SKOWHEGAN - Betsy Bourdeau of Detroit, in Maine, is the new executive director of Main Street Skowhegan, a non-profit organization focused on revitalizing the community's downtown business district.

Bourdeau, who is publisher of Upcountry Chatter, has an extensive background in business management, promotion and marketing.

Before relocating to Maine in 1997, Bourdeau, along with her late husband, operated an overhead-crane manufacturing company in Connecticut. She also ran a ceramics studio and gift shop, and taught adult-education classes.

She is a member of the Skowhegan Rotary Club, the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce, the Skowhegan-Madison Elk Lodge and the Main Street Skowhegan Promotions Committee.

Bourdeau also received the "Outstanding Community Service" award from the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006.

Main Street Skowhegan was designated in the fall of 2005 as one of eight Main Street Maine communities.

The mission of the program is to improve and maintain the downtown area as the heart of Skowhegan, focusing on organization, promotion, design and economic revitalization.