Central Maine business briefs: LeeAnna Lavoie appointed Healthy Community Coalition director – Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
People & Places: Rebecca Ricker joins Fontaine Family Team.
LeeAnna Lavoie Submitted photo
FARMINGTON — LeeAnna Lavoie, MPH, CHES, has been appointed the director of Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County.
Lavoie will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the coalition’s operations including program planning, grant development, personnel management, financial stewardship, policy advocacy and community collaboration and partnerships.
“LeeAnna is passionate about prevention and community health and excited to begin work locally in the area in which she lives,” said Barbara Sergio, Franklin Community Health Network’s chief operating officer, in a news release from the network. “She has extensive experience managing public health programs and providing leadership and direction to address community and public health gaps including community health assessments and subsequent implementation plans.”
Most recently, Lavoie was the program director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention Control Program, overseeing the statewide prevention services’ portfolio that included efforts for tobacco, substance use, youth engagement, adolescent health and mass reach health communications.
Prior to that, Lavoie was employed by MaineGeneral for 14 years. She acknowledges those years in health care helped bridge the gap between clinical and public health to improve population health, starting as a drug overdose health educator before taking on more responsibilities and rising to the director of community health.
Lavoie received her master’s degree in public health from the University of Southern Maine and her bachelor’s degree in community health education from the University of Maine at Farmington and she is a certified health education specialist.
Rebecca Ricker Submitted photo
Rebecca Ricker joins Fontaine Family Team
Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader announces the addition of Rebecca Ricker to the team at their Auburn location.
Ricker primarily grew up in Litchfield, and attended Oak Hill High School in Wales and Gardiner Area High School. She continued her education at Perdue University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science.
She has been an active member of the Maine community for more than 40 years, and is so excited to be turning that community focus toward real estate.
As a new member of the Fontaine Family Team, Rickers brings with her the values of hard work, integrity and outstanding client service, and comes to Fontaine with her sales agent license.
Jennifer Bechard Todd Wentworth photo
Kennebec Savings Bank promotes Jennifer Bechard to assistant vice president
AUGUSTA – Andrew Silsby, president and CEO of Kennebec Savings Bank, recently announced the promotion of Jennifer Bechard to the position of assistant vice president and human resources managing officer.
Bechard joined the bank in 2015 as the payroll and human resource information system manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing from Thomas College in addition to her Senior Professional in Human Resources certification.
“Jen has a great deal of knowledge on all things HR here at Kennebec Savings Bank and is seen by so many as the ‘go to’ person for answers to HR questions,” said Silsby, according to a news release from the bank. “Jen has more than 20 years of experience that she brought to the bank when she started here, and has continued to deepen this knowledge throughout her years at the bank. This is a well-deserved promotion and we look forward to Jen’s continued success.”
“Kennebec Savings Bank’s employee culture is exceptional,” said Bechard. “I am grateful for the opportunity to grow with the Bank and take this next step in my career.”
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce announces new board members
Kimberly Nadeau Lindlof, president and CEO of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, has announced that the organization’s governing board of directors has three new board members for the coming year.
For 2022, Joy McKenna will continue to serve as board chairperson. Changes in the slate of board officers include Michelle Joler-Labbe who will serve as first vice chair and Mike Guarino who will serve as second vice chair. Bruce Harrington continues as treasurer, Greg Zimba will serve as director-at-large, and Gary Levesque as past chair for the board.
New board members include Chuck Hays, Karen Normandin and Gary Poulin.
Chuck Hays Rene Roy photo
MaineGeneral Health President and CEO Hays has served in his position for 27 years. He received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and an MBA from Thomas College.
Hays currently serves on the boards of Alfond Youth & Community Center and Maine Dartmouth Family Practice as well as Kiwanis.
His prior service includes the boards of Waterville Opera House, KV Chamber, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, TOGUS VA, Work Force Investment, United Way of Kennebec Valley, Augusta Board of Trade and Granite Hill Estates.
Karen Normandin Trenetta Saba photo
Serving as the interim president of Kennebec Valley Community College since June 1, 2021, Normandin has been with the college for 33 years. She has served in a variety of roles including adjunct faculty, director of a federally funded grant program (TRiO), assistant dean of students and finally, the dean of student affairs. Each of these roles has provided her with the opportunity to impact many student journeys.
Normandin feels that her experience with workforce development and training will serve the area well as the chamber continues to work with businesses to retain and train employees.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire; a master’s degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and is a doctoral candidate at Capella University.
Gary Poulin Submitted photo
Poulin is a media consultant for Mix Maine Media, where he has been employed for seven years.
He formerly served on the Mid-Maine Chamber board of directors and currently serves on the Main Street Skowhegan Skijor Committee. He also chairs the Festival of Trees Committee for the chamber and serves on the Taste of Waterville and Waterville Works promotion committee.
His past service includes positions with United Bikers of Maine, Waterville Opera House board of directors, co-chair of United Way of Mid-Maine campaign for small business, former chair of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Taste of Waterville Committee, Waterville Main Street and Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce boards.
Poulin believes in the purpose of the chamber regarding growth and development of the region and looks forward to continuing to serve in a capacity that works to enhance the Mid-Maine area as a whole.
Skowhegan Savings employees grant local charities $30,000
SKOWHEGAN — On Giving Tuesday, Skowhegan Savings announced a commitment to give away 20 $1,000 grants to local charities as part of their “Season of Giving” program. All nonprofit grant recipients were nominated by the bank’s employees with the most nominated organizations selected as the grant winner. Local nonprofits were not aware that they would receive a “Season of Giving” grant until announced on the bank’s social media by each branch or department that had selected them.
