AUGUSTA — After four decades of service to United Way of Kennebec Valley, Director of Finance Wendy Beaudoin has announced her plans to retire from the organization in March. UWKV has hired Kelly Wasson as the organization’s incoming director of finance, effective Feb. 1.

Beaudoin joined United Way in 1981 as a administrative assistant, and her position has evolved with the nonprofit’s needs. Over the course of her career, she helped United Way grow from a two-person operation raising $298,000 to four-person staff raising $1.66 million and serving 57,534 people in 2020, the highest amount in the organization’s 65-year history.

“I have been very fortunate to work for an organization that has helped our entire community for 65 years,” Beaudoin said, according to a news release from the nonprofit. “Not only did I meet my husband through this job, but the relationships and experiences I have formed with staff, volunteers and organizations will remain near and dear to my heart.”

During Beaudoin’s tenure, and with the support of the entire community, the number of programs that United Way funds has more than doubled and community initiatives have significantly expanded.

“We thank Wendy sincerely for everything she’s done to make life easier for the countless people who have relied on United Way’s partner programs,” said Courtney Yeager, executive director of UWKV. “Wendy has always demonstrated a true passion for the folks we help, and it’s been an honor to learn from and alongside someone with her wealth of knowledge over the past several years.”

“The United Way of Kennebec Valley is grateful for all of the contributions Wendy has made to the organization over the past 40 years,” said Amy Tardiff, board chairwoman at UWKV. “As a result of her talent and dedication to United Way’s mission, so many lives have been touched and so many of our friends and neighbors in the Kennebec Valley have benefitted. We wish Wendy the very best in her retirement!”

As Wasson assumes Beaudoin’s position, she will be responsible for overseeing the financial, administrative, information technology and human resources functions of the organization. Wasson recently served as the director of operations and finance for United Way of Mid-Maine. Before joining the organization, Wasson was the director of operations and administration for several nonprofit and health care organizations across Kennebec County.

“Kelly comes to us with impressive experience in finance and operations that will help United Way expand its impact in the Kennebec Valley community,” said Yeager. “We feel fortunate that she has chosen to join our United Way family and are confident that she will continue to build upon Wendy’s impressive body of work.”

A lifelong resident of Kennebec Valley, Wasson is eager to grow her career and continue making lasting change in her community. “I’m thrilled at this opportunity to become part of UWKV’s great work in my home community,” Wasson said. “Wendy leaves behind such a legacy and a wealth of knowledge and experience, which I feel very honored to be carrying forward.”

Maine Arts Commission appoints new interim executive director

AUGUSTA — At its meeting Jan. 26, the Maine Arts Commission voted to appoint David Greenham of Gardiner as the interim executive director of the commission for a term of at least two years.

“Greenham, 60, replaces Julie Richard, who served as executive director for eight years before accepting a new position in Arizona in December, according to a news release from the commission.

“I’m honored and surprised at this turn of events,” said Greenham, who had served two years as the commission’s chairman. “I know the Maine Arts Commission well and am excited to work with the wonderful staff at the commission and with the field of so many creative individuals and organizations.”

Greenham has spent the past decade working for the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, and for the past two years as the associate director. He led the center’s award-winning educational programs, and also created numerous exhibits and events. Since 2009 Greenham has also been a lecturer in drama at the University of Maine at Augusta. Prior to his work for the center, Greenham led The Theater At Monmouth for 14 years and has been active in the arts community of Maine since coming to the state in 1985.

“For the past two years, David has led with a commitment to process, transparency and inclusion,” said Cynthia Orcutt, the vice chairwoman of the commission.

“His love for the arts, for artists, creatives and makers throughout the state of Maine drives his passion. The board is thrilled David will now focus his efforts on directing the work of commission staff and partners as they strengthen and support arts, artisans and culture.”

Greenham assumes the leadership role as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit arts organizations and individual artists particularly hard. Arts venues were among the first to shutter last March and will likely be among the last to open in the aftermath of the public health crisis. During the leadership transition, Julie Horn, the commission’s director of visual arts, was appointed to serve as the assistant director of the agency.

“We are elated that David will play a major role in our agency’s development over the next two years,” Horn said. “His commitment to the arts in Maine is unquestionable, and as chair he always inspired us to find imaginative ways to meet the needs of the arts and culture community.”

