LEWISTON – The American Heart Association announces that Steven Closson has accepted the role of 2004 Central Maine Heart Walk chairman. Closson is president and chief executive officer of Androscoggin Bank, headquartered in Lewiston, with 12 branch locations serving communities throughout central and mid-coast Maine.

The walk will be held on Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Montello School. Area businesses, nonprofit and religious organizations, educational institutions and individuals throughout Central Maine can register now by calling the local American Heart Association at 1-800-937-0944 or by registering on-line at www.heartwalk.kintera.org/centralmaine.

Last fall the walk raised more than $76,000 to fund the American Heart Association’s research and community education programs, a 60 percent increase over the amount raised in the 2002 Heart Walk. This year’s goal is set at $85,000.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Closson graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in history. Since then he has attended numerous educational and professional programs, including the Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma.

He began his career in banking as a management trainee for Indian Head Banks Inc. in Nashua, N.H. He spent 15 months in that capacity before he began progressing through the organization. He was a vice president when he left to join Androscoggin Bank in July of 1987.

As senior vice president and treasurer he was responsible for all financial and retail operations, including the branch network. He was named executive vice president and was promoted to president, chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors in 1991.

Closson has been involved in many civic and nonprofit organizations. He serves on the board of visitors for the University of Southern Maine, is a trustee of Central Maine Medical Center, a director of St. Dominic Regional High School, the Maine Association of Community Banks executive committee, Androscoggin County Fund adviser and a director of the MainStreet Foundation, a private charitable fund established in 1998 by Androscoggin Bank.

Closson enjoys golfing, boating and household projects. He and his wife, Marilyn, are the parents of three children, Sara, Andrew and Matthew. The Closson family lives in Poland Spring.