About Penquis

Incorporated in 1967, Penquis was created as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to bring locally developed solutions to the multifaceted problems faced by the poor. Its mission is to assist individuals and families in preventing, reducing, or eliminating poverty in their lives and, through partnerships, to engage the community in addressing economic and social needs. Penquis primarily serves low- and moderate-income individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox Counties, though several programs extend well beyond these boundaries.

Penquis programs have been recognized for their quality and innovation.  Awards include:

• United Way Community Builder Award (2008)
• United Way Community Builder Award (2007)
• Quality Award from Federal Head Start PRISM Review (2006)
• Quality Assurance Award from the Child Care Aware® program of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) (2006)
• WELCOA Bronze Well Workplace Award (2006)
• Watch Your Mouth campaign award (2006)
• Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (2004)
• Veazie Garden Club Community Improvement Award (2003)
• Agency of Distinction Award from WLBZ-tV (2002)
• Housing Development Award from MaineHousing (2002)
• Program of National Significance award from the Corporation for National Service (2001)
• Pioneer Award for Leadership in Entrepreneurial Promotion in Rural America from the National Association of Development Organizations (2001)
• Maine Roads to Quality Compass Award (2001)
• Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence (2000)
• Program of Excellence award from the Federal Regional Office of Head Start (2000)

The fifteen-member Board of Directors represents three distinct sectors of the communities we serve: one-third of the members represent low-income residents; one-third of the members are public officials or their representatives; and one-third of the members represent the private sector.

Governing Board of Directors
2008-2009

William Collins, Chair
Tom Lizotte, Vice Chair
W. Gregory Swett, Secretary

Anne Beebe-Center
Betty Carolin
Don Carroll
Ursula "Charlie" Charlton
Dawn Cook
Jeffers Ashley
Tabitha Larrabee
Gerry Palmer, Jr.
Allen Sockabasin
Geneva Wilbur
Erin Williams
Jack Williams

Penquis also has three County Steering Committees. One third of County Steering Committee members represent low-income residents of the counties; one-third of the members are public officials or their representatives; and one-third of the members represent the private sector.

Knox County Steering Committee
2008-2009

Anne Beebe-Center
Ursula "Charlie" Charlton
Andy Hart
Alan Hinsey
Mary Kendall
Sumner Kinney
Ed Mazurek
Erin Williams

Penobscot County Steering Committee
2008-2009

Jeffers Ashley
Fred Brown
Don Carroll
William Collins
Dawn Cook
Tabitha Larrabee
Roger Lewis
Dalton Mullis
Gerry Palmer, Jr.
Richard Reinhart
Donald Smotherman
Allen Sockabasin
Stephen Stanley
W. Gregory Swett
Tammy Smith
Sandra Tardiff
Alvin Theriault
Dan Tremble

Piscataquis County Steering Committee
2008-2009

Betty Carolin
Cynthia Freeman-Cyr
Jeffery Gahagan
Richard Ladd
Leslie Lizotte
Tom Lizotte
Russ Page
Lisa Snide
Geneva Wilbur