The commission staff will first focus on COVID-19 relief and helping the field recover for this long and challenging pandemic. While the loss of life and the loss of livelihood have been the central detriment, Greenham said he still finds hope in the way that so many artists and organizations have found creative ways to share their work. “I know we’ll use these experiences to emerge with new strength and determination to celebrate,” Greenham said. “The arts will lead the emotional recovery from COVID.”

Fontaine Family Team welcomes two new team members

Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader has announced the addition of Andrea McKay to the team at its Auburn location and Sidney Jolicoeur to the team at their Scarbrough location.

McKay grew up in Sabattus, and attended Monmouth Academy. She then continued her education at Word of Life and Liberty University, spending two years volunteering overseas. Upon returning home, she worked in early childhood education in the public schools. She has one year of real estate experience, along with real estate staging and experience with fix and flip investment properties.

McKay resides in New Gloucester with her husband and three young children.

Jolicoeur grew up in Bangor, and attended Bangor High School. She then continued her education at University of Southern Maine and Southern Maine Community College. Her previous employment at LB Kitchen in Portland allowed her to realize her love of helping people. She also has experience in graphic design.

She resides in Portland with her boyfriend.

Her past work experience will allow her to provide her clients with personal attention, while guiding them through the entire real estate process.

McTeague Higbee welcomes new attorney

McTeague Higbee, a law firm dedicated to advocating and protecting the rights of Maine’s working people, has announced that Mathew Marett has joined the firm. Marett comes to McTeague Higbee with more than nine years experience handling a variety of different legal matters. He is an experienced litigator well versed in the complexity of the workers’ compensation process. He will work in the firm’s workers’ compensation division and handle complicated bodily injury claims, according to a news release from the law firm.

“We at McTeague Higbee are thrilled to welcome Matt to our team,” said managing partner Kevin Noonan. “All of us have had the opportunity to work with Matt over several years. Matt is a tough advocate and will be able to quickly roll up his sleeves and help fight for the rights of our clients.”

Marett attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and earned his law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law graduating with cum laude honors in the top 5% of his class. He lives in Portland with his wife Sarah and their three young children.

Camden National Bank celebrates employee volunteerism efforts

Camden National Bank has announced a special community giving effort with more than $20,000 donated to 70 nonprofits where employees volunteered in 2020.

“From organizing fundraisers, to mentoring children, participating in virtual challenges, serving as board directors and more, our employees went above and beyond as community volunteers throughout 2020, a time of great need,” said Greg Dufour, president & CEO of Camden National Bank, according to a news release from the bank. “We are proud to make these special donations in support of our employees’ efforts and the organizations they are passionate about.”

Chris Paradis, vice president and security manager at the bank, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, where he has been a Big Brother for the past three years.

“This experience has been an eye opener and has made me realize the importance of mentorship and giving back,” said Paradis. “It’s pretty powerful to watch someone grow and mature and know you’re making a difference in their lives.”

Tyler Perkins, assistant vice president, information security analyst at the bank, volunteers at the Waterville Humane Society. He and his wife have fostered 11 dogs over the past year, some dogs have stayed a few days and others months before finding their forever homes.

“Many of the dogs come to us defeated by the ordeals they’ve suffered through. Watching them grow, learn to trust and eventually find their forever home is so rewarding,” Perkins shared. “The Waterville Humane Society staff does amazing work, adopting over 1,000 animals in 2020. I’m so thankful that Camden National Bank has made it possible to support them even more.”

Lana Faulkner, who serves customers as a relationship banker in Calais, dedicates her time to an organization called the Little Free Library. About three years ago, Faulkner opened her Little Free Library, which is part of a global network of volunteer-led mini libraries for community benefit.

Faulkner’s library started as a small structure with a good selection of books, and it has expanded into an actual building where visitors from near and far can go inside and browse the shelves.

“I developed a passion for reading as a small child, and I wanted to make sure that anyone that has that same passion would be able to have easy and free access to as many books as they would like,” said Faulkner. “One woman wrote in my guest book that she and her mother-in-law come to the library all the time. She said her mother-in-law has dementia, and the library is something that brings her such joy. It warmed my heart to hear that, and that is the reason I do what I do.”

In addition to a special donations effort in honor of 2020 employee volunteers, Camden National Bank also provided charitable support to more than 150 nonprofits throughout 2020.

For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.

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