The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting on Jan. 8 elected Eric Handley of Sidney to serve as district Scouting chairman. Christopher Santiago of Vassalboro was tapped to serve as district Scouting commissioner.

The Kennebec Valley District, which delivers the programs of Scouting to communities and youth in Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Somerset and Franklin counties, is one of four in Pine Tree Council which covers the southern and western half of Maine. At the end of 2024, Kennebec Valley District had 22 Scout Troops and 12 Cub Scout Packs made up of 194 Scouts and 232 Cub Scouts. Twelve youth in Kennebec Valley earned Scouting’s highest rank, the Eagle Scout award, in 2024, and 564 Merit Badges were earned by the Scouts, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman for the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting.

Handley will preside at district committee meetings and represent the district on the council executive board. He will oversee all subcommittees that help deliver and grow Scouting.

Handley, the point of sale IT manager for Aubuchon Company, had been serving as district commissioner prior to the annual meeting. He began his Scouting career in 1972 when he joined Cub Scouts in Gorham, N.H., and followed that as a Scout in Windsor, Vt., Troop 218.

Santiago, the director of safety and security at Thomas College, has been involved in Scouting since his son joined Cub Scouts in Vassalboro Pack 410, serving as den leader and then Cubmaster. He became assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 410 when his son crossed over to the Scouts. He has also served on the District Committee, as the district duty to God coordinator, as a unit commissioner and as the district training co-chair.

The District Committee also selected Jamie Santiago of Vassalboro to serve as district vice chair of finance and Joseph Poulin of Oakland to serve as district vice chair of program.

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