Six new members join The Aroostook County Action Program Inc. board

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Action Program Inc. welcomed six new board members during its Nov. 17 annual meeting.

“We are so pleased to have these exceptional members of our community join our board of directors,” said Jason Parent, ACAP executive director. “We know their experience and backgrounds will provide an important voice and perspective to the work we do to help our most vulnerable citizens in Aroostook County.”

The following joined this year’s board.

Denise Duperre, who resides in Madawaska and is on the management team at Norstate Federal Credit Union as a certified marketing executive. She is an advocate for Ending Hunger and has organized many food drives to stock local food pantries throughout central and northern Aroostook.

Rosa McNally, grant writer for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. She has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and administration. She has served on several boards and currently serves as a councilor for the Town of Houlton.

Ryan Czosnek of Fort Fairfield, father of three boys, one of whom has Down syndrome and goes to the ACAP Head Start program. He is the founder of Aroostook Down Syndrome Support Group and works closely with many local and regional organizations to meet the needs of those affected with mental illness and Down syndrome.

Jodi Cyr, who lives in Caribou with her family. She worked for the Aroostook Mental Health Center for over seven years before leaving the workforce to become a stay-at-home mom. She keeps busy with the care of her three children and is active in her church.

Josselyn Langworthy of Presque Isle, the mother of two young children. She is appreciative of ACAP’s Early Intervention Program for her eldest son. She is a graduate of the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a degree in political science and a minor in business.

Patricia Sutherland of Chapman, who has served for a number of years on the Chapman Select Board, and in 2014 was named to the executive committee of the Maine Municipal Association. Her career included a number of years as a college administrator at NMCC and a public school teacher. She served in the Maine Legislature and has served on various nonprofit boards in Aroostook County.

“As a community action agency, ACAP is required to have a tripartite board of directors,” said Steve Richard, board chair. “This directive means that our 21-member board has equal representation from the consumer, public and private sectors to ensure we are drawing on the expertise and knowledge of people from varied backgrounds.

“The individuals noted above, along with our entire board of directors, represents each of these sectors. This structure is one of the reasons that ACAP and other community action agencies nationwide are highly regarded for the work they do,” Richard said.

In addition to the incoming board members noted above, the following incumbent board members will serve another year:

Executive committee: Stephen Richard, Presque Isle, chair; William Egeler, Presque Isle, vice chair; Trudy Gorneault, Presque Isle, secretary; Paula Sperrey, Presque Isle, treasurer; Dan MacDonald, Caribou, parliamentarian and Gary Sanfacon, Caribou, member at large. Members: Jeff Ashby, Presque Isle; Christine Brown, Caribou; Dianne Collins, Presque Isle; Bonnie Foster, Houlton; Theresa Fowler, Mapleton; David Keaton, Caribou; Carolyn Kimball, Presque Isle; Ryan E. Pelletier, Frenchville; and Suzanne Senechal-Jandreau, Caribou.