Board of Directors & Staff
STAFF
Becca Gildred
Executive Director
Becca is a long-time resident of Rockport and joins UMC after serving as Chief Development Officer at Knox County Homeless Coalition for the past 8 years. She has extensive experience in fundraising, marketing, communications, grant writing, and public relations—all key elements to building a stronger organization to support partner agencies in the community. Becca is passionate about all aspects of life here and is excited to support the non-profits in our four focus areas and more people living and working in the Midcoast.
Rebecca Leonard
Administrative Coordinator
Rebecca is a lifelong resident of the Midcoast and joins UMC after having worked as the Retail Manager at the Samoset Resort/Ocean Properties for more than 26 years. She oversees all our administrative functions, including grant applications, and most likely is the friendly voice you hear should you call (207-236-2299) or inquire via email.
Eileen McGuigan
Development and Communications Coordinator
Eileen began her career in social services, then shifted to the creative field, working with local, national and global advertising and catalog clients upon moving to Rockport 25 years ago. Before joining UMC, she had been back in social services for five years.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Hengerer
Chair & Grants Chair
Jim grew up in Albany, NY. After medical school, he served in U.S. Navy for nine years while training in Ear, Nose and Throat. He practiced in Lynchburg, VA for 35 years and retired to Rockland four years ago with his wife, Judy. They have spent summers in Maine on Echo Lake for many years.
Jay Foster
Vice Chair & Governance Chair
Jay graduated from Camden High School and, after graduating aviation technical school and time spent with the U.S. Army, completed a 35-year career in commercial aviation with Trans World Airlines. Since returning home, he volunteers locally and works on various boards and committees for the Town of Lincolnville.
Kristin Sidwell
Communications Committee Chair & Interim Secretary
Prior to her current position overseeing the marketing and communications at CedarWorks, Kristin worked in nonprofits for almost 20 years, including as Director of the Women’s Resource Center in Durango Colorado and more recently at the Children’s House Montessori School in Camden.
Locally, she has served on the Camden Budget Committee, The Maine Montessori Association Board of Directors, the Independent Schools Association of Midcoast Maine, and the Watershed School.
Frank Hackett
TreasurerÂ
Frank and his wife, Mary Ann, relocated to Rockport in 2018 from the Hudson Valley. Frank has experience from his past roles as partner at a CPA firm, COO of a leather design firm, CFO of a lamp manufacturer and a consultant to many for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Frank has enjoyed vacationing in Maine for 40 years and continues to enjoy traveling, hiking, camping and skiing now that he is a resident.
Denise Breed
Denise enjoyed a 20-year diplomatic career across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. She also worked for two years as the executive aide to the commander, U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Breed relocated to Rockport with her husband Jeff in the summer of 2019.
Elinor Goldberg
Ellie has lived in Hope since 1971 and has spent most of her professional career advocating for children, youth and families. She retired as the founding executive director of the Maine Children’s Alliance. Ellie is trained as a social worker and has served on many advisor councils, including the Maine Children’s Cabinet and Maine Child Care Advisory Council and on the boards of Equity Maine, Dirigo Alliance, Belfast Area Childcare Center and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. She is now retired and enjoying her gardens.
Karyn Rizzo
Karyn spent many years at Sun Life’s U.S. headquarters in Wellesley, Massachusetts, leading the conference services department. Rizzo and her team managed meetings and incentive conferences for the company in the U.S., Canada and other countries. She and her husband Tom retired to Maine after her retirement in 2012. They reside in Owls Head.
Melanie Frazek
Melanie moved to Belfast, Maine from Illinois in 2011. With Bar admissions in Illinois, Maine, and the U.S. Supreme Court, her law practice concentrates on estate planning. Additionally, she is an independent hearing officer for two Maine state agencies.
Larrain Slaymaker
Larrain has lived in Hope, Maine for over forty years and worked with a wide range of businesses, non-profits, government, and community organizations. She has operated several marine businesses and currently owns and operates NorthPoint Yacht Charters. In addition, Larrain has served on numerous Boards including the National Resources Council of Maine and was Chair of the Knox Local Case Resolution Committee under the Maine Children’s Cabinet.