Oli’s Trolley Sold; Misha Mytar Promoted to Senior Director of Land Protection, Island Housing Trust Appoints Sherry Billings to Director.
Aug 12, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Three women are heading into new leadership roles on Mount Desert Island.
Misha Mytar, a longtime conservation leader and Bar Harbor resident will guide Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s (MCHT) strategic land protection efforts in her new position as senior director of land protection. She succeeds Betsy Ham who has spent decades working for MCHT.
Oli’s Trolley has been purchased by the Do Good Group and will be led by Lizz Strum as CEO.
The Island Housing Trust (IHT) has named Sherry Billings as its new executive director. Billings succeeds Marla O’Byrne.
The press releases from each organization are below.
MYTAR ASCENDS
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Misha Mytar as the organization’s new senior director of land protection, following a highly competitive search process. Mytar assumed the role on Monday, August 4, succeeding Betsy Ham, who is retiring after more than two decades of shaping MCHT’s land protection legacy with vision and commitment.
“MCHT has been incredibly fortunate to have had Betsy at the helm of our land protection efforts. Her unwavering dedication is part of MCHT’s DNA,” said Kate Stookey, president and CEO of MCHT. “And today we celebrate the ushering-in of a new leader in Misha. Her promotion is a testament to her conservation expertise, collaborative nature, and relationship-building skills, which will be essential as we continue to serve Maine and its communities. We owe big congratulations and thanks to these two important figures in Maine’s conservation landscape.”
Reporting to the president and CEO, Mytar is responsible for developing and advancing MCHT’s strategic conservation planning and priority land protection activities. This includes comprehensive planning efforts through leadership and collaboration with a broad array of state and local partners and oversight of all land protection projects, initiatives, and partnerships. A member of MCHT’s senior leadership team, Mytar will help shape MCHT’s strategic direction and vision, sustaining MCHT’s overall organizational health and ensuring alignment among its management, operations, strategy, and culture. She is based in the Mount Desert Island office.
Mytar joined MCHT in 2011 and most recently served as associate director of Land Protection. She played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s strategic plan, managing complex conservation transactions, and coordinating Conservation Limited Development LLC, an MCHT subsidiary. Mytar has forged longstanding partnerships with landowners, local partners ranging from Acadia National Park to the Island Housing Trust, with a focus on conserving ecologically and culturally significant landscapes and community resources.
Before joining MCHT, Mytar was a senior planner at the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and previously held positions at Blue Hill Heritage Trust and a number of Downeast conservation and community planning organizations. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in anthropology, she also holds a master’s in community planning and development from the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service.
Honoring the Leadership of Betsy Ham
Mytar takes the helm from Betsy Ham, whose remarkable 23-year tenure at MCHT helped shape the organization’s land protection efforts statewide. In 2002, Ham began her career at MCHT as a project manager in the Midcoast, where she completed more than 80 conservation projects. She became director of Land Protection in 2013.
Under Ham’s leadership, MCHT completed more than 320 conservation projects, protecting over 50,700 acres of Maine’s most cherished landscapes. This includes 107 fee acquisitions that created or expanded over 100 public preserves totaling 13,400 acres, and 81 conservation easements safeguarding more than 5,000 acres of working forests, farmlands, and coastal habitats.
Ham also championed the protection of 31 coastal islands and spearheaded efforts with partners to complete 132 additional projects, conserving another 32,000 acres across the state. Her steady guidance laid the foundation for some of MCHT’s most celebrated successes in land conservation.
About Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) advances the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Since 1970, we have worked to guide the conservation movement and support a network of more than 80 land trusts. Together with partners, we’ve protected over 190,000 acres, supporting the needs of people, plants, animals, and ecosystems across the coast. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our natural areas can mitigate the effects of climate change and support all people and life for generations to come. Learn more about our work and get involved at www.mcht.org.
OLI’S TROLLEY PURCHASED BY DO GOOD GROUP, STURM STEPS UP TO CEO
After more than three decades of delighting visitors with scenic tours and unforgettable memories, Oli’s Trolley is entering a new chapter.
Longtime owners Denise Morgan and Larry Sweets, who have proudly continued the family-run business for over 33 years, are passing the torch as they approach retirement. Their priority: ensuring the next stewards of Oli’s Trolley share their deep commitment to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island (MDI) community.
After thoughtful conversations with many potential successors, Larry and Denise are excited to announce the transition of ownership to the Do Good Group, a Maine-based purpose driven organization dedicated to reinvesting profits into the local community. With a mission to build thriving businesses that fuel positive change, Do Good Group focuses on supporting employees, empowering local nonprofits, and fostering sustainable growth. Oli’s Trolley will now serve as a cornerstone of that vision.
