Our Staff

Prior to coming on board with SCEC, Elaine served as Eastport’s city manager and has diligently promoted Washington County on state and federal levels in areas ranging from health care inequities to digital literacy.  She has lived in Washington County since 2007 and holds a Bachelor Degree from the University of Maine at Machias.  Elaine and her husband Kerry (and their two lazy dogs) happily divide their time between their homes in Eastport and Alexander.

Kate Behrens joined SCEC in May 2025 as a Lobster Gear Research Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University, with additional training in conservation conflict transformation and mediation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Ecology and Environmental Science at the University of Maine. Her research is focused on relationship-building and repair between parties involved in the entanglement of North Atlantic right whales in lobster fishing gear.

Originally from Michigan, Kate brings an interdisciplinary background in social work, field response, conservation practice, and fisheries to her work. She began her career as a social worker, building trust with and supporting individuals and families in high stakes situations. She later moved to Hawaiʻi where she conducted field response, resuce, and outreach for protected marine species. There, she found her background in human behavior particularly useful in navigating the challenging and complex dynamics of fisheries management and conservation. Kate went on to work in Washington, D.C. gaining experience in the legal and policy frameworks governing these topics.

Kate resides in Belfast with her pup, Bellaroo, and is an active member of the ComeBoating! rowing community.

Denise Cilley joined Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) in April 2019 and serves as the organization’s Associate Director. As a member of SCEC’s executive leadership team, Denise helps guide the organization’s strategic direction and daily operations, with a focus on developing new and expanding programs, strengthening small businesses, and building long-term regional capacity. She played a central leadership role in the community engagement, capital campaign, construction, and launch of the MaineStreet Business Building and helped establish and grow SCEC’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship team.

In her Associate Director role, Denise focuses on leadership and program development, cross-team collaboration, and sustainable growth across SCEC while deepening partnerships and regional stakeholder engagement.

Prior to joining the SCEC Team, Denise developed her career across nearly 15 years of experience in banking and finance, including commercial credit risk, real estate, and lending leadership. She holds an MBA from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and earned her earlier business management degrees from Washington County Community College and the University of Maine at Machias. She is currently enrolled in Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Executive PhD program and also serves as adjunct business faculty at Washington County Community College and University of Maine at Machias.

Deeply committed to civic leadership, Denise is an elected Select Board Member for the Town of Jonesport. She lives in Jonesport with her family and is passionate about community-driven development, expanding opportunity for rural entrepreneurs and small business owners, and supporting Washington County’s future workforce.

Angela Cox joined SCEC in February of 2020. She is the Enrollment and Eligibility Officer for Family Futures Downeast. Angela recruits and enrolls families into the program and assists with administrative duties. She is a Certified Mental Health Technician and previously provided case management services to individuals in the Waterville area.

She was born and raised in Washington County. She currently resides in Machias with her golden retriever Willow.

Matt Dana II joined SCEC in May of 2022 as the Working Communities Challenge Partnership Director. In his role, he helps facilitate, coordinate, and maintain the Washington County & Passamaquoddy Tribe team partnership.

Prior to joining SCEC, he was in Law Enforcement for 21 years for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township. He was both the Chief Game Warden and Chief of Police at separate times in his career at Indian Township Tribal Government. He also served a four term as the Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative to the Maine Legislature.

Matt currently lives at Indian Township with his wife Nakia and two dogs. He is a proud father of one daughter and two sons, and an extremely proud Mumu of 4. He also co-owns two small businesses. He enjoys almost everything to do with the outdoors. 

Gen has been a member of the Sipayik Resilience Committee since 2022 and began her position as Co-Director in July, 2024. Gen is an enrolled tribal member at the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point and is a licensed Master Social Worker. Gen is currently pursuing a certificate in Public & Nonprofit Management at the University of Southern Maine.

Atrica “Dodie” Emerson joined SCEC as the Downeast Community Catalyst in October 2023. She is a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Division team, and her primary role is to engage and support Washington County’s businesses, communities, and families to create awareness of programs and services, build skills and connections to resources, and foster relationships that enhance recovery, well-being, and economic outcomes in the county’s communities.

Before joining SCEC, Dodie worked at the CareerCenter in the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services for 23 years. She holds a BS in Management and Human Services, an AS in Business Technology – Office Information Management, and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Maine at Machias.

Dodie is a lifelong resident of Washington County and resides in Addison with her husband, Ossie, and their son, Jacob.

