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:
● Quality Award from Federal Head Start PRISM Review (2009) – to recognize
Penquis Head Start’s quality programming
● Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young
Children for the Penquis Head Start/Child Care Centers at Eastern Maine
Community College and Exeter (2009)
● United Way Community Builder Award (2008)
● Top three Best of the Best award in the preschool category, Penquis Head
Start Center in Rockland, from Village Net Media (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. Listed below is the name and town of residence of each member.
Governing Board of Directors 2011-2012
Tom Lizotte, Chair - Dover-Foxcroft
W. Gregory Swett, Vice Chair - Bangor
Jeffers Ashley - Secretary, Bangor
Peter Baldacci - Bangor
Fred Brown - Bangor
Betty Carolin - Dover-Foxcroft
Trease Hodge - Brewer
Erin Hustus - Rockland
Sumner Kinney – Thomaston
Geneva Libby- Parkman
Ann Matlack - Spruce Head
Stephen Stanley - Medway
Dan Tremble - Bangor
Michelle Webb - Brewer
Jack Williams – Camden
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 2011-2012
Wendelanne Augunas
Erin Hustus - Rockland
Mary Kendall - Camden
Sumner Kinney - Thomaston
Ann Matlack - Sprucehead
Ed Mazurek - Rockland
Connie Putnam - Rockport
Chris Rector - Thomaston
Chris Shrum - Rockport
Jack Williams – Camden
Penobscot County Steering Committee 2011-2012
Jeffers Ashley - Bangor
Peter Baldacci - Bangor
Fred Brown - Bangor
Don Carroll - Steston
William Collins – Orrington
Sarah Dubay - Bangor
Janna Jensen – Brewer
Susan Phillips-Workman - Seboeis Plt.
Susan Romero - Bangor
Annette Ross - Lincoln
Donald Smotherman - Bangor
Stephen Stanley - Medway
W. Gregory Swett - Bangor
Diane Tennies - Bangor
Alvin Theriault - Stacyville
Dan Tremble - Bangor
Trease Hodge - Brewer
Michelle Webb - Dexter
Piscataquis County Steering Committee 2011-2012
Julie Anderson - Monson
Betty Carolin - Dover-Foxcroft
Dennis Green - Brownville
Becky Holt - Sangerville
Leslie Lizotte - Dover-Foxcroft
Tom Lizotte - Dover-Foxcroft
Shani Richards - Monson
Lisa Snide - Orneville
