By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The seven-month transitional period from the former Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the new Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce officially ends on Thursday, June 9 — the same day the new CACC director begins her new job. And she doesn’t even need to move her desk.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Jenny Coon, born and raised in Caribou, begins her new job tomorrow as director of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce
Current interim director of the CACC, Jenny Coon was selected for the job out of what Caribou City Manager Steve Buck called “an exceptional talent pool of [21] applicants.”
According to Buck, Coon shined in the interview process; her current efforts as the interim chamber director aided in her selection as the best candidate for the job.
“We called her out of the blue for the interim position looking for someone to do minimal operational maintenance at the chamber while we finished reorganization efforts, but she did far more; she didn’t just maintain things, she moved the whole chamber forward under the guidance of the Board of Directors,” Buck said. “Her enthusiasm is so pronounced; she clearly has a passion for what she’s doing now and what she wants to accomplish in the future.”
Citing Coon’s efforts organizing the Chamber’s Annual Recognition Dinner and her incredibly brief turn-around with organizing a Farmers’ Market for Caribou (and establishing all the by-laws that go with it), “if that’s any indication whatsoever as to what we can expect in the future, it’s going to be a fantastic working relationship.”
Being born and raised in Caribou, Coon knew that annual events like Winter Carnival, the Annual Recognition Dinner and the City Wide Yard Sale would still need to be planned regardless of the seven-month transition period from CCC&I to the CACC; simply “maintaining” the chamber wasn’t an option.
“Events still needed to happen and we couldn’t let the community down,” she said.
Coon cites the agricultural heritage in her blood regarding her enthusiasm in organizing the new Caribou Farmers’ Market; in fact, it’s hard to tell whether she’s more exited about being chosen as the new Chamber director or the opening of the new market.
Even though she doesn’t officially become the permanent director until tomorrow, Coon is settling into her new position and planning events like Caribou Cares about Kids and the popular third annual Tie-Dye Day. She’s also added to the services offered through the chamber by becoming a notary public.
Coon currently resides in Caribou with her husband, Matthew, and her children Nolan, 3, and Lily, 2.