Gabriela joined SCEC in April 2017.  Gabriela manages the financial aspects of the many contracts and grants which support SCEC’s work. Gabi received her B.S. in Social Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy and M.A. in English at New Mexico State University, Gabriela has worked as both a USAF finance officer and as a College and High School English instructor.

Gabi also serves on the non-profit boards of the Maine Association of Non Profits, Cobscook Institute and the Maine Fiber Frolic. She also volunteers as the co-coordinator of the Fleece tent at the annual MOFGA Common Ground Fair and is an active member of the Maine fiber arts community.

Gabriela lives in Trescott with her family and pets. She spends her spare time spinning, knitting and processing wool, as well as teaching others about fiber arts.

Donielle joined SCEC in January of 2024 to become a FFD Coach. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services from the University of Maine at Augusta, a Certificate in Substance Use and Recovery, and an associate degree in Human Services from Washington County Community College. She also holds an MHRTC Certification.

She was born and raised in Washington County and now has 5 children that she and her partner Curtis are raising, Wyatt, Abigael, Nathan, Hunter, and David. Donielle is very passionate about food insecurity and enjoys working at a local food pantry. Donielle enjoys fishing, hunting, and attending her children’s sports events.

Before working at SCEC, Donielle worked at Downeast Community Partners as a Family Coach, and at Healthy Acadia before that as a Recovery Coach.

Brittany is a native Texan with over 15 years of combined experience in the natural resource field, education and outreach, and collaborative partnerships. She earned her B.S. in Biology (with a concentration in Marine and Freshwater Biology) and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. As the Coordinator of the Downeast Fisheries Partnership (DFP), she is dedicated to advancing the Partnership’s mission and supports collaboration among its partners.

Cecil Gardner joined SCEC in May of 2023 after completing an internship with the Maine Office of Tourism and his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Maine. He finished his bachelor’s in environmental sustainability and sociology in 2010 from Loyola University in Chicago where he also focused on jazz drumming.

Prior to joining SCEC, Cecil helped to launch two Greater Portland music venues, performed door-to-door sales across Southern Maine with Maine Green Power and Efficiency Maine, and organized some of the most successful electronic music events in Portland.

He currently lives on Deer Isle with his girlfriend where they hike, cook, explore, and frequent businesses across the region. Fun fact: Cecil has played the drum kit for 26 years.

Mae Garvin joined SCEC in January of 2020 as a Finance Assistant to Gabriela Eyerman. After growing up in Down East Maine Mae has lived many places in the U.S. where she honed her skills in Finance and Human Resources. Throughout the years working in many different types of industries in major metropolitan cities, and in suburban and rural communities. After returning to her roots here, but prior to join SCEC, Mae worked for Washington Academy, Down East Community Hospital, and UMM.

Mae lives in Bailey’s Mistake where she spent her formative years, enjoying the quiet and scenery that only Down East Maine can offer. In her spare time, she volunteers on many Board of Directors, and other positions for lots of the organizations in need. She takes classes at UMM. And she scrapbooks and spends time walking the beach.

Brooke Hachey has been a part of SCEC since August 2023, initially serving as the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Coordinator before transitioning to her current role as the Gear Coordinator. Her journey with SCEC began after completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Communities Studies at the University of Maine at Machias in 2019. Prior to joining SCEC, Brooke dedicated five years to the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services, where she honed her skills and passion for community outreach.

A proud Washington County resident, Brooke’s roots run deep in the fishing community. Before and while pursuing her degree, she actively managed her family’s lobster wharf, gaining firsthand experience in the challenges and opportunities facing coastal communities.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Brooke finds joy in her role as a parent to her two children, Ray and Delilah, and takes great pride in caring for her rescue animals. She calls Addison home, where she continues to contribute to the vibrant fabric of her community both personally and professionally.

Ashley develops communications strategy and oversees small business programs at Sunrise County Economic Council.

She leads the Small Business and Entrepreneurship team as they support entrepreneurs through 1:1 advising, learning opportunities, technical assistance, and community building. She also shapes how SCEC tells its story by using strategic communications, branding, and storytelling to amplify the organization’s impact across the region.

Prior to working with SCEC, Ashley worked for more than fifteen years with small businesses and nonprofits to strengthen their visual identity, brand voice, and communications strategy through her business AHD Design.

Ashley has a master’s degree in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace, and a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from Lesley University.

