The Kennebec Valley YMCA of Augusta welcomed five new members to its board of directors. The new directors include Alex Serra, Alexander “Alex” Willette, Tyler Gaudette, Tom Warren, Stacey Morrison and Jen Weatherbie, all inducted as of June. All new inductees come with impressive backgrounds and years of experience to add to the KV YMCA board of directors, according to a news release from the YMCA.

Serra is the owner and operator of Serra Public Affairs, founded in 2014. She holds degrees from both Smith College, as well as the University of Maine School of Law. She has experience serving in corporate and nonprofit sectors. In addition, she brings to the KV YMCA a depth of knowledge in media engagement, development of unique public affairs strategies, as well as experience working with leaders at the Maine Capitol. She works diligently to handcraft an appropriate path to success for each of her clients.

Willette serves as judge advocate for the Maine National Guard. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Maine at Farmington, and a degree from the University of Maine School of Law. He served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, first as the youngest member of the House in his first term, and then elected as assistant Republican leader in his second. He previously served in the White House as special assistant to the president and deputy director of Political Affairs for Outreach from 2019 to 2021. Additionally, he served as assistant DA for Prosecutorial District 6 of Maine, and also served in the Gov. Paul LePage Administration as director of Legislative Affairs and Communications.

Gaudet is a sales agent and co-owner of Sprague & Curtis Real Estate. He is an Augusta native, graduate of Kents Hill School, and holds a degree in biology from St. Michaels College. Before starting a career in real estate, he owned and operated Fluid Farms in Southern Maine, a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly greenhouse, specializing in growing gourmet greens, herbs and hybrid striped bass on a large commercial scale. In 2016, he joined Sprague & Curtis as a sales agent, and by 2021, he had purchased the agency with fellow agent, Lori Dube after 60 years in the Sprague family.

Warren served as the CEO of the Kennebec Valley YMCA from 2013 to 2020, with more than 33 years of experience of progressive leadership within four successful multi-branch YMCA associations. He was senior executive of the Taunton, Massachusetts, Old Colony YMCA; senior executive at the Brockton, Massachusetts, Old Colony YMCA; and serving at the East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, YMCA. Warren completed the last seven years of his YMCA career at the KV YMCA in April 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the University of Maine, as well as a Master of Science degree in physical education and exercise science from Bridgewater State College.

Morrison is the CEO and owner of Ganneston Construction Corp. Prior to this, she had spent much of her career in administrative and financial positions, managing other people’s businesses, thus inspiring her to purchase Ganneston in 2001, growing the company successfully ever since. Several years ago, she and her brothers-in-law purchased CPM Constructors, one of Maine’s top three bridge builders. She is dedicated to her industry and community, serving on multiple boards in the Kennebec Valley region.

Weatherbie is the sales director of Red Bull and nonalcoholic beverages at Pine State, serving the company for more than 11 years. Prior to Pine State, she gained many years of experience in customer service and communications with positions at both Aldelphia and T-Mobile. She is passionate about providing outstanding customer service, organization, effective business planning, and she instills her love for the Kennebec Valley community in all that she does.

University of Maine at Farmington names new athletics director

The University of Maine at Farmington has announced that after a national search, Jamie Beaudoin, long time UMF coach, has been named the next UMF athletics director. He started the position on June 3 and succeeds long time athletics director Julie Davis, according to a news release from the university.

The athletics director position at UMF provides leadership and management of Farmington’s comprehensive athletics program and supports student athletes, athletics department staff, the UMF campus and the greater community consistent with the University’s mission.

The director manages and develops appropriate human resources, facilities, equipment, services and funding to conduct programs using current best practices. Duties include creating leadership development opportunities for student athletes and a positive experience for student employees. As director, Beaudoin will oversee coaching, sports medicine, sports information, compliance and instructional staff to support 21 varsity programs, 15 NCAA and 6 USCSA.

He will also lead the creation and hosting of more than 100 conference and non-conference competitive events schedules and assure practice, training and sports medicine facilities for all varsity programs.

