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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AAI Founders

Ray Gauvin, director and founder of the organization, is a first generation college graduate, coming from an economically disadvantaged family. His father passed away when he was 14, and he always felt fortunate to receive the benefits of several local businessmen mentoring him. Additionally, he received assistance from members of the community to help him attend college.
A graduate of the University of Maine at Portland, Ray has owned franchises of Advantage Payroll Service in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. This business became the largest payroll processing firm, not only in Aroostook County, but in the State of Maine as well, having at one time a staff of 35 people. Payrolls were processed all over the New England area, even though the home office was located in Presque Isle, Maine. Gauvin understands first-hand the possibilities, challenges and benefits of creating and operating a business both in and from Aroostook County. He is also a Vietnam veteran, a renowned businessman (recently retired) and a well-respected philanthropist in Aroostook County.

Sandy Gauvin, President and co-founder, graduated from the University of Maine system and has a master's degree from the University of New England. She is a 25-year veteran of the education profession, teaching in both SAD #20 and SAD #1 as well as working with potential first generation college and economically disadvantaged students throughout her career. Sandy is also a fellow of the Maine National Writing Project. She has served in the non-profit sector for 15 years, serving on several local, regional and state non-profit boards, such as The Learning Disability Association of Maine, Homeless Services of Aroostook, the Northern Maine Community College Foundation Board and the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, among others.

Board of Directors

Sandy Gauvin

Co-Founder, President (Exec. Board)

Scott Smith

Vice President (Exec. Board)
Cavendish Farms

Ray Gauvin

Co-Founder, Treasurer (Exec. Board)

Christopher Rogeski

Secretary (Exec. Board)
Cary Medical Center

Jason Parent

Co-Founder
ACAP

Gregg Collins

SW Collins

Jennifer Deschane

University Credit Union

Lois Dickson

TEMPO

Larry Fox

Retired Educator

Kevin Frazier

University of Maine Foundation

Cory LaPlante

Northern Prosthetics &Orthotics

Michael Marquis

Thompson-Hamel

Ryan Rogers

Dead River

Haley Kelley

Country Farms Market

Honorary Board Members

Meg Baxter

CEO, Mitchell Institute

Steve Bowen

Chairman & CEO, Maine Pointe

John Fitzsimmons

Retired, Maine Community College System

Dana Connors

President, Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Norman Fournier

Retired Executive Director, Fish River Rural Health

Durward Huffman

Retired President, NMCC

Dr. James Page

Chancellor, University of Maine System

Laurie Lachance

President, Thomas College

Jim Patterson

Retired President, NMCC and MSSM

Larry Shaw

President and CEO, MMG Insurance

Michael Wood

Vice President, R.M. Davis

Don Zillman

Retired President, UMPI

Cathie Pelletier

Novelist