Carl W. Flora, the President & CEO of the Loring Development Authority (LDA), performs the chief executive functions of the organization that owns, manages, and oversees the redevelopment of the former Loring Air Force Base. Carl began his service to the LDA in 1995 as the LDA's Vice President & General Counsel. He subsequently served as its President & CEO in acting capacity before his permanent appointment to that position in January 2005.
Carl was born and raised in Presque Isle, Maine. After attending Bates College in Lewiston, he earned a law degree from St. Louis University and subsequently returned to Presque Isle to establish a private law practice in 1980. In 1987, he moved to Augusta, Maine where he served as Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.
In 1995, Carl joined the Loring Development Authority and returned to Presque Isle where he lives with his wife, Paula, and three children, Kathleen, Matthew, and Richard. During Carl's eight year tenure as Vice President & General Counsel he held many responsibilities related to the evolution and development of the Loring Commerce Centre, including the lease and sale of property at Loring, day-to-day operation of the Loring facilities, and marketing of the facilities for civilian reuse. In addition to his many daily management responsibilities, Carl worked within the complex base closure process to develop agreements with the Air Force that allowed the LDA to obtain title to the real property at Loring He continues to lead the development of Loring's capacity to host new business and industry which includes support for aviation, manufacturing and telecommunications-based industry. Carl brings to the organization a valuable background in the areas of real estate development, environmental regulation, and commercial and real estate law.
Carl Co-Chairs Grow DFAS, the group that led the efforts to expand the Defense Finance & Accounting Services Center in Limestone after the Department of Defense had recommended closing the center. He serves on the board for Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and is Chairman of the Board for The Aroostook Medical Center. He also serves on the Northern Maine Empowerment Council for Northern Maine Development Commission, the Board of Visitors for the University of Maine Presque Isle, the Advisory Board for the Loring Applied Technology Center and the Public Advisory Committee for the Aroostook County Transportation Study. Carl is an alumnus of Leadership Maine.