We are pleased to announce that Justin Chenette is joining our Executive Team, known as the President’s Council, as our new Chief Communications Officer!
As a vital member of the Executive Team, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) will lead strategic efforts across communications, marketing, advancement, business development, legislative affairs, and community engagement. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CCO serves on the President’s Council and oversees the Public Relations & Advancement Department.
In this role, Justin is responsible for strengthening the organization’s public image and visibility while broadening program outreach through multimedia storytelling, advertising, branding, and cross-platform messaging. Justin leads annual philanthropic initiatives, including donor engagement, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and event planning. Additionally, Justin serves as Sweetser’s primary media spokesperson and helps coordinate government affairs, community engagement, and business development strategies.
Justin brings a proven track record of working collaboratively with executive leadership, board members, and key stakeholders to shape legislative priorities and build strong relationships with government leaders through strategic advocacy. He is an outstanding choice for this role. Please join us in congratulating Justin on this exciting new chapter.
Justin’s bio:
Justin Chenette serves as Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, leading all external and internal communications, public relations, business development, government affairs, and advancement initiatives. He joined Sweetser in 2022 as Communications Director and quickly advanced to Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement before joining the C-suite. Justin is a seasoned strategic communicator with a diverse background in journalism, marketing, government, and nonprofit leadership. Before Sweetser, Justin’s career started in journalism, including hosting a statewide TV show in high school and working in TV news during college. He shifted into digital advertising and marketing, founded a scholarship foundation, and continues to operate a strategic communications consulting firm. His varied experience includes serving at all levels of government: municipal, county, state, and federal, as a four-term lawmaker, State Board of Education member, congressional intern, and County Commissioner. He is currently a state appointee on Maine’s Right to Know Advisory Committee. Justin’s achievements have been widely recognized, including being named to The Advocate magazine’s 40 Under 40 list of top leaders nationally, Mainebiz’s 40 Under 40 list, and receiving the Volunteer Service Award from two U.S. Presidents. He holds a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta, a B.S. in Broadcast News from Vermont State University-Lyndon, and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (as a Bohnett Leaders Fellow). Justin was honored with Lyndon’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2019 and UMA’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025. Beyond his professional endeavors, Justin is a published author of ‘The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature’ and has been a newspaper columnist for over a decade.