Economist, State Planning Office

Age: 25

Home: Topsham

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I grew up in Camden and went to Camden-Rockport High School. Then I went to Wellesley College in Massachusetts and earned a BA in Economics.

Did you know you wanted to come back to Maine?

Yes, I did. That was always my ultimate goal.

What do you love about Maine?

I like that it's really just one big small town. I like that everybody knows everybody or at least knows somebody that knows everybody. It's hard to go anywhere and be a stranger.

You're an economist by trade. What's something interesting that the average person might not know that is going on in Maine's economy?

The North Star Alliance is something people may not know about. It's funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor given to a few select states or areas as part of the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative. In Maine, the grant is focusing on education, workforce development, R&D, and business in the boatbuilding, marine, and composite industries.

What's the most important thing that will bring or keep young people here?

I think it's really the lifestyle. Maine has a different pace of life. People are more attuned to family, community, and their surroundings. It's not all about 90 hour work weeks.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to read, garden, and cook. Iíve taken a number of cooking classes from local chefs. There are so many good restaurants in Maine. My favorite is Atlantica in Camden - they're a seafood bistro with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients.