MEMA’s new President and CEO Charlie Summers, former State Senator, former Secretary of State and Former Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, was welcomed just over two months ago by MEMA staff and membership. From his first day in the office he hasn’t stopped moving MEMA’s mission forward with fresh ideas, thoughtfulness and innovative solutions.
Charlie has hit the ground running with apparent respect for the Association and for the membership. From his first few days in the office it has been his goal to visit each and every member. Within just a week he set off to Northern Maine to make pay visits to the members whom MEMA has been less accessible to over the years due to distance.
Charlie’s voicemail and email were full before he started and the Association had about a year’s worth of comments, projects, approvals, and questions to be taken care of. All challenges he was willing to take on in his role as President and CEO.
Charlie, an Iraq War Veteran has shined light on MEMA’s patriotism and along with it a comradery both within the membership and the students at MTEC. His unique experiences in the military have given him a keen eye to see areas that require improvement and immediate attention. It is this sensibility that will keep MEMA thriving and relevant as we approach the end of 2020. A year we all shared a commonality of unchartered territory as we were faced with a global pandemic and all the unknowns.
Staff at MEMA have heard Charlie say “it’s time that we start telling our own story because if we don’t, someone else will tell it for us.”
Improvements have been made to the building and the school within a short period of time. It is important that the staff and our members have a place that they are proud of. Charlie takes pride in his work, the Association, the staff, and the building that encapsulates all that we do. This ethic and energy is contagious to all who set foot here, including the students at MTEC. The first group of students who graduated from MTEC while Charlie has been President were all given a handwritten message of congratulations along with a press release announcing their graduation, a practice that MEMA plans to continue for all students moving forward.
There is much that can be said about Charlie’s incredible career in business and politics, but most notable is his experience in PR Marketing and Project Management. There’s no better person to represent the Fuel Dealers in Maine. Charlie thinks in taglines and we think he must feed his family ideas for breakfast. This coupled with his inside knowledge and connections in Augusta make him an incredible asset to the Association and we are honored to have him.
Charlie has served in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 1996 as a public affairs officer, currently holding the rank of Captain (CAPT). As of December 1, 2019, he was serving as Commanding Officer, Naval Reserve Naval Information U.S. Naval Forces Europe-
Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet.
His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and various other service awards. From the bottom of our hearts, the staff at MEMA welcomes Charlie aboard and look forward to the future of the Association with him as our President and CEO.
