FARMINGTON – The Western Mountains Alliance has announced the addition of two new members to its board of directors.

“The alliance is fortunate to be joined by Roger J. Poulin and Barry Martin, two community leaders whose expertise and commitment to western Maine’s future is respected throughout the region,” said Executive Director Tanya Swain.

The Western Mountains Alliance was founded in 1987 to promote prosperity in the four-county region by serving as an advocate for sustainable economic and community development practices and by building collaborations, leadership capacity and model programs.

Barry Martin joined Skowhegan Savings Bank in November of 2005 as vice president and director of human resources. Prior to assuming the role, Martin served as executive director for the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board at the Eastern Maine Development Corp. where he promoted enhanced coordination between workforce development and economic development systems in the region.

In addition, he had oversight responsibilities for Department of Labor Workforce Development programs in Hancock, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. He has also served as director of administration for the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Employment Services.

Martin is a graduate of the University of Maine, holding a bachelor or arts in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. He is a member of the Maine Jobs Council, the Central-Western Local Workforce Board, the Society of Human Resource Management and other organizations.

Roger J. Poulin owns the Towne Motel in Skowhegan and is an international economic consultant, working mainly in Africa and Asia. Prior to purchasing the motel in 1978, he was an economist with the U.S. Agency for International Development for 12 years. During that time he and his family lived in India, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.

Poulin received a bachelor of arts in economics from Assumption College and his MA in economics from American University. He has served on the boards of the Maine Tourism Commission, the Kennebec Valley Tourism Council, Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Kennebec Valley Mental Health Center and Skowhegan Economic Development Corp.

He is serving on the boards of Main Street Skowhegan, Somerset Woods trustees and Skowhegan Savings Bank. Poulin is active in economic development activities that build upon the rural culture and heritage of western Maine.

To learn about the activities and projects of the Western Mountains Alliance, visit www.westernmoutainsalliance.org or call Tanya Swain at 778-7274 or 778-3885.