Member News

WATERVILLE, MAINE, April 2026 — Thomas College is hosting a five-day, five-night, hands-on education camp, Adult Working Canine Training Camp.

Hosted on Thomas College’s campus in Waterville, Maine from July 19-24, 2026, this camp is open to experienced and new handlers, and individuals interested in starting in the working dog fields of Search-and-Rescue (SAR), detection, sport/competition, and therapeutic service.

Participants are expected and encouraged to bring their healthy and fit canine partners. There will be openings in the seminar for observers without a canine partner.

This camp will be facilitated by two working canine experts, Thomas College professor Dr. Mark Marsolais and director of Brownell Canine Training, David Brownell.

Brownell has 40 years of experience as a canine handler, trainer, educator, and program manager. He has worked with thousands of dogs and hundreds of handlers and teams. He has evaluated and managed detector dog programs, personnel, and canines for disaster and search-and-rescue (SAR) groups, police agencies, and international security corporations. He has developed several canine screening and training curricula. Recently, Brownell was the Director of Canine Training for Ground Zero, where he utilized his knowledge, expertise, and management skills in the selection and production of superior canines for assignment to the Disaster and SAR communities. Currently, Brownell is working with a variety of individuals and teams in the canine fields and helping them increase their skills and knowledge in search, detection, and selection.

Marsolais is an experienced police K9 handler and supervisor (e.g., criminal apprehension, human remains, evidence). In addition to his police experience, Marsolais was a director of several international canine programs for a Washington, D.C. security corporation. Working with David, he has developed several K9 training curricula as well as the Brownell-Marsolais K9 Screening Assessment. Currently, he is a Professor of Criminal Justice and Security; he coordinates several of his college’s programs to include CJ-Homeland Security, Conservation Law Enforcement, CJ-Cybersecurity, and the MA in Criminology. He regularly teaches dozens of courses and recently developed a Minor in Canine (K9) Studies for Thomas College students interested in working with canines in criminal justice, education, business, homeland security, forensics, and psychology professions.

For more information or to register, visit Thomas College’s website.

WATERVILLE, MAINE, March 2026 — Thomas College is hosting a Graduate Open House on April 23, 2026, at 4-5 p.m. Open to professionals who are interested in graduate programs, this event will take place on Thomas College’s campus at 180 West River Road in Waterville.

This event is designed for professionals who are ready to advance their skills, expand their opportunities, and earn a master’s degree in business, education, criminology or cybersecurity. Registration is available online.

Thomas College announces New York Times Best Selling author and media and sports executive Bill Burke as its 2026 Commencement Speaker.

Burke, who has served as Chairman of the Portland Sea Dogs, president of TBS and CEO of the Weather Channel Companies, will speak at Thomas College’s 123rd Commencement on May 16. He will also receive an honorary degree.

Burke founded The Optimism Institute after a career in media and sports as an executive, writer, and producer. He developed the idea for the Institute in 2022 while he was a Fellow in Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees donated more than $26,000 to 10 Northern New England nonprofits as part of its Casual for a Cause charitable giving program in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Casual for a Cause participants dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected each quarter. The program participants then vote on which community organizations will receive the funds collected the previous quarter.

More than $463,000 has been donated by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust to Northern New England nonprofits since the program began in 2018.

Thomas College is excited to welcome high school students from across Maine and beyond to participate in its 2026 summer camps offered on campus. These immersive academic camps are designed to provide hands-on learning, skill-building, and real-world exploration, giving students a taste of college life while diving into engaging academic and career pathways.

This summer’s lineup includes three distinctive overnight camp experiences, each tailored to deliver immersive instruction, teamwork, and personal growth:

Lifestyle Sports Global, LLC (LSG) will transfer management of all their races to Maine Endurance Sports Alliance (MESA), a Maine nonprofit organization (501(c)3 (status is pending), ensuring the legacy and future success of the races bringing runners from all over the world to Central Maine. Over the past 4 years, LSG has developed 6 races, bringing over 1,200 runners with their family and friends, to Central Maine.

MESA will take the helm with some changes allowing more runners to participate in the events. The transition aims to leverage the new organization’s expertise in expanding community engagement, enhance the experience for runners, volunteers, event expansion and development of new events in Maine.

Thomas College is excited to welcome high school students from across Maine and beyond to participate in its 2026 summer camps offered on campus. These immersive academic camps are designed to provide hands-on learning, skill-building, and real-world exploration, giving students a taste of college life while diving into engaging academic and career pathways.

This summer’s lineup includes three distinctive overnight camp experiences, each tailored to deliver immersive instruction, teamwork, and personal growth:

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments looking for individuals who have a passion for economic development and want to help local businesses thrive.

