CASCO BAY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board Officers Team
- President
Job Titles:
- Director
- Professor of Environmental Law at University of Maine School of Law
Anthony is a tenured professor of environmental law at University of Maine School of Law. Prior to academia, he was an Attorney-Advisor in the General Counsel's Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As someone who regularly sails, fishes, surfs, and swims in Casco Bay, Anthony is personally invested in Friends of Casco Bay's mission to protect the health of our coastal waters.
We are excited to announce that we are relaunching our Pumpout Program. After a 2-year hiatus, our pumpout vessel, Headmaster, is back in the water and is being captained by our newest staff member, Pumpout Coordinator Chris Gilday.
Chris brings a lifetime of experience on the water as a sailor and commercial fisherman to the position of Pumpout Coordinator. Most of Chris' time is spent helping to keep Casco Bay clean as he captains our pumpout boat, Headmaster, removing sewage from other vessels on Casco Bay.
Contact Chris if you have questions about our Pumpout Program. For pumpout service, please register your boat first: cascobay.org/pumpout/
Job Titles:
- Director
- Research Scientist
Dr. Mark Green of Peaks Island is a teacher, research scientist, and oyster farmer. As a professor of natural sciences at St. Joseph's College, he identified a previously unknown cause of clam mortality in Casco Bay: ocean acidification. He discovered that the shells of juvenile clams become pitted or even dissolve as a result of increasing carbon dioxide, which makes seawater more acidic. His work has led to greater understanding of the seriousness of this other consequence of climate change. Says Dr. Green, "There is no easy, feel-good solution to ocean acidification. The only mitigation is lowering our carbon footprint."
Fiona's experience spans for-profit, non-profit, academic, and government sectors. She is the Director of the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of UNH's Changemaker Collaborative. As a faculty member at UNH's Paul College of Business & Economics, she focused on teaching innovative business approaches to tackle sustainability challenges. She has served on the board of Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment and recently joined the Board of Directors of Revision Energy. Her passion for protecting the Bay's environmental health stems from years of paddling, sailing, and swimming in Casco Bay from her home in Freeport, and cruising the English Channel and the tidal estuaries of her childhood along England's eastern coast.
Job Titles:
- Advocacy Associate
- Science and Advocacy
As Science and Advocacy Associate, Heather works closely with Staff Scientist Mike Doan to collect data on the health of the Bay and with Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca in putting those data to good use in our advocacy. Heather has a background in marine science, having spent many hours under the surface of the ocean as a scientific scuba diver collecting data on coral reefs. She is a graduate of University of Maine School of Law, where she concentrated on environmental law with a focus on marine environments. While in law school, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal and interned with Friends of Casco Bay, Maine Conservation Voters, Democracy Maine, and Maine's Department of Marine Resources. Heather is committed to our mission because she sees improving and protecting the health of the Bay as imperative to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
As Casco Baykeeper, Ivy is the chief advocate for Casco Bay. In speaking passionately on behalf of the Bay, she is able to draw on her experiences, including as an environmental educator, an advocate for Vermont's public lands and Lake Champlain, and most recently, as a Senior Attorney with Conservation Law Foundation. Her previous work on oceans, clean water, and clean air issues throughout New England provides her with in-depth knowledge of the issues she continues to confront, including ocean acidification, excess nitrogen, and reducing wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff.
Ivy is the person to reach out to if you have general questions about the Bay, you see something on or around the Bay that concerns you, or if you have questions about our Baykeeping efforts.
To reach Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca, call: (207) 831-3067 or email: ifrignoca@cascobay.org.
Janna is an in-house lawyer at Unum, where she serves as Assistant Vice President and Lead Regulatory Counsel. Pro bono and volunteer work has been a constant throughout her career. Janna's Maine roots run deep, as she was born Down East in Washington County and raised in Western Maine where her parents had an organic sheep and vegetable farm. She, her husband, and two girls love hiking trails in the watershed and paddleboarding in Casco Bay.
Jeff came to Friends of Casco Bay in 2007 with over 10 years of administrative and development experience with Maine nonprofits. Jeff keeps the day-to-day operations of our office flowing smoothly and efficiently, handling everything from email inquiries from people in our community, to bookkeeping, computer operations, meeting preparation, and insurance details.
