AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage’s nominee to lead the state Department of Labor withdrew her nomination Thursday, saying she wants to focus her efforts on a new business she launched at the end of last year.

Cheryl Russell, 52, of Chester was nominated last week by LePage. Early in her career, she spent 17 years working for her family company, Hanington Bros. Inc., a third-generation logging company operating in northern and eastern Maine. She’s also worked for Husson University and the American Loggers Council.

More recently, she founded Competitive Edge Consulting LLC. Late last year, that company launched a subsidiary called Go Figure!, which helps professional women advance their careers.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Russell said in an interview after the governor’s office announced her withdrawal.

The Go Figure! website describes Russell as a life coach and image consultant who counsels women, particularly those who struggle with their weight and body image.

“The response has been phenomenal, far beyond my expectations,” she said.

Russell said she realized over the past week that her passion is working with people one-on-one, not running a big government agency.

“I’m at a place in my career where there are qualified women and they lack confidence,” she said.

In a statement, LePage said he “regretfully accepted her decision.”

“Cheryl Russell has informed me that she has some business matters that she must continue attending to that prevent her from serving in my Cabinet,” he said. “I appreciate Cheryl’s strong interest in serving the people of Maine and wish her continued success as a business leader.”

LePage spokesman Dan Demeritt said the governor’s staff will reopen the search for a labor commissioner.

MaineToday Media State House Writer Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at:

scover@mainetoday.com

 

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