Board of Directors

Elaine Abbott, Regional Broadband Coordinator

Chair

Brian Frutchey - Down East Community Hospital

Brian Frutchey is the Director of Support Services for Downeast Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital based in Washington County, Maine. He has a passion for developing his personal leadership skills and strengthening that of the teams he works with. With more than 15 years of management experience, Brian has established a reputation for leading successful businesses to financial growth while reducing employee turnover. Brian has been sought out for his insights and contributions to the workforce sector, bringing a unique blend of personal experience and expertise to the work.

In his current role Brian oversees the maintenance, security, environmental services and biomedical departments with 50+ employees throughout both hospitals. He has been part of multiple speaking engagements as a content expert on the intersection of employment and recovery. Brian played a key role in the development of the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network and is deeply passionate about supporting the workforce and recovery efforts across Washington County.

Brian serves as Board Chair for Sunrise County Economic Council. He also serves on the Selectboard for the Town of Northfield and the Board of Visitors for the Washington county Jail.

To grow his leadership skills Brian has participated in the Washington County Leadership Institute and the Dale Carnegie leadership course, Develop Your Leadership Potential: Stop Doing, Start Leading, as well as attending the University of Maine at Machias where he studied business and marketing.

Brian volunteers his time with community activities that include coaching junior league sports teams and community recovery efforts. Brian resides on beautiful Bog Lake with his wife Abby and their three children, Spencer, Brianna, and Micah and their dog, Jade.

Vice Chair

Monique Claverie - Business, Paper Industry

Monique Claverie is currently the Senior Manager of Technical Customer Service and Marketing for UPM’s Pulp Division in North America. Previously, she was the Quality Manager for St Croix Tissue in Baileyville. She grew up in Aroostook County and attended the University of Maine, graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering.

Currently, Monique is also serving on the Board and as Chair of the Recruiting Committee for the University of Maine Pulp & Paper Foundation, sits on the FOR/ME Workforce Committee, the Advisory Council for New Ventures Maine, and volunteers as a mentor to high school girls with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. She also channels her creative energy into a small sewing business called Cobscook Stitches. In her free time she loves to garden, cook, spend time with family and enjoy the gorgeous outdoors here in Downeast Maine! She joined the SCEC Board in 2023.

Treasurer

Nicholas MacDonald - Town of Machias

Nicholas MacDonald is the Finance Director and Assistant Director of HR for the Town of Machias, leading financial operations, budgeting, payroll, and fiscal reporting, while collaborating with town leadership to strengthen systems, support economic revitalization, and position the community for sustainable growth. In parallel, he works as Director of Client Engagement for C‑Lect Consulting, advising organizations on technology integration, operational optimization, and customer experience strategy.

Nicholas remains connected to higher education as an adjunct faculty member at Washington County Community College, teaching business, management, and finance courses. His commitment to mentorship, professional development, and knowledge sharing continues to be a driving force in his career.

Secretary

Charlie McAlpin - Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative

Charlie is the Manager of Member Services and Communication at Eastern Maine Electric Co-op (EMEC), a consumer-owned utility serving 3,000 square miles in Washington, Penobscot, and Aroostook Counties. In 1998, he filed a successful application for a USDA Rural Economic Development loan as part of a complex funding package for the Calais Children’s Project, which created 100 local jobs providing residential care and psychological treatment for at-risk children. EMEC was a guarantor of that loan. Charlie is a Rotarian, a member of the Greater East Grand Economic Council, and a past president of the national-level Council of Cooperative Communicators.

He has been involved with the SCEC since 1997, when he began the first of three tenures on the board of directors. As a past Council Chair, he has observed SCEC’s growth from a small upstart NGO into a critically important facilitator and resource for economic progress.

Ardis Brown - Town of Danforth

Ardis Brown is town manager of the Town of Danforth and leads Danforth Livable Communities. The newly developed Danforth Livable Communities Center has been showcased in state-wide media as an example of what a small town with a big heart can do.

