FARMINGTON — Richard Walker has announced his retirement as chairman of the Franklin Savings Bank board of directors. Walker, who was elected chairman in 2017, has been a member of the board since 1991.

“It has been a true pleasure to serve on the board of directors of Franklin Savings Bank,” said Walker, according to a news release from the bank. “Being elected as chairman of the board was an honor.”

Former Bank President Peter Judkins of Farmington has been elected by the board of directors to assume the chairmanship for the board in January.

“Franklin Savings Bank is a pillar in the communities we serve. We take great pleasure in helping our neighbors succeed and accomplish their financial visions,” said Walker. “It’s bittersweet to retire from this influential board of directors, but I am confident that Peter will ensure a seamless transition.”

“Rick has been a strong leader as chairman and after serving on the board for 30 years, he knows the ins and outs of Franklin Savings Bank. And he will be missed on the board,” said President and CEO Tim Thompson.

In 2017, Judkins retired as president and CEO of the bank and has continued to serve on the bank’s board of directors. Judkins served as president and CEO for 12 years.

“Franklin Savings Bank is near and dear to my heart, along with the Maine communities the bank serves,” said Judkins. “The mission of Franklin Savings Bank is something I take very seriously, and I look forward to ensuring that it continues to be a strong and independent community bank for generations to come.”

Judkins has an extensive background in the financial industry including serving on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston where he was the chairman of the Audit Committee. Judkins also serves on the board of the Franklin Community Health Network.

Also retiring from the bank’s board of directors is former bank President and CEO Gary Downs. Gary retired from the bank as president and CEO in 2005.

“I am proud of the work that we accomplished and the success the bank has had and continues to have. The bank wouldn’t be what it is today without the committed employees that have always shown up everyday living the FSB values and breathing the FSB culture,” said Downs. “The FSB workforce and workplace is unique and very special.”

Kennebec Savings Bank awards $30,000 Catalyst Grants to two local nonprofits

AUGUSTA – Kennebec Savings Bank recently named the Children’s Center and Viles Arboreum as the recipients of its 2021 Catalyst Grants. The two $30,000 gifts are designed to support creative concepts that might otherwise not be possible for the nonprofit organizations.

“We are pleased to provide this funding to two nonprofits that directly impact the lives of so many in our community,” said Kennebec Savings Bank President & CEO Andrew Silsby, according to a news release from the bank.

The Children’s Center, based in Augusta, offers early intervention programs to young children ages birth through 5 with special needs, including inclusive early education, pediatric therapies, and specialized programs for children with autism spectrum disorders, mental health diagnoses and global delays. The agency also provides family support programs like targeted case management, community-based behavioral health professionals, and parent and provider education programs in order to assist caregivers in meeting the needs of their children.

The Children’s Center will use the funding to implement an electronic health record to improve the quality of services for children with special needs and their families. The new system will track data accurately and efficiently to drive treatment and alter interventions based on the individual needs of the child in real time.

“All of our treatment plans are individualized and evidence-based. The KSB Catalyst Grant is allowing us to invest in the technological infrastructure needed to help adjust those treatment plans based on real-time clinical observation and data collection in classrooms. The sooner we can assess how a child is or isn’t progressing, the sooner we can tweak our approach to optimize their developmental outcomes. Better outcomes mean greater quality of life. So, ultimately, this investment translates into a better use of time for our children and time is critical in these earliest years,” said Jeff Johnson, executive director of the Children’s Center.

Viles Arboretum is a free and easily accessible botanical garden located in Augusta. The 224-acre space includes 6 miles of trails, dozens of plant collections and a sculpture exhibit. The arboretum’s preserved land, interpretive materials, exhibits, programs and events, and trail system are designed for people of all ages for education, recreation and inspiration.

With Catalyst Grant funding, Viles Arboretum will grow their Young Stewards Camp Program, a screen-free summer camp designed to leverage the arboretum’s sprawling green space to offer high-quality, low-cost outdoor enrichment programming to local children. The funds will be used to create an adventure course, make kitchen renovations and develop an educational garden.

“Viles Arboretum is proud to have partnered with Kennebec Savings Bank for this work, which will fund existing infrastructure like our community gardens and commercial kitchen, as well as a new low-ropes course, to better serve our students as our summer program continues to grow,” said Viles Arboretum Executive Director Ryan Martin.

The mission of the Catalyst Grant program is to spark creativity and add capacity within local nonprofit organizations, leading to the betterment of the programs and services offered in Kennebec Savings Bank’s service area. Grant recipients are chosen through a competitive application process by an internal selection committee comprised of employees representing different areas of the Bank. Since its inception in 2016, the Catalyst Grant program has awarded more than $300,000 to over a dozen projects.

For more business news, visit centralmaine.com.

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