“During the national search, Jamie illustrated what he has provided our student athletes through expert coaching, dedicated mentoring and professional leadership during his long career at UMF. He also demonstrated insightful and creative ideas for building on UMF’s strong history of athletic success and campus and community impact. We are fortunate that he will be serving in this key role at UMF as we continue our commitment to campus wellness and Division III athletics and work to implement our new strategic plan,” said Christine Wilson, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.

Beaudoin has had a long career as a coach and athletics administrator. His career at Farmington started in 1998 when he first worked as the assistant men’s basketball coach and associate men’s soccer coach.

He served as Farmington’s head women’s basketball coach from 1999 to 2021 and was named associate athletics director in 2010. During his time leading UMF women’s hoops, Beaudoin guided the team to conference championships in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Beaudoin was the North Atlantic Conference and State of Maine Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2007.

Over his 22 seasons (1999-2000 to 2020-21) at the helm of UMF women’s basketball, Beaudoin posted an overall record of 294-261.

Beaudoin also coached men’s soccer for the Beavers from 2001 to 2007. Farmington enjoyed back-to-back conference titles in 2001 and 2002 under Beaudoin’s tutelage, and he was named the NAC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2006.

Beaudoin is a graduate of the UMF class of 1997, when he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Maine.

“During my time with the UMF Athletics department, I have had the opportunity to connect and build trust with student athletes, recruits and their families, department staff, alumni and members of the campus and Farmington communities. I take great pride in my time at Farmington and look forward to continuing to build on our successes and provide a first-class, student athletic experience for our students,” said Beaudoin.

Maine Dental Association hires executive director

The Maine Dental Association board of directors has announced Therese Cahill has been hired as the association’s new executive director.

Cahill brings a breadth of experience to the position, previously serving as the director of the Office of Child and Family Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the director of constituent services at the Office of the Secretary of State, a grants and contracts administrator at Maine Quality Counts, an investigator for the Maine Board of Dental Practice, and as a school counselor and a speech therapist in school systems in coastal, western and central Maine. She has also taught as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Maine at Augusta, according to a news release from the association.

“I am incredibly excited to be a part of the staff of the Maine Dental Association and support the work of its members. Thank you to the board for providing me this opportunity to help strengthen the collaboration and partnership between the members of the MDA and its community and business partners,” Cahill said. “Over the next several months, I hope to meet as many members and partners as I can and hear how the association can continue to improve its efforts in supporting dentists and dentistry throughout Maine.”

Cahill received her bachelor’s degree in speech correction from the University of Maine at Farmington and her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Southern Maine. She has been involved in several community organizations and groups, including the Maine School Counselors Association, the Maine Association for Play Therapy, the Maine Heart Association, OHI Maine and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley.

Cahill was born and grew up in Maine. She has lived in nine of Maine’s 16 counties and has family ties from the northern to the southern parts of the state.

Cahill began working full time as MDA executive director June 27.

Thomas College announces it hired new vice president for advancement

WATERVILLE — Well-known philanthropy professional Chelsea Moeller joined Thomas College as the new vice president for advancement this month.

Moeller is highly regarded in the Kennebec Valley region for her leadership and success on multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns, according to a news release from the college.

Moeller most recently served as the director of Donor Engagement and Capital Projects for the Children’s Center, an early intervention and family support services organization for children with special needs based in Augusta, where she successfully completed a $5.3 million capital campaign.

Moeller has also served as of director of Donor Engagement at Kennebec Valley Humane Society, and she has held many positions within the Philanthropy Office of MaineGeneral Health, where she helped raise $12 million for MaineGeneral’s new regional hospital.

In 2018, Moeller was selected as one of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy’s 40 under 40, an award recognizing future leaders within the health care development community.

Moeller holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and sociology/anthropology from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

“We are incredibly proud and excited for Chelsea to join the team at Thomas College,” said Thomas College President Laurie G. Lachance. “Her energy, talent, and passion are contagious and will be such an incredible asset to supporting the growth and success of our students and our college.”

