Maine Rural Partners Board
Our January 2009 board meeting was held at the State House in Augusta, providing a unique opportunity to strengthen our working relationships with Maine’s political leaders. In separate meetings with the Legislative Council and Governor John Baldacci, the board briefed these leaders about our recent progress before a broader discussion of public policy issues. We were glad to hear enthusiastic support for rural Maine and the work of Maine Rural Partners!
Board Members
Maine Rural Partners is governed with balanced representation from our state’s business community, statewide and local non-profit organizations, and tribal, federal, state, county and local governments.
This list is presented in alphabetical order by last name.
Kathy Billings
Vice President for Corporate and Government Relations
Bangor Hydro Electric Company
Mike Bush
Housing Developer
Penquis
Peggy Daigle
City Manager
City of Old Town
Jennifer DeChant
Policy / Program Coordinator
Office of the Commissioner, DECD
David Dixon
Board Program Committee Chair
Maine Community Foundation
Mike Eisensmith
Economic Development Division Director
Northern Maine Development Commission
Chris Gardner
Board of Commissioners Chairperson
Washington County, Maine
Susan Hammond
Executive Director
Four Directions Development Corporation
Mary Ellen Johnston
Healthy Communities Coordinator
Waterville Public Schools
Pam Joy
Vice President for Community Affairs
FairPoint Communications
Bill Lucy
President
Merrill Bank
Virginia Manuel
State Director
USDA Rural Development
Jim Page
CEO
James W. Sewall Company
Kevin Raye
State Senator
Maine State Senate
Chris Roberts
Migrant and Farmworker Program Specialist
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Nancy Smith
State Representative
Maine State House of Representatives
Jonathan Sprague
President
Rocky Coast Consulting
Jake Ward
Assistant Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Government Relations
University of Maine
Sophie Wilson
Town Manager
Town of Brownville