“Our employees value the ability to help others and feel privileged to serve our communities. We believe giving is good for the heart and we wanted our employees to choose and give these grants in recognition of their hard work in 2021,” said David Cyr, president and CEO of Skowhegan Savings, according to a news release from the institution. “It has been great to see the diversity of services of the nonprofits that our employees selected and a delight to see the winning organizations’ reactions when finding out that they had been chosen.”
The following nonprofits each received one of these grants:
• Friends of Quarry Road
• Family Violence Project of Maine
• Friends of the Skowhegan Free Public Library
• Franklin County Animal Shelter
• Baker Mountain Ski Tow Club
• Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County
• Madison Junior High School Food Pantry
• Kennebec Valley Humane Society
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine
• Smithfield Community Food Pantry
• Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry
• Bounce Back Maine
• Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis
• Somerset Humane Society
• Skowhegan Food Cupboard
• Jackman Moose River Fire Department
• Dexter Sunshine Club
• Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust
• Upper Kennebec Valley Ambulance Services
In turn, the bank then decided to surprise their employees by making a $10,000 donation, in their name, to the Coats for Kids program. The Coats for Kids program, promoted by News Center Maine and organized by the Salvation Army, is in its 39th year of annually collecting and distributing coats, hats, boots, mittens and other necessities for youth in need throughout the state of Maine.
VIP Tires & Service makes wishes come true with $151K
AUBURN — VIP Tires & Service is kicking off 2022 with a donation of $151,050 to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. The full-service automotive repair, maintenance and tire shop presented its largest donation ever to the charitable organization Jan. 12. The funds were raised by VIP’s team members and customers at their 65 locations, combined with the equal matching donation from owner John Quirk. The company has been participating in the annual holiday Season of Wishes campaign since 2008. With locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont participating in the effort, VIP has now raised more than $835,000 for Make-A-Wish, according to a news release from the shop.
“Our Season of Wishes campaign is something we look forward to each year knowing that it directly benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the four states we serve,” said Tim Winkeler, president and CEO, VIP Tires & Service. “This donation will help bring some light to hard times for many Make-A-Wish children, and that’s something VIP is proud to stand behind. It never ceases to amaze me how the generosity of our team and customers shines during our annual holiday season fundraiser. We want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated, VIP team member, customers and supplier partners alike. It means the world.”
The funds are raised annually with individual donations made by VIP employees and customers, and then matched 100% by VIP’s Chairman John Quirk. In 2021, the company’s 65 stores raised $75,525 and was matched by John Quirk, bringing VIP’s total donation to $151,050. The 2021 donation was 29% higher than 2020, showing a steady year-over-year growth since the campaign’s inception. Funds raised in each state benefit the local Make-A-Wish chapter:
• Maine’s 35 VIP stores raised $51,236.47 ($102,472.94 donation with matching)
• New Hampshire’s 20 VIP stores raised $19,953.74 ($39,907.48 donation with matching)
• Massachusetts’ six VIP stores raised $2588.69 ($5,177.38 donation with matching)
• Vermont’s four VIP stores raised $1746.35 ($3,492.70 donation with matching)
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to critically ill children all across the country. The funds that support the wish granting effort in each state are raised through campaigns like the VIP Tires & Service Season of Wishes campaign. Wishes range from trips to theme parks, meeting a favorite athlete or celebrity, attending a major sporting event or concert, receiving a computer, building a treehouse or going on a shopping spree. VIP’s donation will make dozens of New England kids’ wishes come true.
“After 14 years, VIP Tires & Service still goes above and beyond to fundraise for the Make-A-Wish team. Thank you to all of the customers and employees who participated in the campaign at VIP’s 65 stores throughout New England,” said Kate Vickery, president & CEO of Make-A-Wish Maine. “Your commitment and support of our mission is what makes life-changing wishes come true for kids throughout New England.”
David Pease appointed to Thomas College Board of Trustees
WATERVILLE — Thomas College announces that David Pease has joined its board of trustees. Pease is the senior vice president and director of talent, diversity & inclusion for Bangor Savings Bank.
Pease is a longtime champion for Thomas College, having served previously as an adjunct faculty member and, more recently, as an employer partner in the college’s President’s Innovation Challenge.
“We are thrilled to have David as part of our talented and innovative board of trustees,” said President Laurie G. Lachance, according to a news release from the college. “David has energy, talent, a passion for education as well as experience building a diverse community that will help us build a stronger, more inclusive community. I am excited for him to share his knowledge and experience with us.”
“I have had the great pleasure of working with Thomas’s leadership and students for several years and appreciate the fresh ways it is teaching and engaging Maine’s future workforce,” said Pease.
In his current role at Bangor Savings Bank, Pease is both internally and externally focused, working on building bank talent and diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as working externally to build a diverse workforce in Maine and New Hampshire. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor of Science in political science and Lesley University with a Master of Science in human resources management. Pease holds national designations — the Senior Professional in Human Resources from HRCI and the Senior Certified Profession in HR from SHRM.
Prior to joining Bangor Savings Bank, Pease had 30 years of human resource leadership, including roles at Androscoggin Bank, The Hartford, and Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital. He is the former state director of the Maine Society for Human Resource Management and received the distinguished Maine HR Leader of the Year award. He recently received the Unsung Business Hero award from PROPEL Portland for creating a safe and inclusive work environment for employment. Pease also serves on numerous boards and advisory councils, and as a mentor and coach to students and professionals.
For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.
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