AUGUSTA -- John M. Christie of Washington will take over as the new manager of the Augusta CareerCenter on Aug. 5.

Ned McCann, director of the Bureau of Employment Services, said he is pleased to welcome Christie, who has been a consultant at the Rockland CareerCenter.

In addition to extensive experience as an education and training specialist at the Rockland CareerCenter, he said Christie brings a wealth of private-sector experience as well.

He said Christie has an incredible background that includes operating his own business, publishing, marketing, economics and writing an award-winning best seller.

McCann said he is impressed with Christie's energy, vision, dedication and leadership.

"We are very excited to be able to have John Christie serving as the new Manager of the Augusta CareerCenter," McCann said. "John brings incredible ability, vision, knowledge and experience to the position. His enthusiasm and energy are contagious, and we believe John's leadership in workforce development will be a tremendous benefit to the people of Kennebec County."

Christie will head up a staff of 10 people and replace Sandra Cavanaugh as manager. The Augusta CareerCenter, previously located on Anthony Avenue, is now located at 21 Enterprise Drive, Suite 2 in Augusta.

He is a graduate of Camden High School and Bowdoin College, and did graduate studies at the University of Stockholm in Sweden.

Christie said the world of public service is a late-life career. After owning a number of businesses including a monthly newspaper -- Maine Business Monthly Group, which he sold in 2001 -- he couldn't stand being retired.

A week after he sold the newspaper, Christie said he applied at the Rockland CareerCenter and was hired as an employment and training specialist.

"It was a late-life career, I'll be 72 in February, so I'm the poster person for older workers in Maine," Christie said Thursday. "I'm very excited. First, I found that I love this late-life public service career helping people. It's so different from anything I've ever done. And I've got an increased sensitivity to the distress that a lot of people are in and with employers trying to find good, well-trained people."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com