The RLF Committee is responsible for reviewing loan applications and making recommendations for funding. KVCOG needs a diverse group of members who represent the different communities within Kennebec, Somerset, and Western Waldo Counties. Especially interested in people with backgrounds in:

• Banking
• Law
• Accounting
• Real Estate Appraisal
• Industrial or business leadership
• Public administration

The people who serve on this committee are committed to meeting at least 4x a year plus meetings as needed to discuss KVCOG’s revolving loan fund program and make decisions on approval/denials of loan applications.

Interested persons may contact Maggie Camden via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: 207-453-4258 ext: 221

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Jason Michaud to Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.

In this expanded leadership role, Michaud will continue to oversee the credit union’s financial strategy while working closely with the CEO to advance organizational priorities, strengthen enterprise risk management, and support long-term strategic growth.

Michaud brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience to the position, including 15 years in executive roles within financial institutions and five years in state regulatory service. Over the past decade, he has played a key role in helping guide the credit union’s strategic direction, contributing to asset growth from $60 million to $230 million.

WATERVILLE, Maine, February 2026 — Thomas College is proud to announce a new partnership with Central Maine Motors to deliver customized, on-site professional development and workforce training, marking the official launch of the College’s new Corporate Campus initiative.

In January, Thomas College’s Executive Director of Business Innovation and Corporate Campus, Nate Pelsma, delivered customer service training to 35 Central Maine Motors employees at the company’s facility. Following the success of the initial sessions, Central Maine Motors has committed to expanding the program across the organization in the coming months.

This partnership represents the first official collaboration under Corporate Campus, Thomas College’s employer-focused professional development model designed to help organizations grow and thrive by investing in their people. Corporate Campus works directly with employers to identify workforce and leadership development needs and delivers customized training that strengthens leadership capacity, enhances team effectiveness, and supports long-term organizational growth.

AUGUSTA, Maine—For 20 years, 211 Maine has been a trusted resource for people across the state, helping individuals and families to find the services they need, when they need them.

Every day, people in Maine reach out to 211 during moments of uncertainty: a parent worried about keeping the heat on, an older adult looking for food support, or someone seeking help for mental health or substance use concerns. These are not simple questions with simple answers. No matter what the need, when Maine calls, 211 answers.

In recognition of the program’s 20^th anniversary, 211 Maine is launching the $20k for 20 Years campaign.

WATERVILLE, Maine — Feb. 24, 2026 — Maine Children’s Home (MCH) has named Daniel Booth, MBA, interim executive director, effective February 3, 2026. Booth previously served more than 12 years on MCH’s board of directors, including six as president, and spent more than a decade as vice president of operations at Northern Light Inland Hospital.  

“Daniel Booth’s strategic leadership in this time of transition draws on his extensive operational leadership experience and his commitment to MCH’s

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) specializes in providing free resources, assistance, and programming that supports worksites in fostering healthy, safe, and thriving environments for staff and clients. Our programs focus on tobacco and vaping prevention, healthy eating, active living, and other wellness initiatives. Some offerings include:  Support updating and implementing Wellness and Tobacco Free Polices  Staff Education on wellness and tobacco topics  Tobacco treatment resources for employers to share  If you are interested in learning more about how HCCA might support your staff and clients, contact Isabelle Stevens (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Sarah Young (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

Cathy DeMerchant Assumes Full Ownership of Capital Area and Bangor Area Staffing Solutions Milestone marks next chapter of leadership and long-term vision AUGUSTA & BANGOR, Maine — Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc. has announced that co-founder Cathy DeMerchant has assumed full ownership of both firms, marking a new chapter for the woman-owned staffing and workforce consulting companies serving Central and Eastern Maine. DeMerchant, who has worked in the human resources and staffing industry for more than 30 years, now serves as President and Owner following the acquisition of her former partners’ interests. The transition formalizes a role she has effectively held for decades and positions the firms for continued growth with an expanded focus on direct hire, executive placement, and HR consulting services. “This transition is about building on what we already do exceptionally well,” said DeMerchant. “We’re a small team, but we’ve always had an outsized impact for our clients because we take the time to understand their people, their culture, and the real challenges they’re facing.”

Alfond Youth & Community Center Names Steven Scraggs Chief Executive Officer: to Begin February 1

Waterville, Maine – January 28, 2026 – The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) today announced that Steven Scraggs has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2026. Scraggs will lead AYCC’s mission to strengthen youth, families, and community programs and services that support health, belonging, and opportunity.

Additionally, the Board announced that Susan Scacchi has assumed the role of Board Chair. Susan, who serves as Executive Director of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, has been a committed board leader and brings extensive institutional knowledge and experience to the position.

“These leadership transitions reflect intentional planning and a shared vision for the AYCC’s future,” said Scacchi. “We are confident that Steven’s leadership, supported by strong board governance, will ensure continued stability, growth, and positive impact for the communities we serve.”