Board of Directors
President - Laurieann Milligan of Northern Oxford Regional Ambulance Service DBA/Med-Care Ambulance
Laurieann Milligan has been employed at Med-Care since 2001 which she is currently the Administrative Assistant and the Community Outreach Coordinator. Laurieann, her husband Dean, and their 4 children moved to the River Valley area in 2001 and currently reside in the Town of Peru. Laurieann believes in giving back to the communities that she is involved in throughout the River Valley. She is currently a selectmen for the Town of Peru. She has made it her commitment to address injury prevention for all ages by becoming a State of Maine Chapter Leader for Risk Watch Safe Communities which provides injury prevention programs within the schools and public forums. She has also become the Western Maine Affiliate leader for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association which also delivers public education and literature on Awareness and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. She also was the lead official to bring the State of Maine Heartsafe Community Status to the River Valley Region spearhead.
1st Vice President - Janet Brennick of Bangor Savings Bank
I am the Branch Assistant at the Rumford Branch of Bangor Savings Bank and have been with the Bank since 2002. My husband, Mike and I both grew up in the River Valley. We have two children, both graduates of Mountain Valley High School. My oldest son, Chris is a graduate from the University of Maine at Farmington and youngest, Keith is currently a junior at University of Maine at Orono.
I have always been actively involved with youth sports while raising my two children. The Area Youth Football is a program that as a tag team my husband and I were fortunate enough to manage for 2 years. We started and facilitated a 6th – 8th grade co-ed basketball program at the Mexico Recreation Center for 3 years, allowing kids that may not make the school teams to remain active in the sport. Even after our kids had grown, we remain active in the Western Maine Youth Basketball League, where Mike coached a 5th and 6th grade boy’s team until 2009, and I currently remain the Treasurer. These are just a few of the activities that we (Mike and I) have been involved in over the years that I will always look back on and cherish.
I joined the Chamber because I believe it is important to stay involved and contribute to the community that I live in and love. I love the River Valley area and all that it has to offer. I look forward to serving with a board that is so passionate about the towns that I grew up in.
2nd Vice President - Patti Daigle
I have been employed at The Fitch Company since 2008 and am currently a CAD operator/Administrative Assistant.
I grew up in the Rumford area; graduated from Mountain Valley High School. I am married to Michael Daigle and together we have 5 children; 3 of my own and 2 of his. My oldest son Chris is currently attending EMCC and Husson University studying Business, my daughter Nikki is a junior at the University of New England in the Sports Management program, Michael (T3) is working in Rangeley and Seth and Hannah are both in the Hampden School systems.
I have been involved with youth sports while my children participated. I am a past Vice President and Treasurer of the MVHS Athletic Boosters, participated in the football spaghetti suppers as well as helping with the Area Youth Football program concessions.
My parents (Bizz and Sandra Carignan) instilled a sense of volunteering and community involvement which my father continues to this day and I look forward to being an active member of the River Valley Chamber.
Treasurer - Leanne Gagne of Franklin Savings Bank
After growing up in the Greater Portland area, my husband Greg and I moved to Dixfield in 1988. I have worked for Franklin Savings Bank for the past 22 years, the last 10+ as a loan officer. I can honestly say I love my job, the people I work with and the area I live in. We have had several employment opportunities out of this area and have chosen to stay. We value the way of life here - the small town atmosphere, family oriented activities and the strong civic and school pride evident in many local events. We have raised two children here, both of them graduating from Dirigo High School. My son Marc is currently a middle school teacher and coach in Goffstown, NH. My daughter Katherine is going into her senior year at UMF, also majoring in education.
I joined the Chamber to help promote local business and share with others the many opportunities and value the River Valley has to offer. This is a special place and I want everyone to know it!
Director-Kerry Burgess of Dead River Company
I am the Office/Credit Manager for Dead River Company. I began my career with the company in 1995 and have held various positions through which I have had the pleasure of establishing relationships with our customers and have helped deliver on Dead River Company’s promise of customer excellence.
Having been born and raised in Rumford gives me a true appreciation for all that the community has to offer. My husband, Corey Burgess (also a native) and I have been married since 1993. We love both nature and animals. We have a dog, Chloe, who is our “baby”. We enjoy traveling throughout the United States and the Caribbean and challenge ourselves to visit new places every year.
I look at my involvement in the Chamber and Rotary as an opportunity to directly contribute to revitalizing the area’s business climate and encouraging other members to get involved.
Director - Catherine Johnson of Hope Association
AssociationCatherine Johnson – Hope Association since 1994, Financial Manager and Residential Director; Catherine moved to the River Valley area in 1996, she has 2 Children; one attends Orono and the other is an MVHS Junior. Catherine spent summers in Weld where her mom and dad still reside. She is attracted to the small town where everyone knows one another. Catherine enjoys the convenience of the downtown area where you can walk to many shops and eateries. There are many opportunities to join clubs and associations to assist the community in a variety of ways.
Director - Brian Arsenault of Community Energy
Brian Arsenault graduated from Mountain Valley High School in 1998. He attended Burke Mountain Academy as a post grad and then graduated from the University of Southern Maine in Portland with a degree in Business Administration.
He is employed at Community Energy Co. and is married to Jessica Arsenault.
Brian is an avid skier and enjoys being in the outdoors and volunteering with the Chisholm Ski Club and Black Mountain of Maine.
He is a member of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and has been on the Board of Directors since 2008. Brian strongly believes in both Rumford and the potential the river valley holds. The possibilities for the active imagination are endless.
