Callanan and Board President Megan Rochelo investigating pedestrian safety with Maine DOT in Biddeford.

Ezekiel Callanan, a Camden native and graduate of University of Maine School of Law, became the Executive Director on November 30, 2009. Callanan completed his undergraduate degree at University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT, where he majored in psychology and minored in anthropology. In law school, Callanan focused on intellectual property law and business planning.

Callanan is excited to bring his experiences founding and building Maine Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (www.mainevla.org) to the larger stage of downtown Biddeford, Maine. He considers himself a big picture thinker who focuses on progressive, positive planning. ”I see the City of Biddeford as one boiling over with potential,” says Callanan. “I believe that Biddeford is in a pivotal geographic position to be a leader in taking initiatives to develop its local commerce while being environmentally conscious.”

The Heart of Biddeford is a Main Street Maine community. It seeks to present the downtown itself as a destination-rather than any one single business–creating a friendly, safe, clean environment for people to come and enjoy themselves. The Heart of Biddeford received its Main Street Maine designation in the summer of 2006, one of eight other Maine communities to receive such a coveted designation. Callanan sees Downtown Biddeford as a perfect fit for the Main Street Maine program.

To reach Zeke directly, email him at zeke@heartofbiddeford.org.