Welcome our New Executive Director, Cari Quater

With the upcoming retirement of long-serving Chamber Executive Director, Richard “Rick” Stanley in September, the Chamber’s Board of Directors has appointed Cari Quater as his successor.

Rick Stanley, a graduate of Sanford High School and the University of Northern Colorado, served as Real Estate Broker for The Stanley Agency from 1981 to 1992. In September 1992, he was selected to serve as President of the Sanford Springvale Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held to the present day.

Stanley is a past President of the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (2000–2001), was named York County Development Corp Developer of the Year in 2001 and received the Maine Chamber Executive Director of the Year award in 2009. Additionally, Rick served as President of the Southern Maine Economic Development District. In 2002, Rick was honored with Maine’s 100 Award by then-Governor Angus King Jr., recognizing his exceptional community service and dedication to volunteerism.

Quater joins the Chamber after serving as Operations Manager at the Seacoast Village Project for the past three years, where she successfully recruited members, managed member services, and coordinated social and educational programs. Prior to that position, Quater was the Executive Director of the Old Berwick Historical Society for six years. She comes to the organization with more than fifteen years of experience in non-profit leadership and management. Quater is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and a resident of nearby South Berwick.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cari as the new Executive Director of our Chamber. Her impressive background, strategic insight, and dedication to membership make her the ideal choice to lead us as we continue to expand our impact,” said Rebecca Lapierre, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Quater commented, “I am honored to join the Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce and to work with such talented members of the business community. I look forward to building on the foundation that Rick and the Board have created. Together, we will reinforce our commitment to connect, promote, and educate business members in the community.”

To ensure a seamless transition, Stanley will work with Quater throughout September to transfer institutional knowledge and make key introductions. The Board extends its deepest gratitude to Rick Stanley for his years of dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission.

Founded in 1954, with over 250 local and regional businesses in its membership base, the Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce serves the business community thanks to the support of its volunteer Board of Directors and ambassadors.