Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast

Portsmouth Herald
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Michele Sheppard named first female President and CEO of the Granite YMCA

Michele Sheppard
Michele Sheppard

MANCHESTER — The Board of Trustees of The Granite YMCA unanimously appointed Michele Sheppard to the position of President and CEO. “Michele has over 13 years of proven leadership within The Granite YMCA, and she is very highly regarded by the staff, members, donors and community leaders,” said Rob Glew, CVO of Trustees. “Michele has spent over 30 years in the YMCA network evolving, growing and sharing her immense talents and we are confident she is the right leader to take us into the future,” Glew added.

Michele Sheppard holds a BS in kinesiology from the University of Maryland. She began her YMCA career in 1986 as the Physical Director at the Chambersburg YMCA in Pennsylvania and she also enjoyed time with The Watertown New York YMCA for several years as a Health and Physical Education Director.

During her 10 plus year tenure at the Chambersburg YMCA, she earned her program and senior program director certifications from Y-USA, attended the Indiana University School of Fundraising and was promoted to the Associate Executive Director role. Michele's unwavering commitment to health and wellness is so strong, that when she left the Chambersburg YMCA in 2009, they named their youth fitness facility in her honor.

In 2009, Michele joined The Granite YMCA as the YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown Executive Director. After five years in this role, she was promoted to District VP and two years later became the Chief Operating Officer. She is a strong community convener, believes heavily in supporting health equity initiatives, coaching and developing staff, and has worked hand in hand with various partners and collaborators across the state of New Hampshire to improve the overall health and well-being of the surrounding communities.

“I am honored and humbled by the Board’s vote of confidence in me and I’m equally proud to lead as the first female to assume the position of President and CEO of The Granite YMCA,” explained Sheppard. “I have dedicated much of my adult working life to the mission of the YMCA, and I believe strongly in all that we have accomplished over the years. Our impact is life-altering for many adults, children and families, and I look forward to illuminating new opportunities for growth and inclusiveness to every member of the community wanting to join the YMCA movement under my leadership,” Sheppard added.

Partners Bank’s Blaine Boudreau has been elected Chair of Maine Bankers Association

Blaine Boudreau
Blaine Boudreau

SANFORD, Maine— Partners Bank announced that on July 1, Partners Bank President and CEO, Blaine Boudreau, assumed the role of Chair of the Maine Bankers Association for a one-year term. The appointment comes after MBA member banks elected Boudreau to the position at the association’s 129th Annual Meeting that commenced the month prior.

Boudreau joined Partners Bank in 2003 and previously held the positions of Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending and Executive Vice President for Commercial Lending and Business Development. He began his career in banking in 1983 at Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution where he spent two years before joining TD Banknorth (formerly People’s Bank) in 1985, where he transitioned into commercial lending and remained for 19 years.

Patrners Bank President and CEO Blaine Boudreau (right) has assumed the role of Chair of the Maine Bankers Association from 2021-2022 Chair, Curtis Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust (left).
Patrners Bank President and CEO Blaine Boudreau (right) has assumed the role of Chair of the Maine Bankers Association from 2021-2022 Chair, Curtis Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust (left).

“I am excited to serve the MBA community throughout the coming year and I look forward to adding to the long-standing history of advocating on behalf of Maine bankers,” says Boudreau of his role as Chair of MBA.

The MBA represents Maine’s banking industry and its 9,000 employees statewide. Maine’s 29 retail banks operate 454 offices in nearly every community throughout the state, where they assist Maine’s citizens and businesses with financial decisions that improve the quality of life for everyone. MBA also provides Maine banks with a forum to exchange valuable industry information; gain maximum representation in state and federal legislative and regulatory matters; receive education, training, and staff certification; and wield greater collective purchasing power.

Kevin Kneeland recognized as REALTOR of the Year at Seacoast Board of REALTORS

Kevin Kneeland
Kevin Kneeland

PORTSMOUTH – Kevin Kneeland was awarded the 2022 REALTOR of the Year of the Seacoast Board of REALTORS at a reception held at Flag Hill Distillery and Winery in Lee on June 15.

Kneeland is a REALTOR with Compass New England, Portsmouth, N.H.  He also serves as Treasurer for the Seacoast Board. The award was presented by Kathy Ahlin, the 2021 REALTOR of the Year recipient.

Jeremy Forest, Bridges Brothers Movers, Exeter was recognized as 2022 Affiliate of the Year.  In addition to REALTORS, Seacoast board membership includes organizations affiliated with the real estate profession, such as movers, title companies, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and others that support the real estate transaction.

Pam Chaffee, Better Homes and Garden Masiello Group, Hampton was presented with the Board’s Annual Good Neighbor Award by Doreen Andriola, 2021 recipient.  Andriola states “Filling my heart with joy through giving is extremely rewarding and fulfilling.”  Austin 17 House, Brentwood will receive $1,000 in honor of Chaffee’s Award.

Two local board Members were awarded REALTOR Emeritus Status, which is presented to a REALTOR who has held membership in the National Association of REALTORS for a period of 40 years, as well as a minimum of one year of service to the National Association.  The 2022 recipients recognized are Ann Cummings, Re/Max Shoreline, Portsmouth and Patti Kemen, Great Island Realty, Portsmouth.

Each year, the Seacoast Board of REALTORS awards three $2,500 scholarships to area graduating seniors. This year’s recipients are Hannah Ritchie, Madeleine Pettis and Paige Bosworth.
Each year, the Seacoast Board of REALTORS awards three $2,500 scholarships to area graduating seniors. This year’s recipients are Hannah Ritchie, Madeleine Pettis and Paige Bosworth.

Each year, the Seacoast Board of REALTORS awards three $2,500 scholarships to area graduating seniors.  This scholarship is awarded in memory of Lori Breard-Weeden. This year’s recipients are Hannah Ritchie, graduate of Winnacunnet High School, will be attending UNH to pursue a major in Business/Marketing.  Madeleine Pettis, a graduate of Portsmouth High School will be attending Elon University majoring in Journalism. Paige Bosworth, a graduate of Newmarket High School, will attend UMass Amherst with an anticipated major of Cell & Molecular Biology.

The afternoon concluded with a live auction and a drawing for 100 bottles of wine, donated by various members of the Seacoast Board of REALTORS.   Patty O’Brien of The Gove Group, was the winner.  The Auction and Raffle raised over $6,500 to be shared by the Lori Breard-Weeden Scholarship Fund and St.Vincent de Paul, the Board’s 2022 Charity of Choice.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast