David Brenerman, former Portland Mayor, City Councilor, and state legislator named Portland Regional Chamber’s 2018-19 Leadership in the Public Sector award recipient

The Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday, January 17, that David Brenerman, former Portland Mayor, City Councilor, and State Legislator is its 2018-29 award recipient for Leadership in the Public Sector. Brenerman will receive his award at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual event, Imagine Portland, January 30 at Brick South, On Thompson’s Point in Portland.

Brenerman served as an At-large Portland city councilor beginning in 1982, and was Mayor from 1984 to 1985. Brenerman also served as a state legislator from Portland from 1976 to 1982, and was the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party from 1981 to 1984. After a long career at Unum, Brenerman returned to the Portland City Council in 2014 representing District 5 and served until 2017.

The Leadership in the Public Sector Award is awarded to an individual or organization that contributes to the Greater Portland community through active leadership or individual efforts in civic or charitable activities, helps foster a climate of economic prosperity, and leads through the public sector. Last year’s award recipients were Brit Vitalius, of the Vitalius Real Estate Group, and Heather Sanborn, of Rising Tide Brewing Company.

“Councilor Brenerman has been fixture in Portland, and the work he has done to bolster economic development in the city cannot be praised enough,” said Quincy Hentzel, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO. “David has helped foster a healthy relationship between public and private-enterprises in the city for more than three decades. Without his steady guidance, vision, and willingness to collaborate, I have no doubt Portland and the Region would not be as vibrant as it currently is.”

During his most recent service on the Portland City Council, Brenerman chaired the council’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) for two years. During that time, Brenerman led the Committee and the City Council through a period of tremendous economic growth, particularly downtown, and laid the foundation for growth in West Bayside and on the Eastern Waterfront. Brenerman also helped develop the Office of Economic Opportunity, which helps integrate new Mainers into the Portland Region’s workforce and economy.

“There are countless initiatives that we here at the Chamber have taken on that simply would not have been possible without Councilor Brenerman,” said Hentzel. “From our work in economic development to our continuing partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity, David’s contributions will continue to help Portland grow in the years to come.”

Brenerman has also been leader for several non-profit organizations, such as the past President of the board of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Past President and current board member of the Portland Public Library, and the current President of the board for Creative Portland.
 
About Imagine Portland
Imagine Portland is the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual event and award presentation. Each year the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce names an award winner in four categories: Leadership in the Private Sector, Leadership in the Public Sector, Leadership in Economic Development, and a Visionary Volunteer of the Year. Last year the event drew more than 800 people from the Portland Region.