Karen Petrin
PRESQUE ISLE — New Ventures Maine (formerly Women, Work, and Community) has announced the addition of Karin Petrin as a new microenterprise specialist.
Petrin is based at New Ventures’ northern office in Preble Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and will provide small business development and personal financial management services in Aroostook County.
She has an associate in applied science in business administration from Northern Maine Community College and is completing a bachelor of science in business administration with an accounting emphasis at Southern New Hampshire University.
Petrin lives in Washburn and currently serves on the town’s planning board. She brings 24 years of management experience from both the public and private sectors. She has owned small and micro businesses in Maine and New Hampshire, served locally in different municipal roles, and managed budgets totaling millions of dollars. A longtime member of the Presque Isle Historical Society and Order of Eastern Star, Petrin said she is passionate about helping people meet their small business and personal financial goals.
Suzanne Senechal-Jandreau, New Ventures’ regional manager in Aroostook County, said Petrin is a welcome addition to the team. “She has stepped right into her position, offering Introduction to Self-employment workshops, and responding to calls for business assistance,” Senechal-Jandreau said.
Petrin’s interests include economic development, leadership, and connecting people to resources and partnerships that increase quality of life. She said she is looking forward to being a resource for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and community partners throughout The County.
She has already begun working with community members. Upcoming classes include Business Basics from June 14-28 and Venturing Forth: Business Planning for Entrepreneurs, planned for Sept. 6-Dec. 13.
New Ventures Maine, a program of UMA and the UMS, helps people all over the state venture in new directions by offering tuition free programs for career, business, and financial education. Training is offered in person and online.
For further information, contact Petrin at 768-9468 or visit newventuresmaine.org.
