LEWISTON – Auburn resident Kathie Leonard was recently nominated chair of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council board of directors.

Leonard is co-founder, president and CEO of Auburn Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of specialty heat-resistant textile products primarily used in the petrochemical, refining, utilities, paper, steel, aluminum and glass industries. Leonard co-founded Auburn Manufacturing in 1979, and oversees two facilities in Auburn and Mechanic Falls with more than 50 employees.

Leonard also serves as chair of the National Insulation Association Foundation’s Marketing/Outreach Committee. She helped form the foundation in 1996 and served as co-chair for five years, helping set the organization’s agenda of education, training and advancement of the insulation industry. Leonard is also involved in a number of other industry associations.

In addition, Leonard sits on a number of local boards and community organizations, including the Thomas College Board of Trustees and the Sun Journal board of directors.

She served as chair of the Central Maine Healthcare board of directors from 2001 to 2003, was a director of Key Bank from 1988 to 2000, was a member of the Maine Healthcare Performance Council in 2001, and was a member of the Governor’s Business Advisory Council from 1987 to 1989. Leonard chaired the Maine Chamber’s Small Business Advocacy Committee from 1989 to 1991.

Leonard has earned a number of notable distinctions in her career, including being named the Small Business Association’s Small Business Person of the Year in 1991, as well as receiving the Governor’s Award for Excellence in 1991, and the National Insulation Association’s President’s Award in 2000. She was also a recipient of the 2002 Economic Achievement Award from the city of Auburn.