Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) is pleased to announce strategic leadership appointments within its Small Business and Entrepreneurship Division, strengthening its capacity to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across Washington County.
Peter Piconi has been named Director of Business Advising and MaineStreet Business Building, and Ashley Hinson Dhakal has been promoted to Director of Business Programs and Communications. Both leaders bring significant experience to their new roles—Piconi from his role as Business Resilience Advisor at SCEC and decades of experience in business advising and economic development across multiple sectors, and Dhakal from her previous position as Communications Manager at SCEC and more than ten years supporting Washington County businesses through her design consultancy, AHD Design.
Washington County has a robust entrepreneurial spirit, with a high concentration of small business owners and self-employed individuals who are vital to the local economy. Outreach by SCEC has found strong interest among high school students in starting their own businesses, signaling a promising future for the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Small business owners in Washington County are deeply engaged in every part of their operations, often wearing many hats at once. Comprehensive business support, training, and advising through SCEC provides an added layer of perspective, helping entrepreneurs and small business owners test ideas, navigate complexity, sharpen expertise, and connect with resources that strengthen long-term success.
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Team at SCEC has grown to eight staff members, each bringing specialized expertise to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey and across a wide range of sectors. The team includes advisors with strengths in government contracting, career and workforce development, diversifying income streams, building recovery-friendly workplaces, and identifying appropriate technology solutions. Team members work closely with fisheries-based businesses, retail, outdoor recreation, and tourism. In addition to no-cost one-on-one advising available to any Washington County business or entrepreneur, the team facilitates free online workshops and provides guidance on SCEC’s gap financing and loan programs for qualifying businesses.
In his new role, Piconi will oversee business advising services and manage daily operations at MaineStreet Business Building, a coworking hub in downtown Machias that serves as a central access point for business support and advising. With more than 30 years of experience across entrepreneurship, aquaculture, and economic development, Piconi brings a practical, sector-spanning perspective to business advising. Since joining SCEC, he has supported businesses at every stage—from idea development to growth and transition—helping owners build resilient operations and connect strategy, finance, and long-term planning.
Denise Cilley, Associate Director of SCEC, shared, “These leadership transitions reflect both how far SCEC’s small business and entrepreneurship work has come over the last five years and the opportunity ahead. What began as a brand new division in 2020, has grown into a dedicated team of eight and a state-of-the-art business support hub. Aligning leadership with the scale of this work allows us to deepen impact, strengthen continuity, and ensure business owners have access to the guidance and support they need as they grow, regardless of where they are located in the region.”
Dhakal will oversee the development and delivery of business programs, lead the Small Business and Entrepreneurship team, and direct communications for SCEC. Formerly, as a design and branding consultant, Dhakal worked with small businesses and nonprofits in Washington County to strengthen their visual identity, brand voice, and overall communications strategy. With deep roots in Washington County, she brings a keen understanding of the region’s small business landscape, including its challenges and opportunities. At SCEC, she has collaborated with partners across the state to develop and promote workforce education focused on aquaculture, the forest products industry, and entrepreneurship. She also regularly delivers workshops on graphic design, branding, and website development as part of the Entrepreneurial Pathways programs through MaineStreet Business Building.
About Sunrise County Economic Council
Sunrise County Economic Council initiates and facilitates the creation of jobs and prosperity in Washington County, Maine, by working with a consortium of community-minded businesses, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and citizens. SCEC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Team collaborates with more than 50 partners across 35+ business support organizations to provide comprehensive resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
About MaineStreet Business Building
Since opening its doors, MaineStreet Business Building in downtown Machias has become a vibrant hub of activity for Washington County’s business community. The facility provides members with 24/7 access to professional coworking space, private offices, meeting rooms, high-speed broadband, and a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs, small business owners, and remote workers can connect, learn, and build community.
For more information about MaineStreet Business Building or to schedule business advising, visit mainestreetbusiness.org or contact the team at info@mainestreetbusiness.org.