AUBURN — Good Shepherd Food-Bank officials announced Monday that Jim Dowe, former president and CEO of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network and a former bank president, will take over as interim president and CEO of the food bank and will lead the search for a permanent executive.

Dowe, who a former president of Bangor Savings Bank, will serve as interim president and CEO of Good Shepherd Food-Bank through August 2012. The food bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine, working with more than 600 partner agencies across the state to distribute food to those in need.

During his tenure at the food bank, Dowe will assist the Board of Directors and senior leadership with the search for a permanent president and CEO.

“We are thrilled to have Jim Dowe on board as Good Shepherd Food-Bank’s leader for the next several months,” says David Pierson, chair of the food bank’s board of directors.

Dowe began his tenure as president of MPBN in April of 2006 after serving as a trustee on MPBN’s board for many years. He also served as president, CEO and trustee for 10 years at Bangor Savings Bank and held the position of president and CEO at Bath Savings Institution for nine years.

Dowe has served as chairman of the Maine Association of Community Banks and as a director of America’s Community Bankers. Active in community affairs, he serves as director for Action Committee of 50, and is a trustee of The Nature Conservancy and is a member of the Creative Economy Council. He has also served as a trustee of the University of Maine System.

Mainebiz recognized Dowe as the 2003 Business Leader of the Year. He graduated from Leavitt Institute, attended the University of Vermont and earned a BA degree from the University of Maine in 1972.

In September Dowe will travel to Kenya to work as the volunteer Interim Enterprise Development Manager for The Nature Conservancy (Africa Region) and the Northern Rangelands Trust to enhance revenue in pastoral communities from conservation friendly enterprises.