Jeff is the person to reach out to if you have questions about the day-to-day operations of Friends of Casco Bay.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board Officers Team
- Vice President
- Supply Chain Executive at L.L.Bean
Kirsten is a supply chain executive at L.L.Bean with years of experience in managing large teams, leading strategic cross-functional projects, and delivering results. L.L.Bean's mission to inspire and enable others to enjoy the restorative power of the outdoors is one that Kirsten lives in her daily life. She spends much of the summer out on Casco Bay with friends and family exploring the islands, beaches, and Portland's waterfront. Kirsten's son was a student and commercial lobsterman for eight years, so she also has a deep appreciation for Casco Bay's commercial uses and the thousands of Mainers' livelihoods it supports.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board Officers Team
- Treasurer
- President of Poole Group of Companies
Malcolm is President of Poole Group of Companies, a family based holding Company of Commercial Real Estate, Marine Construction and Stormwater environmental controls. In addition Malcolm offers business Coaching and Consulting services for family, non-profit and closely held corporations. Malcolm is a life long sailor, user of Casco Bay and supporter of community based approaches to change. He served as President of the Board of Friends of Casco Bay from 2008 to 2015.
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
- Friends of Casco Bay 's Communications Coordinator. Credit: Jackie Stratton
Meghan comes to the Friends of Casco Bay as an experienced writer, journalist, documentarian, and oral historian. Most recently, she taught creative writing with the Telling Room, an organization that empowers youth through writing and sharing their voices with the world.
"I wanted to lend my storytelling and writing skills to a Maine-based environmental organization," Meghan says, "and what could be better than one focused on the waters of Casco Bay." In her freelance journalism work, she has focused on sustainability and the environment, while her pet project at the Telling Room was a series of climate stories workshops in collaboration with Maine Climate Action Now. "I've been a nature girl since my summer camp days on the shores of Lake Huron-catching water striders in the creek, paddling Michigan's meandering rivers, exploring caves on the shores of the Georgian Bay. I'm thrilled to now be writing and working on behalf of the waterways of Casco Bay."
Executive Director Will Everitt shares, "We look forward to all of our Friends meeting Meghan at our events this year. She'll probably be the one behind the camera and carrying a microphone to interview you. She brings a documentary storytelling approach to our work along with strong writing skills."
Meghan is the author of Guts, Feathers, and All: Stories of Hard Work and Good Times on Swan's Island, Maine, which was written for the Swan's Island Historical Society and published by Island Institute. Meghan holds an MFA in creative writing from the Stonecoast program at the University of Southern Maine, and is also a graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.
With a background in writing, documentary, and journalism, Meghan approaches her communications work with an eye for stories. She is interested in telling environmental stories that invite a diversity of folks to be part of the solution. As a freelance journalist, she focused on sustainability and the environment, while her pet project at The Telling Room was teaching a series of climate writing workshops in collaboration with Maine Climate Action Now. During her fellowship with Island Institute, she documented island culture and history for two years and authored the nonfiction book Guts, Feathers, and All: Stories of Hard Work and Good Times on Swan's Island, Maine. Meghan holds an MFA in creative writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine and is also a graduate of the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.
Meghan is our media contact and the person to reach out to if you have story ideas. To reach Meghan, email: meghan@cascobay.org.
Staff Scientist Mike Doan (left photo) and Science and Advocacy Associate Heather Kenyon (right photo) are working with colleagues up and down Maine's coast to improve our collective knowledge of how acidification and climate change may be affecting our waters.
Mike leads our science and research efforts. Mike first joined Friends of Casco Bay in 1995 as an intern and water quality volunteer. He was hired as Research Associate in 1998. He is busy with everything from scientific program planning and equipment calibration to working with volunteers, interns, staff, and other scientists to assess the environmental health of Casco Bay. Mike coordinates many research initiatives involving dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, nutrients, water currents, sediment toxics, and acidification. He is our data analyst, geographic information system (GIS) specialist, and captains our Baykeeper vessel.
Mike is the person to reach out to if you would like to learn more about our science and monitoring efforts or if you would like access to one of our data sets.
