Charles (Wick) Johnson is a long-term resident of the Augusta area and an active member of the local business community. Prior to moving to the area and joining what is now Kennebec Technologies he taught 6th grade for 5 years and had a construction business. A Former Chair of the University of Maine System Board of Directors, he also served as President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, is a current Trustee of Thomas College, and served as the Chair of the Lithgow Library Capital Campaign. Wick graduated with a B.A. in History from Lafayette College.

Amanda Bartlett provides executive leadership and operations management for Developers Collaborative and DC Management. Amanda brings close to 20 years of experience in affordable housing, having worked at MaineHousing prior to serving as the executive director of Augusta Housing Authority for nearly a decade. There she discovered the transcendent power of affordable housing development as a catalyst for both individual lives and communities. Amanda values relationships at the core of her work, finding the greatest reward in the human impact of housing and feels called to initiatives that serve the most vulnerable, making a difference beyond one lifetime. Amanda has served on various boards, including the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, the national Public Housing Authority Directors’ Association legislative and policy committee, and locally as Chair of the Augusta Board of Education and Lithgow Library among others. She lives in the heart of Downtown Augusta and enjoys spending time with her two sons and horse, Duncan.

Kyra has over 25 years’ experience working within the affordable rental housing field. She has worked with rental voucher programs as well as with the financing, development, and management of multifamily affordable housing. She is driven by the desire to ensure everyone has a quality home. She has a passion for real estate, especially older buildings with lots of character. She received an undergraduate degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public policy and management, both from the University of Southern Maine.

Patsy Crockett has built an extensive and diverse career, starting her journey at John Hancock Financial Services as an Office Supervisor, where she dedicated 30 years of service. Patsy then transitioned to Howe & Company as a Lobbyist, where she honed her advocacy skills for a decade. Her passion for public service led her to serve two terms in the Maine State Legislature as a House of Representative in Augusta. Currently, Patsy holds the prestigious position of Chair at Kennebec County Commissioner, where she continues to make a significant impact on her community through her leadership and dedication to public service. Her journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving others and making a difference in the world around her.

Michael Frett is a long time Hallowell resident, originally hailing from New York City. His background is founded on over 20 years of practicing law, first as a prosecuting trial assistant, returning in later years to serve in various executive positions, within the Office of the District Attorney, Kings County, NY. Concurrently, he was an adjunct professor at St. John’s University, School of Law. Additionally, he served as an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, NYC, and as the Legal Director for the NYCTA’s Transit Adjudication Bureau. After retiring from the practice of law, Michael relocated to Maine in 2000 and took up the position as Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards, within Maine’s Department of Labor. Subsequently he began working in the housing market as an investor and house flipper for 10 years. Michael has served on the Hallowell City Council for over 8 years, and has worked collaboratively to address and manage complex city projects and initiatives related to housing, community involvement, maintenance, and more. During this time he has served on such committees as; Property and Public Lands (current chair), Finance, Transportation, Ordinance Rewrite, and Hallowell Age-Friendly. He brings to the table a wealth of knowledge related to municipal/city management, housing, as well as extensive education and training.

Nancy Fritz, an Augusta resident for 40 years, has an extensive background in working on issues related to poverty and lack of housing. For six years, she served as Director of Homeless Initiatives in the cabinet of former Gov. John Baldacci. She chaired the Statewide Homeless Council, directed the Homeless Department at MaineHousing and was a founding member of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, which formed in 2000. Other experience includes directing a community action agency for 10 years, a domestic violence program for 5 years, and a children’s center. She currently volunteers at a program of her local church which serves breakfast every Saturday to people who are unhoused and fragilely housed. Previous community service efforts have included serving on the board of the Maine Health Access Foundation, as a commissioner for the Augusta Housing Authority, chair of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and a board member of the Maine Association of Non-Profits.

Nicole Frydrych has been working as a Hub Coordinator since 2022. Her background is in Project Management, but her Homeless Services Experience comes from her role as the Community Coordinator at Cabin in the Woods with VOA Northern New England. This independent living, permanent supportive housing program allowed Nicole to connect with the once Homeless Veterans that reside at the Cabins, offer case management services, community connections, and become a resource broker for the Veterans. As the Hub Coordinator for Kennebec and Somerset Counties, Nicole has taken those skills and experiences, at the permanent housing level, and is now applying them to those who are actively experiencing homelessness. She has worked with local providers and governments across the Hub to create a Core Improvement Team. This team works collaboratively to assess current resources, identify gaps and barriers, implement the Coordinated Entry System, and persue data quality through the Built for Zero initiative to create a plan to solve homelessness for both Kennebec and Somerset Counties and statewide.

Justin Healey is founder and co-owner of Kennebec House; a Maine Association of Recovery Residences (MARR) certified, peer run recovery residence in Augusta, Maine. The program was established in December of 2022, and since has opened two successful residences, housing and supporting hundreds of individuals in recovery. Justin provides input and advice on the impact that addiction can have on the housed and unhoused community. Justin’s life experiences fuel his tireless work to create a world where individuals have access to safe and sober housing. In addition, Justin has made investments in apartment buildings in central Maine to assist in providing housing options for Augusta residents. As a property owner, he has learned valuable lessons on the struggles renters face, seeing first-hand the daily challenges many tenants and families encounter. He remains a passionate advocate for tenant’s rights. As an active member with the Augusta Task Force on Homelessness, Justin’s goal is to be a part of the solution to reduce and support those in recovery and those experiencing homelessness.

