AUBURN — Mayor Jason Levesque announced Wednesday the members of his committee on economic development and marketing, which he formed to create a branding campaign for the city to attract more business activity.

Levesque, the owner of Argo Marketing in Lewiston, has talked about forming the ad hoc committee since his inauguration in December, with the goal of raising the profile of Auburn in Maine and beyond. 

A city news release Wednesday lists 16 people, ranging from company chief executives to real estate agents. Levesque described it Wednesday as “a first round” of members, with more to come. 

Among the members are April Shanaman, co-owner of Lost Valley Ski Resort; Phil Savignano, senior tourism officer for the state of Maine; Ethan Kane, a digital marketing manager at Sinclair Broadcasting Group, and Matt Leonard, CEO of Military Talent Source, who will chair the committee. 

Leonard, a former chamber president, also worked on Levesque’s campaign for mayor, as well as the successful anti-merger campaign in last year’s election. 

During his inauguration, Levesque initially said the committee would work within a very short window of 90 days to come up with a branding plan. He said this week that he’d like to have an initial report before the City Council by the end of May, but that the committee will work on a 12-month timeline. 

The format for the committee will also have a unique look.

Due to the number of people involved  — with presumably more to come — Levesque said the committee will use an online program called Ning to conduct much of the communication among the group. The same software was also recently used by the Lewiston-Auburn Joint Charter Commission. Levesque said the group will also hold live meetings, and that public participation will be available on both platforms. The software, he said, has an annual cost of $1,200, which will come from the city manager’s budget. 

Levesque previously said he wanted the committee to include the “best and brightest” from the private sector, as well as business people who he described as having a “vested interest” in Auburn, but do not necessarily live in the city. He said that when he brings business colleagues to Lewiston-Auburn from elsewhere in the state or country, most of them are surprised by what Auburn has.

When talking about the committee in December, Levesque said the effort is “about shrinking the psychological space between Portland and Auburn.” The city has since completed a study on sports tourism. 

Also included on the committee is Levesque’s wife, Tracey Levesque, who is listed as a partner in 64 Lisbon St., LLC, the Argo Marketing corporation.  

When asked about the potential for criticism, Levesque said his wife is “qualified based on her real estate development and marketing experience.” 

Also among the members are Brian and Marnie DuBois of DuBois Realty Group; Jessica Donovan, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, and Steve Wallace, CEO of the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA. 

When the City Council voted recently on a resolve to support the committee, a memo said the committee members will be tasked with creating a list of current city assets and how to “effectively utilize those assets within a marketing strategy.”

The resolve passed 6-0, with Councilor Bob Hayes abstaining.

The committee will report findings and recommendations regularly to the City Council as a scheduled workshop topic.

“I am honored to have these individuals volunteer their time and expertise to help make Auburn the best city in New England,” Levesque said in the news release. “As we explore new ways of fostering business development for existing and new businesses and spreading the message that Auburn is on the move, these initial appointees will be key to our future success.”

arice@sunjournal.com 

Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque, left, pictured last week with Lewiston Mayor Shane Bouchard, announced the members of his economic development and marketing committee on Wednesday. He formed the ad hoc committee in January to create a branding campaign for Auburn. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)

Auburn’s economic advisory committee: 

Matt Leonard (chairman) – CEO, Military Talent Source

Brian Dubois – DuBois Realty Group at Keller Williams Realty

Marnie Dubois – DuBois Realty Group at Keller Williams Realty

Jim Pross – attorney, Skelton, Taintor & Abbott

Debbie Bodwell – vice president, RMS

April Shanaman – co-owner, Lost Valley Ski Resort

Bill David – director of sales, marketing, and corporate relations, Twin City Thunder

Tracey Levesque – principal, 64 Lisbon St LLC

Jessica Donovan – general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch

Josh Pritchard – partner, COO, Anchour

Stephen Gilbert – partner, CEO, Anchour

Matt Kovacevich – principal, Thalo Blue

Phil Savignano – senior tourism officer, state of Maine

Steve Milks – managing partner, Thompson Properties

Ethan Kane – digital marketing manager, Sinclair Broadcast Group

Steve Wallace – CEO, Auburn-Lewiston YMCA