President – Laurieann Milligan of Northern Oxford Regional Ambulance Service DBA/Med-Care Ambulance

Laurieann Milligan has been employed at Med-Care since 2001 where she is currently the Administrative Assistant and the Community Outreach Coordinator. Laurieann, her husband Dean, and their four children moved to the River Valley area in 2001 and currently reside in Peru. Laurieann believes in giving back to the communities that she is involved in throughout the River Valley. She is currently a selectmen for the town of Peru. She has made it her commitment to address injury prevention for all ages by becoming a state of Maine Chapter Leader for Risk Watch Safe Communities which provides injury prevention programs within the schools and public forums. She has also become the Western Maine Affiliate leader for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association which also delivers public education and literature on Awareness and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. She also was the lead official to bring the state of Maine Heartsafe Community Status to the River Valley Region spearhead.

1st Vice President – Brian Arsenault of Community Energy

Brian Arsenault graduated from Mountain Valley High School in 1998. He attended Burke Mountain Academy as a post grad and then graduated from the University of Southern Maine in Portland with a degree in Business Administration.

He is employed at Community Energy Co. and is married to Jessica Arsenault.

Brian is an avid skier and enjoys being in the outdoors and volunteering with the Chisholm Ski Club and Black Mountain of Maine.

He is a member of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and has been on the Board of Directors since 2008. Brian strongly believes in both Rumford and the potential the river valley holds. The possibilities for the active imagination are endless.

2nd Vice President – Janet Brennick

I am the Branch Assistant at the Rumford Branch of Bangor Savings Bank and have been with the Bank since 2002. My husband, Mike and I both grew up in the River Valley. We have two children, both graduates of Mountain Valley High School. My oldest son, Chris is a graduate from the University of Maine at Farmington and youngest, Keith is currently a junior at University of Maine at Orono.

I have always been actively involved with youth sports while raising my two children. The Area Youth Football is a program that as a tag team my husband and I were fortunate enough to manage for 2 years. We started and facilitated a 6th – 8th grade co-ed basketball program at the Mexico Recreation Center for 3 years, allowing kids that may not make the school teams to remain active in the sport. Even after our kids had grown, we remain active in the Western Maine Youth Basketball League, where Mike coached a 5th and 6th grade boy’s team until 2009, and I currently remain the Treasurer. These are just a few of the activities that we (Mike and I) have been involved in over the years that I will always look back on and cherish.

I joined the Chamber because I believe it is important to stay involved and contribute to the community that I live in and love. I love the River Valley area and all that it has to offer. I look forward to serving with a board that is so passionate about the towns that I grew up in.

Treasurer – Catherine Johnson of Hope Association

AssociationCatherine Johnson – Hope Association since 1994, Financial Manager and Residential Director; Catherine moved to the River Valley area in 1996, she has 2 Children; one attends Orono and the other is an MVHS Junior. Catherine spent summers in Weld where her mom and dad still reside. She is attracted to the small town where everyone knows one another. Catherine enjoys the convenience of the downtown area where you can walk to many shops and eateries. There are many opportunities to join clubs and associations to assist the community in a variety of ways.

Past President – Cheryl Dickson of Erik Designs

Erik Designs, LLC joined the Chamber in 1992 and I became a Director at the same time. I was nominated and elected treasurer my first year. In 1994 I became president after the president elect declined the position. I held this position from 1994-1999. I became president again in 2001 and held that position through 2003. In 2005, I retired from the board. In 2006, I was appointed a director to fill a vacant seat on the board and then was elected President and held that position through 2007. In January of 2009 I was appointed President to fill the term as the prior president retired due to medical reasons.

I truly believe in the Chamber and what it stands for. I have a passion for seeing the Chamber grow in membership and credibility and have maintained directorship for that reason. I’ve got many volunteer hours invested in the Chamber and feel that with the team that I have been working with over the last 16 years, that I have made a difference.

Director – Jennifer Wariner of Community Concepts

Jennifer Warriner: Marketing and grant writing manager at Community Concepts. I have been in this position for 2 years, but have been in the non-profit sector for 12 years. Many board members are from small for-profit businesses. It is important to have a representative from the nonprofit community. 28% of Maine jobs are with non-profits. 12% of Maine’s gross State product is from Non-profit organizations, so it important to have a presence in the business community. I grew up in Rumford, so the River Valley holds a place near and dear to my heart.

Director – Jennifer Kreckel of Kaynor & Kreckel

Jennifer Kreckel came to Rumford 16 years ago with her husband, Dieter Kreckel, a family physician with Swift River Health Care, and two children, Deirdre and Brendan. My children both graduated from Mountain Valley High. Deirdre is currently in the Air Force training to be a crypto-linguist. Brendan is attending Norwich University.

Jennifer graduated from Temple University with a B.A. magna cum laude and from Syracuse University with a J.D. cum laude. Dieter and Jennifer have lived in Germany, Pennsylvania and Maryland, but chose Rumford, Maine as their home.

Jennifer has been practicing law in the River Valley for almost 16 years and has been in partnership with Peter J. Kayor in the firm Kaynor & Kreckel, P.A. on Congress Street in Rumford for the past nine years. They handle estate planning, probate, corporate, civil, real estate, personal injury, social security law and family law.

