About Us

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 (2007)

Quality Award from Federal Head Start PRISM Review (2006) – to recognize Penquis Head Start’s quality programming

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 for the Penquis Head Start/Child Care centers at Job Corps, Eastern Maine Community College and Venture Way in Bangor (2004)

Veazie Garden Club Community Improvement Award (2003)

Agency of Distinction award from WLBZ-TV (2002)

Housing Development Award from the Maine State Housing Authority (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
2007-2008

Anne Earle, Chair
William Collins, Vice Chair
Tom Lizotte, Secretary
Anne Beebe-Center
Betty Carolin
Don Carroll
Ursula "Charlie" Charlton
Dawn Cook
Tabitha Larrabee
Gerry Palmer, Jr.
Allen Sockabasin
W. Gregory Swett
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
2007-2008

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

Penobscot County Steering Committee
2007-2008

Peter Baldacci
Fred Brown
Don Carroll
William Collins
Dawn Cook
Anne Earle
Valerie Ketchem
Roger Lewis
Dalton Mullis
Micah Robbins
Allen Sockabasin
Stephen Stanley
W. Gregory Swett
Sandra Tardiff
Alvin Theriault
Crystal Treadwell
James Varner
Shirar Wilder

Piscataquis County Steering Committee
2007-2008

Betty Carolin
Cynthia Freeman-Cyr
Jane Jones
Richard Ladd
Leslie Lizotte
Tom Lizotte
Nancy Matulis
Leah Rideout
Geneva Wilbur