Job Titles:
- Director of Programs at Gateway Community Services
As Director of Programs at Gateway Community Services, Nathan Davis works with immigrant and refugee communities in Portland and Lewiston. He brings experience in growth strategy consulting, relationship development, project management and community projects. Nathan has also spent a portion of his professional life abroad in China, developing his cross-cultural relationship skills and building proficiency in Mandarin. Nathan grew up in Portland and has fond memories of kayaking on the water with Outward Bound.
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- Member of the Board Officers Team
- Environmental Scientist
Pat Ianni is an environmental scientist and attorney with over 30 years' experience assessing the risks posed by hazardous wastes and toxic materials. She has been employed as an Environmental Risk Officer for TD Bank since 2002. A Master Gardener, Pat regularly teaches community workshops on BayScaping, lawn care without using pesticides and fertilizers.
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Community Organizer and Volunteer Coordinator
Sara is the person to reach out to if you have questions about Water Reporter, volunteering, our events, or getting organized to improve the health of the Bay. Please join us in giving Sara a warm welcome to the Friends of Casco Bay community!
Sara's passion for Casco Bay and its communities is lifelong. Growing up on the Maine Coast inspired her to earn a bachelor's degree in marine science, followed by a law degree focused on environmental and ocean law. As our Community Organizer and Volunteer Coordinator, Sara leads our Water Reporter program and organizes Friends of the Bay to support our stewardship efforts and environmental policies.
Sara is the person to reach out to if you have questions about Water Reporter, volunteering, our events, or getting organized to improve the health of the Bay.
Sarah loves building and maintaining relationships for Friends of Casco Bay. As Development Director, her core work of strengthening our financial support and growing our membership base comes naturally from her easy way with people, development experience, and deep knowledge of our work. Sarah first joined Friends of Casco Bay in 2011 as a part of our fundraising staff. Most recently, she served as our Community Engagement Coordinator. Sarah fell in love with Maine's coast while studying marine biology and psychobiology at the University of New England. She strongly believes advocating for science-driven, community-informed decisions creates the best outcomes. Sarah continues to be excited that our interdisciplinary approach at Friends aligns with her education and values.
If you have questions about making a donation to Friends of Casco Bay, or ideas for supporting our journey toward improving and protecting the Bay's health, Sarah would love to speak with you. To reach Sarah, call: (207) 370-7553 or email: slyman@cascobay.org.
Stephen Bushey is a licensed civil engineer with 30 years' experience in stormwater management and local, state, and federal permitting. A Senior Associate with Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, Steve has been involved in many projects designed to improve and protect water quality throughout the Casco Bay watershed. Steve has worked on planning and design assignments for private landowners, municipalities, hospitals, wind farms, schools, offices, and large residential communities.
Susan utilizes her strong organizational skills to maintain meticulous records and track member support. She has over 10 years of experience working in development and administration with Maine nonprofits. Susan was drawn to Friends of Casco Bay because of our work to protect the health of the coastal waters that she calls home.
Susan is the person to reach out to if you would like to update your contact information.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director, Friends
Will Everitt has been hired as our next Executive Director at Friends of Casco Bay. Will is a familiar face, as he has served as our Communications and Development Director for the past 15 years and Interim Director since September 2021. With his strong background in environmental community organizing, communications, fundraising, and so much more, our Board of Directors voted unanimously to make him Executive Director.
"Casco Bay inspires me. I am honored to be named Executive Director of Friends of Casco Bay," says Will. "Over the years, we have been able to accomplish so much for the health of the Bay, knowing that the best solutions for clean water are also solutions for the health of our economy. A healthy Bay benefits everyone who lives and works here. In a time of political division, I am proud to say that our organization includes people of many backgrounds brought together by our collective passion for clean water and this amazing Bay."
Will stands at the helm of our organization, ensuring that Friends of Casco Bay remains resilient, effective, and mission-driven. Will joined Friends of Casco Bay as our Development Director in 2006 because his values aligned with our community-based approach to environmental stewardship. Prior to working with us, Will worked as an environmental community organizer, helping neighborhood groups and families across New England protect themselves from pollution, sludge spreading, and toxic pesticide spraying. He also worked across the country on environmental and political campaigns in New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, and Alaska. Will was hired as our Executive Director in 2022.
Will is the person to reach out to if you have a question about our mission, our overall approach to protecting Casco Bay, or our finances. He loves hearing your thoughts and suggestions about our work.