Meet the DO Team
Rachel Knight, Founder & CEO
Rachel is a Maine native who has always had a passion for education and story telling. In 1996, she received her master’s from the University of Southern Maine and taught content area subjects (History and English) to students with disabilities and logged many hours helping students explore options for post-secondary opportunities, a.k.a Transition Planning. It is from this experience that the idea of Destination Occupation was born. The idea of creating a library of videos for students to “visit” a variety of businesses and educational programs from their high school felt like a deal changer, a “no brainer,” especially in a state as geographically challenged as Maine.
Over the years, what started out as a "career exploration" service and website has morphed into a recruitment marketing firm that has helped dozens of Maine companies tell their unique story, use marketing strategies to attract people, by using data driven research to make decisions.
Dick Dyer, Co-founder & CEO
Dick Dyer, born in Belfast, Maine, graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1972 with degrees in Speech, Theater and Art. He taught communications in both public and private high school settings and began his career in public relations with a position at the Maine Department of Conservation, followed by positions at the Department of Human Services and the Maine Arts Commission.
In 1990, Dick received his national accreditation, APR, in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America. In 1991, he was recruited to work for the national public relations and management consulting firm, Jackson Jackson & Wagner, and in 1993, he established Dyer Associates. He has also held posts as Director of Marketing, Development and Production at the Waterville Opera House, Director of Marketing for Waterville Creates!, and Director of Marketing & Promotions for Mix Maine Media.
Dick has brought his expertise in research and marketing to DO, in particular, the Opinion Leader Research that we use to help clients understand their ideal employee.
Meet our Partners
Mike Boucher, Sonic Pictures
Cinematographer, Filmmaker, Storyteller
With over 20 years of Emmy award-winning experience in film and television, Michael Boucher launched Sonic Pictures in 2005. Throughout his career, Mike has been director of photography for numerous commercials, television programs, independent films, and documentaries. His work has appeared on: National Geographic Channel, OWN Network, Discovery Channel, ABC, PBS, TBS, BBC, NESN, QVC, Outside Television, The Food Network.
Mike's professional eye and creativity has been integral in shaping the DO story telling brand with stunning videos, music and effects.
Chelsea Tufts
Synergy Workforce Solutions
For the past 14 years Chelsea has worked in all facets of human resources as well as marketing/advertising; designing and developing job descriptions & job advertisements; designing & developing training and onboarding programs for new hires; and designing and developing employee recognition and awards programs. She is equipped with a promising and diverse skill set in Marketing & Advertising by creating & developing websites, establishing a social media presence and building and sustaining media relations. Moreover, she is proficient in an assortment of technologies such as Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign & LightRoom). Likewise, Chelsea is fluent in key social media platforms.
Chelsea brings her creative design and HR experience with communications and problem solving to the DO team and our shared clients.
John Lewis
Synergy Workforce Solutions
For the past decade, John has been developing programs and strategies which have led to the creation of talent pipelines to industry as well as increasing employee retention. At the national level, John served as Senior Director for Workforce Development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he led a team whose purpose was to create and establish the first-ever Workforce Development Initiative for the organization. This important and necessary work laid the foundation for establishing relationships with employers across the nation, which fostered opportunities for skill development and work-based learning, which eventually resulted in job placement.
John has joined DO in many collaborative recruitment marketing and workforce development initiatives with clients like Oakhurst Dairy and the Manufacturer's Association of Maine.