Krystle Currier - Machias Savings Bank

For the past ten years, Krystle has worked with Machias Savings Bank, where she currently oversees the Downeast Branches as Branch Manager and serves as the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer. Her professional background has provided a deep understanding of local financial needs, as well as fostered a commitment to economic growth in Downeast Maine communities. Community service is a true passion of Krystle’s. Over the years, she has had the privilege of serving on several boards, contributing her time and expertise to support local initiatives and help strengthen the region.

Alongside her board service, she is also passionate about supporting youth development in the community through volunteer work as a cheer coach. This role has given her the rewarding opportunity to mentor young athletes, foster teamwork, and help students build confidence both on and off the mat.

Krystle is a proud resident of Machiasport, Maine, originally hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Her family is her greatest joy—She is married and has three wonderful children.

Steve Lail - Downeast Community Hospital

Steve Lail is the the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Down East Community Hospital, based in Machias, Maine.

Susan Mingo - Washington County Community College

Over her almost twenty year career in higher education, Mingo has devoted herself to providing opportunities for degree attainment that advance the lives of individuals within Washington County and the State of Maine. Susan has served as the President of Washington County Community College since August 2018 and prior to that as the Dean of Students for seven years. Susan supports under-resourced students and works to improve opportunities at the College to close achievement gaps and improve retention and persistence rates for the students they serve. She is an advocate for decreasing barriers that impede student success, creating supports, and leveraging resources to assist students with navigating their external barriers.

Prior to working in higher education, she worked for twenty years in local businesses as well as two years in municipal government. She and her husband are owners and operators of two small businesses in the Calais area. Susan graduated from the University of Maine at Machias with a Bachelor in Science in Business Administration and from Husson University with a Master of Science in Human Relations.

April Norton - Wyman’s

April Norton is a VP of Human Resources with over 15 years of experience in the field of HR. She has worked for companies such as MBNA America Bank and Home Depot. In 2015, she began her career at Jasper Wyman & Son, (“Wyman’s”), a 150-year-old family-owned company headquartered in Milbridge, Maine. April began her career at Wyman’s as the Director of HR and today she sits on the company’s Leadership Team as the Vice President of HR overseeing the US and Canadian operations.

April holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies (Political Science) and a minor in American Studies from the University of Maine, graduating Cum Laude. She was an honored keynote speaker for her graduating class addressing issues of Food Politics and received the honor of Rising Scholar. Aligning with her beliefs to “always being a student”, she is never too proud to learn new things and believes the work in constantly developing herself, ensures a proactive approach to her role and responsibilities to the people and the company of Wyman’s. She strongly believes that engaged employees are the backbone of any successful organization and has made it her mission to ensure that employees feel valued, motivated, and connected to their work at Wyman’s.

April lives her life to the fullest, sharing her time with Wyman’s, her two sons, two dogs and the great outdoors. She is an avid reader, accomplished knitter, hiker, canoeist, and backpacker who grew up deep in the Maine woods enjoying all this beautiful state offers. April is a Registered Maine Guide and an active Board of Directors member for the Sunrise County Economic Council.

Dee Sabattus - United South and Eastern Tribes

Tihtiyas (Dee) Sabattus, of Princeton, is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine and received her degree in business management from Thomas College. Upon graduation, she moved to Nashville, Tenn., to work for the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), an inter-tribal organization that represents 27 federally recognized Tribal Nations along the eastern part of the United States. She has 17 years of experience in health care administration and analysis and has advocated for increased funding and health care for Tribal Nations. In 2008, 2012, and 2015 she was nominated and awarded the Indian Health Service Nashville Area Exceptional Performance Award for her dedication, commitment, and accomplishments that support American Indian Tribes. In 2016 she received a National Service Award from the National Indian Health Board for her work to advance the health care of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Sabattus currently serves as the director of the Passamaquoddy Health Center at Indian Township.

