PORTLAND (AP) – Former Gov. Angus King has a new job.

King has joined Leaders LLC, a merger and acquisition services company in Portland.

King will work with businesses on strategies on how to acquire other companies or be acquired by another firm.

It’s a role that will allow him to draw on his experience as governor and as a former business owner.

Before serving two terms as governor, King started an energy conservation business, Northeast Energy Management Inc., that he sold to Eastern Utility Associates of Massachusetts for almost $20 million, netting $8 million in the sale.

King joins four other partners in the firm: Peter Anania, Matthew Caras, Jeff Tounge and Brian Deveaux.

Anania, who knew King from gubernatorial trade missions they had taken together, contacted King about joining the firm in midsummer, after King returned from an extended tour of the United States with his family.

King won’t be working full-time at Leaders. He’s scheduled to teach a class on leadership at Bowdoin College next spring, and serves on the boards of the Nature Conservancy, Lee Auto and Hancock Lumber.

AP-ES-11-14-03 0216EST