David Wedick Carol Liscoviz photo
AUGUSTA — The Maine Connectivity Authority, a quasi-governmental agency charged with achieving universal access of affordable high-speed broadband in the state, has officially named David Wedick its new chief financial officer. A highly skilled professional with nearly two decades of experience in diversified capital markets and economic development, Wedick will oversee the strategic and day-to-day aspects of the MCA’s financial management. He will step into the CFO role March 21, according to a news release from the agency.
Since 2015, Wedick served as CFO at Coastal Enterprises Inc., a leading Maine-based nonprofit organization focused on community development. Under his leadership, CEI achieved significant financial success and balance sheet strength in recent years, with total, net and unrestricted net assets all seeing robust growth.
In his new position at the MCA, Wedick will leverage his experience at CEI for the overall planning, direction and coordination of financial activities at the MCA. His nonprofit background also lends itself to making a positive contribution in communities across Maine, which he has called home for eleven years.
“I look forward to making a positive impact in urban, suburban and rural communities across Maine, a state in desperate need of universal broadband access,” said Wedick. “I have called Maine home for years, so I know that many Mainers are desperate for high-speed connectivity. Using my financial expertise, it will be an absolute honor and a privilege to serve our state and guide our people to a brighter, more connected future.”
“We couldn’t be happier to have David on board at the MCA,” said Andrew Butcher, the MCA’s president. “He brings decades of unique financial management experience to the table, and he will play a pivotal role in expanding universal broadband access in Maine. Together, with talented people like David, we can get there from here.”
Mainebiz travels to Damariscotta on March 23
PORTLAND — Mainebiz brings back its “On the Road with Mainebiz” reception series and travels to Damariscotta in its second stop of the year. Throughout 2022 Mainebiz will be celebrating with its readers, advertisers and partners as they make four stops throughout Maine during the On the Road reception series.
Mainebiz will host the greater Damariscotta business community from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the Damariscotta River Grill. The event will gather business executives from the area, along with Mainebiz staff members for an evening of networking. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This event is free to attend but space is limited so guests are required to register in advance at mainebiz.biz/OTRDS22.
The goal of these events is for all attendees, Mainebiz staff and the editorial team to learn more about the region and to help spotlight the city/town that is visited. These receptions are also hosted to create opportunities for business leaders to do business and provide a venue to meet and mingle with other members of the local business community.
The 2022 On the Road with Mainebiz in Damariscotta is sponsored by Eaton Peabody, First National Bank and Tidewater Telecom. Mainebiz has planned two additional “On the Road” events this year in Machias and Dover-Foxcroft. For more information, go to mainebiz.biz.
Steve Wallace Submitted photo
Maine State Credit Union names Stephen Wallace its new president, CEO
AUGUSTA — After a nationwide search, the board of directors of Maine State Credit Union voted unanimously to appoint Maine native and current Executive Vice President Stephen Wallace as its new president and chief executive officer. He will replace current President and CEO Tucker Cole, who is retiring on June 1, according to a news release from the credit union.
Wallace joined Maine State Credit Union in 2017 as vice president of lending. He was promoted to senior vice president of retail in 2020 and rose to executive vice president in 2021. Wallace started his financial service career at Fleet Bank and worked at Camden National Bank as head of retail banking, overseeing their branch network. Before joining Maine State Credit Union, Wallace worked as a consultant helping community banks and credit unions develop a customer-centric sales model.
“Steve exemplifies what Maine State Credit Union is,” said board of directors Chairperson George Lapointe. “He lives the credit union mission each day and encourages a culture of learning and development in serving our members. He has a great vision for the future of the credit union and understands the importance of providing digital banking tools and human interaction is the key to continued growth.”
Cole has devoted most of his career to the credit union movement. He began working in the industry at Evergreen Credit Union and joined Maine State Credit Union in 2016 as president and CEO. Cole also served a term as chairman of the Maine Credit Union League’s board of directors.
During his tenure at Maine State Credit Union, Cole has led the organization’s digital transformation, created a commercial business division and expanded its membership to include Cumberland, Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties.
“The employees at Maine State Credit Union are fortunate to have a great person and leader as their new president and CEO of Maine State Credit Union,” said Cole. “Stephen is someone who believes in the importance of great workplace culture. I know I am leaving the credit union in the best possible hands.”
Erin Guay Submitted photo
Erin Guay joins Hart Consulting
GARDINER — Hart Consulting Inc. has announced that Erin Guay has joined the firm as a senior evaluation consultant.
Guay has 20 years of experience in the public health field in a variety of capacities. Most recently she served as the executive director of Healthy Androscoggin, a community health coalition serving Androscoggin County, where she led a team of 14 staff to identify and address public health issues including tobacco and substance misuse, healthy eating, active living and childhood lead poisoning, as well as positively influencing root causes like housing, food insecurity, transportation and other social determinants of health, according to a news release from the firm.
In addition to Guay’s experience with community needs assessment, grant writing and project management, she brings research experience from a multi-year study of the effects of naturally occurring arsenic in household well water on the health of Maine children in conjunction with Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan, a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, and is a graduate of the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership’s Health Leadership Development Institute.
“We are delighted to have Erin join the firm, her skills and experience will greatly expand the services we can provide to our clients,” shared Patricia Hart, principal consultant.
For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.