Joseph Socobasin - Vice Chief at Motahkomikuk

Bio coming soon

Tom Sorby

Tom Sorby is Operations Manager for Kingfish Maine. He’s raised multiple species of fish in several countries over the last 15 years, with a focus on development of new species. Tom also has an expertise in system design and operation, larval, rearing and survival, and maximizing feed regime efficiency.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Chemistry from Sparsholt College, Hampshire UK and Master of Science in Sustainable Aquaculture from Stirling College, Scotland.

James Stauffer - RH Foster

James Stauffer is the Branch Manager at R.H. Foster Energy, LLC, a family-owned Maine company providing reliable heating fuels, propane, and energy services to communities throughout Downeast Maine. He graduated from the University of Maine at Machias. Over his 12 years with the company, James has gained practical experience, through the experts in the field, in energy solutions, inventory management, and customer service, contributing to reliable fuel delivery and everyday support for homes and businesses across rural Downeast communities.

A resident of East Machias, Maine, James has lived in the greater Machias area for 23 years and is particularly focused on the importance of skilled trades in Washington County. He recognizes the vital role that tradespeople play in supporting the region’s energy sector, infrastructure needs, and overall economic stability, and he is committed to helping strengthen workforce opportunities and community resilience in these areas through his service on the Sunrise County Economic Council Board of Directors.

Megan Walsh - University of Maine at Machias

Megan Walsh is Dean and Campus Director of the University of Maine at Machias. She joins the University of Maine and UMaine Machias communities from St. Bonaventure University.

Walsh was a member of the St. Bonaventure community for more than a decade. In addition to holding the rank of professor of English, she served in several administrative roles, including as director of St. Bonaventure’s Honors Program.

In 2021–22, Walsh was acting dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. She helped obtain external funding to support computer science and cybersecurity technology upgrades, as well as a new technological literacy learning module.

As chair of the Department of English, Walsh led multiple curricular revisions, including the development of a new Literary Publishing and Editing B.A. Program.

Walsh is the author of The Portrait and the Book: Illustration and Literary Culture in Early America (University of Iowa Press, 2017) and numerous articles and reviews. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Temple University.

Ex-Officio

Renee Gray - Washington County Government

Renee Gray is a lifelong resident of Washington County, Maine. A graduate of Jonesport-Beals High School, Gray participated in many team sports and team building activities, which helped construct the foundation for her career paths.

Renee has had a 25 year career in Emergency Medical Services and continues to serve her communities in that capacity. In 2007, she began work in the Lubec Town Office, working her way up; and in 2017, becoming the Town Administrator and Town Clerk. Under Gray’s nearly seven year tenure, Lubec saw many successful projects, including the awarding of sidewalk grants, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, and the purchase of a new fire truck; all while balancing the budget with municipal needs.

Renee is proud of her deep family heritage and continues to raise her family in Washington County. In 2023, Renee was asked to serve as Washington County Manager. This new role has opened the door to many new experiences and opportunities, and she continues to lead with a team-oriented, successful management approach. Serving in the public sector has always been a point of pride, and Renee lives by the belief, “…to whom much is given, much is required.”

Representative Tiffany Strout - Washington County Legislative Delegation

Representative Tiffany Strout of Harrington is currently serving her first term in the Maine House representing District 11, which includes the towns of Addison, Beals, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Machias, Milbridge, Roque Bluffs, Whitneyville, Centerville Township, and part of North Washington. Tiffany currently serves on the 131st Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Marine and Natural Resources.

Rep. Strout earned her Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maine at Machias. Tiffany’s professional career includes working as an event coordinator for Wreaths Across America, Business Development Manager for Genotyping Center of America, and Project Manager for the Jackson Laboratory. She also serves her community as a member of the MSAD #37 School Board.

Tiffany, her husband Zac, and son Konner, enjoy spending family time outdoors.