MAINE VIRTUAL ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Academic Administrator
- Leader in Maine Catholic
Donald Fournier is a graduate of the University of Maine where he received his master's degree in elementary education. He received his bachelor's degree in secondary education, graduating cum laude, and his associate's degree in instructional media from the University of Maine at Farmington.
Born and raised in Maine, Mr. Fournier has been a leader in Maine Catholic education for the past 25 years, serving as both a teaching principal and as a president/principal. He received a National Catholic Education Innovator Award in 2018 for his work on a rural school initiative focused on blended learning and has been a proponent of online learning throughout his career.
Mr. Fournier is excited to be a part of Maine Virtual Academy and primarily works with teachers and students to assist them in continuing the excellence in learning that is the foundation of the school.
Job Titles:
- President, Maine Learning Innovations
Donna grew up in northern Maine in a bilingual French community. She graduated with a BS from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master's degree from the University of Maine Orono. She completed post graduate work at the University of Southern Maine. Donna worked as a speech/language pathologist for 21 years, director of special education for 13 years, and is a retired assistant superintendent in a public school system. She served as a member of multiple Department of Education committees, the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened, was president of the Augusta Administrators Association, vice president of MADSEC, and is the secretary for the Kennebec Valley Superintendents' Association. Her work has included presentations on Restraint & Seclusion, ADA 504 implications, staff conduct, response to intervention, truancy and drop out, special education regulations, and proficiency-based education.
In her free time, Donna can be found biking, camping, playing tennis in the summertime, and skiing during the snow season.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Head of School
Dr. Melinda E. Browne is thrilled to serve as Head of School of Maine Virtual Academy (MEVA). She is thankful to the Governing Board for entrusting the leadership of MEVA's wonderful learning community to her.
Dr. Browne believes that Maine Virtual Academy is truly providing a state-of-the-art educational experience for its students. She is greatly impressed with the dedicated and talented faculty who work hard to accomplish the school's mission and is honored to lead a dynamic team of educational pioneers.
Dr. Browne graduated summa cum laude in physics from the University of Bridgeport. She holds a Master of Science in Education from Saint Joseph's College of Maine, and a Doctorate in Mathematics Education from the University of Exeter. Dr. Browne is an experienced Head of School who wholeheartedly embraces the challenges and opportunities of serving a diverse student body from MEVA's statewide catchment area.
Dr. Browne enjoys speaking with MEVA students and their families. She encourages them to reach out to her via phone or email.
Dr. Browne holds Maine Administrator Certifications, 010 Superintendent, and 030 Special Education Director.
Jim Chiavacci served as the Director of the M.Ed. in Instructional Technology program at the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development where he designed and taught many of the courses in the IT program. He also worked with the special education department where he designed and taught adaptive technology courses. Jim was chosen as an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2000 and is known for his personable and witty classroom teaching style. He was the manager of professional development for PolyVision Inc. where he played a role in developing interactive whiteboard integration strategies for the classroom. Jim is currently the program coordinator for Wilkes University Classroom Technology and Instructional Technology Online M.Ed. programs. Jim holds a Ph.D. in instructional technology from the University of Colorado-Denver. He has presented at many international, national, and local educational conferences and is currently working with schools on their technology integration needs.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Director at the Capital Area Technical Center
Nicholas Gannon is the director at the Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta. Prior to working at CATC , Nicholas was principal at Richmond Middle/High School, part of RSU #2, and principal, assistant principal/athletic director, and math teacher at Lisbon High School in Lisbon Falls, ME. Nicholas's current work at CATC focuses on workforce development through program creation/expansion to meet the current labor needs and educating communities on the amazing opportunities for students at CATC. Through this work he hopes to help students find and be engaged in school programs that are of high interest and that lead to jobs that are satisfying in high skill/high wage industries. Nicholas's work in Richmond focused on establishing learner agency and structural supports for personalized learning in a proficiency based teaching and learning system. He has presented at state and national conferences as part of a team of RSU #2 representatives. Nicholas' personal education interests include Career and Technical Education, alternative pathways to graduation, and school culture improvement through cultivating hope in all learners. Nicholas holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brandeis University, completed course work for education certifications at Salem State College, and holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from New England College. He lives in Sabattus with his wife Lindsay, children Helen (7) and Wallace (5), and three cats.
Richard Abramson started his career in Maine education in 1977 as the director of special education in Gardiner. This was followed by his position as the executive director at the Kennebec Valley YMCA. Mr. Abramson then served as the superintendent of schools for three different school systems including Arundel and Wells, finishing his career in RSU #38 in Readfield, Maine, from 2001-2012. Mr. Abramson has held the position of adjunct professor at both the University of New England and the University of Maine at Orono, and he was also a Maine Distinguished Educator at the Maine Department of Education.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager of Operations
Stephanie Emery has been the registrar at Maine Virtual Academy since 2018. Before joining the K12 team, Stephanie worked in a dual role as a business developer and employment specialist servicing individuals with disabilities in both Maine and New Jersey. In this role she facilitated corporate relationships with human resource managers and management staff in various employment settings. She also worked closely with state vocational rehabilitation counselors while managing regional client caseloads. She provided advocacy and support to individuals during their job placement process, which included on-the-job training and additional pre/post-placement services. Services also extended to high school students where Stephanie worked with local schools and students in job/college and career services.
Before that, Stephanie was an American Sign Language Interpreter for over 20 years in the Maine and NJ Deaf Community. She is a big advocate for people with disabilities since both of her parents are Deaf, and her life has been immersed in this community for years.
Her youngest son is a 2019 graduate from MEVA and now is a full-time student at Southern Maine Community College. Her oldest son is a professional freelance musician and music producer.
Stephanie obtained vocational education/licensing through the University of NY at Buffalo/the TACE Center in NJ and University of VA for Disability Employment Services.
For any board contact info or outreach requests, please contact 207.613.8900, ext. 2001.
Job Titles:
- Director of External Affairs and Public Policy for CIANBRO
Tim Walton is the director of external affairs and public policy for CIANBRO, a 100% employee owned construction services firm headquartered in Pittsfield, Maine. Founded in 1949, CIANBRO operates in over forty states and employs over 4,000 team members. In his position, Mr. Walton manages and directs the company's political, regulatory and governmental affairs, as well as its charitable and political budgets, and involvement with trade and industry associations. He is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local, state, and federal government officials and serves as the company's chief lobbyist while managing lobbying activity in multiple states.
Prior to joining the CIANBRO team, Mr. Walton was the president/CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors of Maine, a statewide construction trade association. He also served on the congressional staffs of United States Senator Olympia J. Snowe and former United States Congressman James B. Longley, Jr., where he was honored by the Disabled American Veterans for his outstanding service.
He is a graduate of the University of Maine system where he received a bachelor's degree in public administration. Combined with his education, he has an extensive background in communications, advocacy, political issues, and business management. He has instructed and lectured on a variety of subjects including government, history, management, public affairs, and politics.