Matthew Kennedy is a dedicated individual with a strong background in military service and community corrections. Having served 5 years in the US Air Force with deployments to Baghdad, Umm Qasar, and Kapisa Province, Matthew gained valuable experience and an unwavering sense of duty. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Minor in Public Administration from the University of Maine, Augusta, and a Master of Criminology from Thomas College. Transitioning to civilian life, he dedicated himself to aiding vulnerable populations as an Adult Community Corrections Officer with the Maine Department of Corrections before taking on a pivotal role at the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. As a Veterans Service Officer for Homeless and incarcerated veterans, Matthew's passion for helping those in need shines through as he collaborates with the community to drive positive change and support individuals facing adversity.

Earl Kingsbury has dedicated the last 17 years of his professional life serving the City of Augusta, his beloved hometown. Starting at the Civic Center, Earl spent 13 years mastering the art of event management and public engagement. He cherished his role, organizing diverse programs and activities that united the community. This experience not only refined his organizational and interpersonal skills but also deepened his understanding of the community's multifaceted needs. Transitioning to Director of Community Service, Earl now supervises six bureaus, including Health and Welfare, focusing on enhancing citizens' well-being. For the past four years, he has spearheaded initiatives to uplift Augusta by prioritizing health, welfare, and community involvement. Earl's mission is to cultivate an inclusive environment where every resident is valued and supported, driven by his passion for empowering individuals and nurturing a strong sense of community belonging.

Steven McDermott is the Senior Loan and Community Partnership Officer of Genesis. His focus is on building and nurturing relationships with community partners to ensure that Genesis serves the communities effectively. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors in Maine, Steven brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his work. Prior to joining Genesis, he held positions such as Operations and Special Projects Administrator for the Governor’s Energy Office and Strategic Planning & Outreach Coordinator for MaineHousing. Steven has spearheaded various initiatives to address housing challenges in Maine, including the launch of the state's first recovery residence program and managing shelter programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also played a key role in developing supportive housing initiatives. Steven is dedicated to making a positive impact on his community and serves on the Board of Directors for New Beginnings. He graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Southern Maine and is a proud AmeriCorps VISTA alumni.

Senator Matt Pouliot is serving his third term in the Maine State Senate representing the people of Senate District 15. The newly reapportioned district includes the municipalities of Augusta, Belgrade, China, Oakland, Sidney, Vassalboro and Mount Vernon. Sen. Pouliot is currently the Senate Republican Lead for the Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Housing and the Joint Standing Committee on Housing and Labor. He previously served on the Taxation Committee and the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. Prior to his service in the Senate, Pouliot served the residents of District 86 in the Maine State House of Representatives for three terms. While in the House, he served on the Taxation Committee, Elections Committee, Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and the Apportionment Commission. An Augusta native, Sen. Pouliot graduated from Cony High School in 2005 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta in 2009. He is also a graduate of the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine and makes his living as a Realtor through his company, Pouliot Real Estate. Prior to joining the Legislature, Sen. Pouliot served as Vice Chairman of the Augusta Planning Board. He has also served on the board of directors for the Augusta Downtown Alliance where he was the chair of the Economic Restructuring Committee. He is currently a board member for the Augusta Housing Service Corporation and is a Corporator for Kennebec Savings Bank. Sen. Pouliot lives in Augusta with his wife, Heather, and their Goldendoodles Oliver and Cooper. When not working, he enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities, traveling and flying airplanes as a licensed pilot.

Jon Reynolds is a compassionate advocate with a deep commitment to social welfare. In long-term recovery and drawing from personal experience of homelessness, Jon brings a unique perspective to his current role at Mobilize Recovery, a small non-profit organization. Currently pursuing his undergraduate degree, Jon plans to further his education with a master's in social work, driven by a desire to make a lasting impact in his community. Known for his kindness and empathy, Jon channels his lived experiences into meaningful support for others, aiming to create positive change and advocate for those facing similar challenges.

Jennifer L. Riggs MSN, RN, FACHE is the Chief Nursing Officer for MaineGeneral Medical Center and the CEO for MaineGeneral Community Care. She oversees the organization’s 1,600 nursing team members, with responsibility for Nursing, Radiology, Cardiology, Emergency Services, Surgical Services, HomeCare & Hospice, and Behavioral Health Services. As a member of the health system executive team she has created a culture that supports empowering direct care staff as leaders and decision makers. Jennifer has been instrumental in partnering with local and state organizations to grow and expand nursing enrollment and increase the number of RN graduates in the State. She has given several keynote speeches and presentations at professional conferences and events and is involved in national and state leadership organizations. Jennifer is currently serving as the Board Chair for the University of Maine at Augusta Board of Visitors and also serves on the Board of Directors for Maine Dartmouth Family Practice Residency and the Board of Directors for Delta Ambulance.

Ehrin Simanski is co-owner and managing partner of Lisa’s Legit Burritos and has been for 9 years. Lisa’s Legit Burritos has two locations in Augusta and Gardiner. Before the burrito shops, Ehrin and her husband Jay owned an auto dealership in Vassalboro for 8 years. Her past experience includes restaurant, automobile financing, sales, management, and health insurance. Ehrin is involved heavily with her community and loves being involved. She serves as Secretary of the Augusta Downtown Alliance and has been on the board for 8 years. She is also coming up on her third year with the Board of Gardiner Main Street and in her second year of being President. Ehrin was involved with the Augusta Teen Center for 2 years as a committee member and was an Olympia Snowe Leadership Advisor for the Olympia Snowe Leadership Program, mentoring 5 Cony students from 2021 to their graduation in 2024. Ehrin grew up in Windsor, CT and moved to Maine in 2003. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1989, went to Central Connecticut State University and later on received her Bachelors Degree in Business with a concentration in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Ehrin has lived in Gardiner since 2005 with her husband of 24 years, their 2 dogs, and kitty.