Crystal joined SCEC in February 2020 after 7 years with the Washington County Council of Governments and DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism.  Crystal facilitates and leads community-level and region-wide initiatives to plan, fund, develop, promote, and manage natural and cultural heritage resources and recreation assest across Washington and Hancock Counties.  Planning projects that Crystal directs include:

• Downeast Maine National Heritage Area – feasibility and management planning for a nationally significant heritage preservation initiative in partnership with municipalities, community organizations, the National Park Service, and state partners
• Bold Coast National Scenic Byway and Blackwoods State Scenic Byway – feasibility and management planning and project implementation in partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation, municipalities, and community organizations

Crystal also coordinates municipally-led rural transportation planning initiatives to develop safe transportation infrastructure for all users (including motorized vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and off-road vehicles) in partnership with municipalities and the MaineDOT.

Tora Johnson joined SCEC in January 2024 and is the director of the Sustainable Prosperity Initiative. A social scientist and geographer, Tora has a master’s degree in human ecology from College of the Atlantic and a PhD in human dimensions of natural resources from the University of Maine. Her work focuses on supporting resilience and economic development, sustainable fisheries, local and regional planning, and dignity-centered community engagement. Prior to joining the SCEC staff, Tora worked in academia, serving nearly 20 years on the faculty at the University of Maine at Machias where she is now a professor emeritus. She is an external graduate faculty member with the School of Forest Resources and an external faculty associate with the George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine. She is on several boards and committees focusing on community and environmental issues in Maine and the Downeast Region.

Before becoming a mom in 1996, Tora made a career of teaching and crewing aboard several of the large sailing vessels that ply the coast of New England, as well as commercial fishing in Alaska. Also a writer, Tora’s award-winning book, Entanglements: The Intertwined Fates of Whales and Fishermen, was released in 2005. She was the marine reporter for the Martha’s Vineyard Times from 1998 to 2000, and she published the Guide to Freshwater Animals without Backbones with Arlene De Strulle in 1997. She has collaborated with installation artists and sculptors on community-based and place-based installation art projects.

Tora lives in Machias with her husband, fisherman and fish monger Chris Mullen. She loves to hike and snowshoe with her two dogs on the region’s many trails, as well as messing about in boats.

James Jutras joined SCEC in July 2023 by way of Northern Vermont with a career in Water Quality and Public Works. His degree is in Natural Resources Management with broad professional work in public works infrastructure and municipal utility operations. Project management experience has been from concept through engineering and implementation. He currently maintains a Grade 5 Wastewater Operator Certification in Maine, MA and VT. Work history also included day to day wastewater treatment facility operations, small scale renewable energy development projects (combined heat and power), energy conservation, and construction management. He can assist SCEC served communities in moving projects from concept to permit and financing, then construction.

In his spare time, James and his wife Pauline enjoy exploring the beauty, quiet and solitude Downeast has to offer.

With over 10 years in Healthcare IT, Geoffrey brings a wealth of knowledge in resolving intricate IT challenges and processes. His experience ranges from Software, hardware, project management, and EHR. In his role with SCEC, Geoffrey works with businesses to leverage technology to drive business growth and innovation.

Geoffrey holds an MBA and a Master’s in Information Systems from Middle Tennessee State University.

Geoffrey lives in Beals with his wife, daughter, and their two dogs.

Meredith joined Sunrise County Economic Council in July 2025 as the Loan and Grant Program Manager. She works directly with entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Washington County, helping them access the capital they need to grow, retain talent, and strengthen the regional economy.

With over a decade of experience in finance and strategic leadership across a variety of sectors, Meredith brings a systems-oriented, human-centered approach to her work. She is passionate about making finance and financial education accessible to all, and thrives on helping others turn insight into action.

Meredith lives in Machias with her two children and loves spending time outdoors, cooking, reading, and visiting friends and family in Hawaii whenever she can.

Bio coming soon!

Jessica  joined SCEC in the summer of 2016. She has Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Community Studies from the University of Maine at Machias and a Masters degree in Leadership Studies from University of Southern Maine. She also has a mental health rehabilitation certification from Washington County Community College.

Prior to working at SCEC, Jessica was an intern at the Community Caring Collaborative where she organized training programs. As a case manager at Wings for Children and Families, Jessica managed client cases and undertook home visits.

Chelsey lives in Calais with her wife, daughter, and two fur babies, Fin and Ebony. She is a positive, fun-loving person who enjoys the outdoors (unless it’s winter), especially during the grilling season.