Director - Jennifer Kreckel of Kaynor & Kreckel
Jennifer Kreckel came to Rumford 16 years ago with her husband, Dieter Kreckel, a family physician with Swift River Health Care, and two children, Deirdre and Brendan. My children both graduated from Mountain Valley High. Deirdre is currently in the Air Force training to be a crypto-linguist. Brendan is attending Norwich University.
Jennifer graduated from Temple University with a B.A. magna cum laude and from Syracuse University with a J.D. cum laude. Dieter and Jennifer have lived in Germany, Pennsylvania and Maryland, but chose Rumford, Maine as their home.
Jennifer has been practicing law in the River Valley for almost 16 years and has been in partnership with Peter J. Kayor in the firm Kaynor & Kreckel, P.A. on Congress Street in Rumford for the past nine years. They handle estate planning, probate, corporate, civil, real estate, personal injury, social security law and family law.
Director - Jim Brown of Western Maine Insurance
Jim Brown is a native of the River Valley. With over 30 years experience in the Insurance Industry, he is a Partner in United Insurance and Agency Manager of Western Maine Insurance for the past 12 years. He moved back to this area after living in Southern Maine, to take advantage of everything the area has to offer. He sees the Chamber Board as a way to give back to the community that supports his business.
Director - Philip Mills of Rumford Group Homes
Philip returned to the State of Maine in 1989 after working thirteen years for a national computer company as an organizational change consultant. He spent the last twenty years working in the non-profit sector here in beautiful Western Maine. He worked several years as the Coordinator for the Northern Oxford County Council On Transition (NOCCOT) working with individuals, schools and families to develop a structure to serve the needs of youth with disabilities. Next he worked for Western Maine Transportation Services (WMTS) as the Deputy Manager providing public transportation to the Tri-County Area. Currently Phil is working for Rumford Group Homes, Inc. as the Director of Operations, meeting the needs of children, youth and families throughout the tri-county area.
Phil truly enjoys the four seasons of Western Maine and all they have to offer for recreation and beauty!
Director - Sherry Milligan owner of Davis Florist and partner of Carrabassett Spring Water Inc.
Sherry was born and raised in Rumford. She lives here with her daughter Erin, a Mountain Valley High School Sophomore. Sherry and her twin sister Shelly have owned and operated Davis Florist Inc. in Rumford since 1990. She also manages Carrabassett Spring Water Inc. in Peru.
Sherry loves this community. She remains grateful for the support she received with the illness of her late husband, Michael Milligan and appreciative of all the wonderful people who live in the area. It is very important to Sherry to keep the River Valley area a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Director - Barbara Belanger, representing Rumford Hospital
Barbara Belanger is a native to the Rumford area and is married with 2 grown children and 1 granddaughter.
She has been a member of the Rumford Hospital Board for 13 years, the Rumford Community Home Board for 11 years, the Development Committee for the Rumford Hospital for 10 years, a Rotary member for 5 years, and is currently the President of the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary.
Barbara loves Maine because of its four seasons and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. She has always felt Rumford is a safe and friendly community and is a great place to raise children. She treasures the people and the experiences a small town atmosphere provide.
Director - Sandra Witas
I grew up in Dixfield; graduating from Dirigo High School in 1990. I currently reside in Rumford with my very supportive husband, Merle. My sons, Caleb and Jacob, will be freshmen in high school in the fall of 2011 and our daughter, Annelise, will be in kindergarten.
I have been employed with River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition since 2009. I began as an administrative assistant and was recently promoted to project coordinator. My passions involve food and family. I was fortunate enough to begin working closely with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Harvest for Hunger program in 2009. It has helped me to truly learn the value of paying it forward as well as understanding the importance of seeing people for who they are not what they are. Educating the River Valley about nutrition and sustainability has allowed me to be a part of a “growing” effort to build strength within the community. I believe that the Western Mountains are a great place to live, work and play and I challenge anyone to visit the treasures that Western Maine has to offer.
Being on the Board of Directors for the River Valley Chamber of Commerce will give me another platform to engage people and share the healthy choices that can be made here.
My name is Peter Perry and I am the newly appointed Administrator for the River Valley Chamber of Commerce. My office is located in the Rumford Information Center (not Booth) located at10 Bridge St. I am a life-long resident of this community (other than the college years) and have a deep appreciation and affection for the people from this community. My wife Carmen is also a life-long resident and my 3 adult children, Dawn, Katie and Nicholas all attended community schools and graduated from Mountain Valley High School. I recently became a grandfather for the first time (Harrison Romeo Emerman his middle named for my father-in-law and a life-long Rumford resident Romeo Glazier). My other two children are getting married in 2011!!! I am the longtime “Voice of the Mountain Valley Falcons” football team (according to Tony, my brother–in-law). I enjoy golf, basketball and traveling to Boston and South Portland to visit my children and my grandson (hopefully more to come).
So far the experience with the Chamber has helped me meet some new people and businesses and I enjoy trying to work with them through the Chamber. I hope to utilize my years of experience in the community and my many contacts and friends to help this community sustain and grow. Thanks to Christie Volkernick who sat in this chair and helped me during my first week of employment. Christie, you are missed by all those that you worked with the past summer. Good luck at UMASS Boston and make sure you stop in and visit here at the Information Center.
If anyone has questions or would like to contact the River Valley Chamber of Commerce please call 364-3241 or contact me via the contact form. I may not be in the office but I will gladly give you a returned call or e-mail as soon as possible.
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