ignoring the needs of the private sector.”
In terms of local government officials, MacPhail is married to Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail.
Alex says that relationship does not present any tangible conflicts of interest.
“Sure, we talk about stuff privately,” he says. “But we do a really good job of staying in our own lanes.”
MacPhail previously worked for the Chamber in 2019 as a market specialist and volunteered at the Chamber long before his wife was elected to the Saco City Council and then later as the city’s mayor.
A native of the Boston area, MacPhail said he discovered the Biddeford-Saco region when his family would visit Old Orchard Beach in the summers.
“How can you not love this place,” he says, rattling off the region’s attributes including stunning natural resources, historical attributes and solid infrastructure.
MacPhail is a musician and plays the guitar. After high school, he wound up living in the Los Angeles area where he ended up becoming involved in the music industry and band management.
“Networking and building relationships have always come to me naturally,” he explains. “I see potential, and I get excited about it.”
The Chamber of Commerce works closely with other business advocacy groups including the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street.
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“I see potential, and I get excited about it.”
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All three organizations receive some public funding from the cities of Biddeford and Saco.
When asked if that funding is redundant, MacPhail says there is some overlap but all three organizations have a different focus.
“The Heart of Biddeford is awesome,” MacPhail says. “But their focus is limited to just the downtown area. We represent and work with organizations all across the cities, in the industrial parks, the business parks and different neighborhoods.”
MacPhail says the Chamber offers its members a wide range of benefits, including analytical data regarding local trends and demographics.
“When you join the Chamber, you suddenly become part of a much larger organization. You are connected and have a strong advocate in your corner,” he said.
MacPhail says he is excited about some new projects and resurrecting some former projects such as publishing a regional business guidebook.
“This is the kind of job that you have to love in order to do it well,” he said. “We have a great board of directors that are fully committed. I get up every morning excited to go to work.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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