PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Action Program has appointed two familiar faces to key leadership posts.
Jamie Chandler, of Mapleton, will become the agency’s first-ever chief operating officer , and Sherry Locke, also of Mapleton, joins the team as development and communications manager.
“I am thrilled to have two such capable and energetic community leaders join our agency’s executive leadership team,” said Jason Parent, ACAP executive director and CEO.
“Jamie has assumed increasing responsibility with ACAP in recent years and has demonstrated strong leadership and the drive to find new approaches to how we advance our work. Sherry has quickly established herself as a thoughtful and key leader in the Aroostook non-profit community and has the insight and ability to think outside the box to find creative solutions to regional challenges. Both have a drive and passion to help make life better for Aroostook County people,” Parent said.
In her most recent six-year tenure with ACAP, Chandler has touched all areas of the agency, especially in her current role as service delivery coordinator. She first joined ACAP early in her professional career before transitioning to The Aroostook Medical Center, where she served as the manager for the North Street Health Care Center and oversaw a large number of staff and operations of the facility. She returned to ACAP in 2013.
Chandler will officially assume the COO position on Sept. 3. She will work with agency team members to finalize the new program leadership structure.
“I am proud to have been a part of ACAP’s team as we have transformed our service delivery model to a more comprehensive approach,” Chandler said. “I get energized as I think about the opportunities in store for ACAP. As COO, I will continue to work to ensure ACAP serves as a partner in the community serving residents throughout Aroostook County.”
Chandler has been a key leader in the organizational transformation at ACAP to adopt a comprehensive service delivery model that incorporates a whole-family approach for families with young children enrolled in the agency’s early care and education programs. She will continue to advance this work in her new capacity, as all programs will report in to her.
Locke will begin her role as development and communications manager on Sept. 16.
She has served as the executive director for the United Way of Aroostook for the past three years and has been a community partner with ACAP and other regional non-profits. She previously worked for MMG Insurance and managed a retail operation in The County.
In her new capacity with ACAP, Locke will lead communications, community engagement, fundraising and oversee the agency’s efforts to secure new grant resources. She will continue the work initiated in recent years to raise The County’s largest social service provider’s community profile and better educate the public about the causes and conditions of poverty.
“I am looking forward to being able to continue to serve the people of Aroostook County in a new and exciting way. UWA and ACAP have partnered for decades and it will be a very smooth transition,” said Locke.
According to Parent, Locke brings with her a dynamic leadership style. She assumes the newly designed position (formerly resource developer) at an exciting time for ACAP. She will be a key leader in the organizational transformation and will work closely with the agency team countywide on new projects to advance ACAP and assist the agency in better serving the region.
Submitted by the Aroostook County Action Program.