At Thomas College, Moeller will focus on strategic oversight of advancement goals to help ensure financial access to Thomas College education through scholarship support as well as institutional sustainability through endowment growth that will provide long-term stability for the college.

Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger raises $121,036 in June

Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has announced it raised $121,036 as part of its 30-day, $100,000 Challenge fundraiser. This is the third year in a row that the campaign has conducted this monthlong fundraiser to benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank and local food pantries across the state, according to a news release from the Westbrook-based financial institution.

“To coincide with National Hunger Awareness Month, Maine credit unions encouraged their members, local businesses and others in their communities to make a donation to feed a hungry neighbor in need,” shared Todd Mason, president and CEO of the Maine Credit Union League. “And once again, Mainers stepped up to the challenge. We exceeded our fundraising goal and raised more dollars during this year’s Challenge than we did in 2021. I’m grateful for the outpouring of support for this important initiative and would like to thank everyone who made a contribution.”

The $100,000 challenge kicked off June 1 and ended June 30. Donations were accepted online and in credit union branches throughout the month. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised by Maine credit unions online or at local branches will be used to support food pantries and meal sites. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds raised online will benefit Good Shepherd Food Bank.

“Maine people never shy away from helping others in need, so while I’m thrilled with the fundraising results, I’m honestly not surprised we reached our goal to raise $100,000 in 30 days,” said Cheryl Lancaster, chief strategy officer at the Maine Credit Union League. “Hunger is a significant problem in our state, but if Mainers continue to come together through efforts like these, I’m hopeful we will eradicate hunger in the future. In the meantime, Maine credit unions will do their part to increase access to healthy and nutritious meals for people of all ages, in all corners of the state.”

A complete list of contributors to the $100,000 Ending Hunger Challenge can be found online at the campaign’s website at campaignforendinghunger.org. Contributions to the Campaign for Ending Hunger can be made online throughout the year.

Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $11.3 million, including over $930,000 in food and cash contributions in 2021.

UScellular donates $33,780 in wireless hotspots, service to Boys & Girls Club Augusta Teen Center

To help provide equitable learning access and opportunities and keep local youth connected, UScellular has donated 30 wireless hotspots and two years of service to Boys & Girls Club Augusta Teen Center as part of UScellular’s After School Access Project. Currently, more than 40 million people in the United States lack reliable access to high-speed internet. This leads to an issue known as the “homework gap” among youth who lack proper internet access. The After School Access Project provides free mobile hotspots and service to nonprofits that support youth after the school day has ended and provides safe internet access for homework and education.

“The success of students in the communities we serve is very important to us at UScellular. Connecting people and communities is our mission and the After School Access Project is just one way that we’re helping ensure students have the reliable access they need to grow and pursue their dreams,” said Tabatha McKay, area vice president/general manager for UScellular in New England, according to a news release from the company.

Through the After School Access Project, the company has pledged to donate up to $13 million in hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet in its markets. To date, the company has donated more than 3,800 hotspots, a value of $3.7 million, to its communities through this initiative. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply by going to AfterSchoolAccessProject.com.

Boys & Girls Club Augusta Teen Center will be offering students a summer learning program to help curve the learning loss because of COVID-19. The hotspots will keep kids connected over the summer break to continue their learning.

“These hotspots will address ongoing equity concerns around how to keep students connected outside of the classroom and during the summer break,” said Ashley Healey, assistant director of Boys & Girls Club Augusta Teen Center. “We intend to utilize the hotspots to offer our youth a summer learning program to help curve the learning loss due to COVID and we hope to improve youth engagement for those who need it most. Thank you, UScellular for supporting these efforts.”

Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. The hotspots provided through After School Access Project connect to UScellular’s network to provide high-speed connectivity for youth throughout August at the Boys & Girls Club Augusta Teen Center.

For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.

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