Chandler Woodcock, 61, of Farmington, Maine, was named as Gov. Paul LePage’s commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on February 10.
Woodcock has been the executive Director of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association for the past two years and served as the second vice president of Harness Horsemen International's board of directors. Kentucky’s Gabe Prewitt will replace Woodcock on the HHI Board.
Woodcock is a former Republican state senator who ran for governor in 2006 but lost to Democratic incumbent John Baldacci. He is a retired English teacher, lifelong sportsman, and harness racing enthusiast.
“My grandfather was a trainer at Lewiston and I worked as a groom for the Cushing family in the early 2000s,” Woodcock recalled. “Though I’m excited about serving the state of Maine, I’ll certainly miss my involvement with the standardbred community as I love going to the tracks and watching the horses. Harness horsemen are an extremely dedicated group of people in a very family-oriented business.”
Woodcock, a graduate of the University of Maine, served on the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, and was a member of the state senate from 2000 to 2006.
Harness Horsemen International -- headed by president Gene Oldford -- is comprised of harness horsemen’s associations from throughout the United States and Canada.
(HHI)