Leading this new era is Lizz Sturm, stepping in as CEO to carry forward the legacy of excellence and heart that has defined Oli’s Trolley since day one—and to guide the company into its next 30+ years.
“We spoke with many groups, but Do Good Group stood out for their values and vision,” said Morgan and Sweets. “We’re thrilled to have Lizz at the helm. Her passion for Bar Harbor and commitment to community-driven growth make her the perfect leader to guide Oli’s Trolley into its next adventure.”
“I’m honored to continue the legacy Denise, Larry, and their family built,” said Sturm. “As a local who’s experienced and loved all that MDI has to offer, I’m excited to share that magic with every guest. Oli’s Trolley is more than a tour company—it’s a beloved part of the community. We’re ready to grow with purpose, deepen our local roots, and keep delivering the wonder of Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and Mount Desert Island to visitors from around the world.”
The transition marks a new era for Oli’s Trolley—one that blends tradition with innovation, and business with benevolence. Locals and visitors alike can expect the same iconic red trolleys.
Sturm adds, “I look forward to meeting fellow business owners, community leaders, and residents. I welcome anyone to stop by and say hello. I’m excited for this journey and the impact we’ll create together.”
Island Housing Trust Names Sherry Billings as New Executive Director
Island Housing Trust (IHT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sherry Billings as its next executive director, effective late September. Billings brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and community development, along with a deep understanding of the housing crisis facing our region.
Most recently, Billings served as executive director of Hancock County Habitat for Humanity, where she oversaw construction and repair projects across the region and successfully quadrupled volunteer engagement within a single year. She also launched and expanded Aging in Place initiatives, raising over $70,000 in 2024 alone to help older adults remain safely and comfortably in their homes.
Earlier in her career, Billings spent 16 years as deputy director of Caring Unlimited, a domestic violence resource center based in York County. There, she led program development, strengthened community partnerships, and helped shape statewide housing and safety policies. Known for her strategic vision and collaborative leadership, she is deeply committed to housing equity and sustainable communities.
“As a lifelong Mainer and passionate advocate for rural and island communities, I’m honored to join Island Housing Trust at this pivotal time,” said Billings. “IHT’s work is about making room for those we rely on such as teachers, healthcare workers, small business owners, and others who sustain our year-round island life. I’m excited to build on this strong momentum and deepen IHT’s impact across Mount Desert Island.”
A Hancock County native, Billings brings both personal insight and professional experience to the unique challenges and opportunities facing year-round island communities. She currently serves as acting treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Maine and has held board roles with Community Housing of Maine and other civic organizations.
Joanne Harris, chair of the search committee, said, “Sherry is a dynamic and thoughtful leader with deep roots in the region and a powerful track record of impact. We are thrilled to welcome her to Island Housing Trust and confident she will continue to strengthen our mission of providing year-round housing for those essential to the sustainability of our island.”
With this leadership transition, Island Housing Trust also extends its heartfelt gratitude to Marla O’Byrne, who is retiring after serving as Executive director since 2018. Marla’s steady guidance, passion for MDI’s year-round communities, and deep knowledge of workforce housing were instrumental during a period of exciting growth for the organization.
“We wish Marla a joyful and well-earned retirement,” said Harris. “With community always at the forefront, she guided us through several transformative projects. We are so grateful for her leadership.”
To schedule an interview or more information, please contact Island Housing Trust at (207) 244-8011 or info@islandhousingtrust.org.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
UPDATE FROM THE TOWN OF BAR HARBOR ON CYBERSECURITY ATTACK
“Since the recent cybersecurity attack, the town has worked with cybersecurity experts to secure our systems, including taking many offline as a precaution.
“As reported earlier, we’ve engaged CrowdStrike, a trusted cybersecurity firm, to lead an independent investigation. Their data collection is currently about 80 percent complete, and we expect a final audited report as early as next week. This report will explain what happened and whether any sensitive information was in fact compromised.
“We’ve received interim updates from CrowdStrike but are holding back public statements until their full, verified report is complete. It’s important that our communications be based on confirmed facts, not speculation.
“Most town data is already public and available on our website, but we recognize that some is confidential. We continue to take this matter seriously and are committed to protecting all information.
“If we had found that any person or organization was placed at risk, our policy is to notify them directly so they could act.
“All confirmed details about this event will be shared once the investigation concludes.
“We appreciate the patience of our residents, staff, and businesses. From the start, our priority has been to maintain services and protect our systems.”
CRUISE SHIP UPDATE
We’ve updated this morning’s cruise ship story about the First Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision with information from the town and Charles Sidman, the defendant intervenor in the suit. You can read those updates here.
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