Commissioner Heather Johnson of the Department of Economic and Community Development has appointed Jeff McCabe as the new director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR).
McCabe’s promotion comes as his predecessor, Carolann Ouellette, takes on a broader role as director of Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Film, overseeing the Maine Office of Tourism and its subsidiary offices.
The timing of McCabe’s appointment coincides with a period of growth in Maine’s outdoor recreation sector. Recent data reveals that the industry expanded by an impressive 16.5% in 2022, contributing $3.3 billion to the state’s GDP and supporting approximately 32,000 jobs.
Commissioner Johnson expressed confidence in McCabe’s ability to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessors. I am pleased that Jeff will be able to seamlessly continue and build upon the important work being done in outdoor recreation to contribute to Maine’s economy,” Johnson explained.
Since its establishment, MOOR has played a crucial role in convening stakeholders and creating significant public-private partnerships.
Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, McCabe stated, “Maine’s Outdoor Recreation economy is strong and growing. It has been an honor to work with and to hear from those in the industry from across the state and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Ouellette also expressed support for McCabe’s appointment. “I am pleased to see Jeff take on this new role and look forward to continuing our work together. The intersection of Maine’s outdoor tourism assets and the outdoor recreation industry offers many opportunities for continued growth as well as terrific experiences for visitors to our state,” Ouellette explained.
According to a press release, Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR), established in 2019, is dedicated to promoting the state’s outdoor recreation assets and heritage to grow its outdoor economy. MOOR also works in collaboration with public and private sector partners.