Richard Leeman is a former association management professional and tourism consultant to the Maine Office of Tourism. His hands-on experience includes consumer outreach, group tour, and motorcoach marketing as well as cruise ship solicitation to Maine ports of call.

He understands Maine’s brand promise will only be kept if all destination marketing organizations, like Visit Portland, provide up-to-date information, insider tips, and visitor services helping travelers get the most out of their trip to our authentic rocky coast and sandy shores.

What is your history with the Greater Portland area?
Claire: I started in dental offices as a chairside dental assistant, I took a break when my children were born, then in 1982 I got a full-time job in Westbrook and worked there until I retired in 2006.
Leroy: I started teaching history at Lincoln Junior High School in Portland, but was most of the time at Deering High School. I taught for a total of 37 years and before I retired.

What is your favorite place in the Greater Portland? Why?
Leroy: I like the Old Port, the fact that there’s always something happening down here. It’s almost like, in some ways, Portland’s kinda like the center of the world, because there are people from all over.

• What is your history with the Greater Portland area? I moved here in 1971 with my own business. I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, I’ve also been with Maine Narrow Gauge for over 20 years and I’m on the board.
• If a visitor only had time to do one thing, what would you recommend? Take Portland Discovery’s cruise. Cruise on a boat or cruise on a trolley. That’s how you’ll learn a lot.
• What is the most surprising thing about Portland? The city has grown so much, and you know, you and I can eat here for the next 365 days. Two things would happen: we would never eat at the same restaurant for the next 365 days, because there’s so many restaurants; and we would get fat!

• Why do you volunteer and what does it mean to you?
  I think this is a great area to live in. So, it’s an easy sell when you’re talking with visitors for me because I’m excited about the area, so it’s not hard for me to come up with suggestions for things for people to do, or why they would want to do things, because there’s just a lot here.
• Why do you love Portland? The area is gorgeous, and it’s easy to experience the beauty of the place. You don’t have to struggle sitting in traffic for three hours to see some water. I can walk to it. You can walk to Munjoy Hill and you can see it. 

• In three words, why should someone come visit Portland? A fun time.  You can have a lot of fun here.
• Lobster roll or whole lobster? Both.  I’m kind of lazy, though. I don’t really like cracking them so much, but I will if I have to. 
• Why do you love Portland? It’s a great place, friendly people. The people are really nice, it’s really welcoming. It’s got a lot of big-city, you know, advantages, like the museum and a lot of theater, and things like that, music. It’s on the water. I enjoy the waterfront and the islands, so all that stuff.

• Do you volunteer at other locations? If yes, where? I have been on the board of Friends of Scarborough Marsh for 15 years. As well as the treasure of my college class and the treasurer of my golf league
• How long have you volunteered?
  I was part of the original staff working at the 245 Commercial Street location. I believe I started volunteering in 2006, and moved to a paid position in 2010.
• What is your favorite place in the Greater Portland area, and why?
  I go out to lunch once a month with friends, and we like to try new local places each time. But I would say my top is Pine Point at low tide during good weather. It feels like you have endless beach to walk.