Director – Jim Brown of Western Maine Insurance

Jim Brown is a native of the River Valley. With over 30 years experience in the Insurance Industry, he is a Partner in United Insurance and Agency Manager of Western Maine Insurance for the past 12 years. He moved back to this area after living in Southern Maine, to take advantage of everything the area has to offer. He sees the Chamber Board as a way to give back to the community that supports his business.

Director – Philip Mills of Rumford Group Homes

Philip returned to the State of Maine in 1989 after working thirteen years for a national computer company as an organizational change consultant. He spent the last twenty years working in the non-profit sector here in beautiful Western Maine. He worked several years as the Coordinator for the Northern Oxford County Council On Transition working with individuals, schools and families to develop a structure to serve the needs of youth with disabilities. Next he worked for Western Maine Transportation Services as the Deputy Manager providing public transportation to the Tri-County Area. Currently Phil is working for Rumford Group Homes, Inc. as the Director of Operations, meeting the needs of children, youth and families throughout the tri-county area. Phil truly enjoys the four seasons of Western Maine and all they have to offer for recreation and beauty!

Director – Sherry Milligan owner of Davis Florist and partner of Carrabassett Spring Water Inc.

Sherry was born and raised in Rumford. She lives here with her daughter Erin, a Mountain Valley High School Sophomore. Sherry and her twin sister Shelly have owned and operated Davis Florist Inc. in Rumford since 1990. She also manages Carrabassett Spring Water Inc. in Peru.

Sherry loves this community. She remains grateful for the support she received with the illness of her late husband, Michael Milligan and appreciative of all the wonderful people who live in the area. It is very important to Sherry to keep the River Valley area a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Director – Barbara Belanger, representing Rumford Hospital

Barbara Belanger is a native to the Rumford area and is married with 2 grown children and 1 granddaughter.

She has been a member of the Rumford Hospital Board for 13 years, the Rumford Community Home Board for 11 years, the Development Committee for the Rumford Hospital for 10 years, a Rotary member for 5 years, and is currently the President of the Rumford Hospital Auxiliary.

Barbara loves Maine because of its four seasons and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. She has always felt Rumford is a safe and friendly community and is a great place to raise children. She treasures the people and the experiences a small town atmosphere provide.

Director – Anthony DeIulio

I am originally from the Bethel area where I previously worked in Vacation Rentals / Property Management and Real Estate Sales. I contributed my time to community events and fund raisers, bringing the citizens together and attracting more visitors; which I have enjoyed greatly. I recently moved to the town of Peru with my fiancé Amanda Driscoll and I am currently working with Riverside Realty as a Sales Agent full time. I really enjoy the area and everything that it has to Offer. The River Valley has a great selection of outdoor Maine activities and is in close proximity to all your shopping needs. We have chosen this area to settle and grow our family. I feel there is great potential for the area to grow and many reasons for people to both visit and live in the River Valley area. I am looking forward to many years of being a part of the community, assisting in events and being a voice within the area.

Director – Kathy Hutchins of the Town of Canton

My family moved back to Maine in 1968 after many years of my dad’s service to the Navy. I graduated from Dirigo High School and Plus-Gray School of Business. I was married in 1970 and moved to Hartford, Maine; living there for 25 years and working in the Hartford Town Office for 20. I became a widow in 1996, causing me to become very involved with the Relay For Life Event. I now live in Canton, have two wonderful children and 4 beautiful grandchildren.

In 2001, I became the Administrative Assistant for Canton, leading me to become more involved with other town programs. I also serve as the Chairman of the Canton Planning Board. The town has been a member of the Chamber for quite some time and I decided to become a director in 2009. As community members we should reach out and become involved in our communities. My involvement with the Chamber is to bring awareness of what Canton and all River Valley towns have to offer.

Director – Debi Hutchins of the Canton Water District

Debi Hutchins moved to Canton in 2001 with her husband Don and son DJ. They have since added a daughter, Jordan, to the family. Debi served six years in the United States Navy. She was stationed at NATTC Memphis, TN and at AIMD 900, NAS Willow Grove, PA. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, the family moved to Debi’s hometown of Glendale Heights, Illinois where she returned to Central DuPage Hospital as an Administrative Assistant in the Facility Services Department. They moved to Maine in 2001 and settled in Canton, building a house in 2003. Debi has worked for the Canton Water District since 2002 in the office and later as a licensed treatment plant operator. She has been the Superintendent since 2006.

Hutchins Custom Woodworking, owned jointly by Don and Debi, joined the Chamber in 2009 and shortly thereafter, Debi became a Chamber Director. She and her family are actively involved with River Valley Relay for Life and other volunteer activities.

Director- Leanne Gagne of Franklin Savings Bank

After growing up in the Greater Portland area, my husband Greg and I moved to Dixfield in 1988. I have worked for Franklin Savings Bank for the past 22 years, the last 10+ as a loan officer. I can honestly say I love my job, the people I work with and the area I live in. We have had several employment opportunities out of this area and have chosen to stay. We value the way of life here – the small town atmosphere, family oriented activities and the strong civic and school pride evident in many local events. We have raised two children here, both of them graduating from Dirigo High School. My son Marc is currently a middle school teacher and coach in Goffstown, NH. My daughter Katherine is going into her senior year at UMF, also majoring in education.

I joined the Chamber to help promote local business and share with others the many opportunities and value the River Valley has to offer. This is a special place and I want everyone to know it!