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IF YOU WANT TO RUN FAST, RUN ALONE

IF YOU WANT TO RUN FAR, RUN TOGETHER

- African proverb

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Eric Meyer, President & CEO

Eric Meyer, LCSW, MBA

President & CEO

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Eric is President and CEO of Spurwink, since 2013. Prior to joining Spurwink, he was the Senior Vice President-Operations of the national Behavioral Health Group at APS Healthcare and was responsible for operations at service centers located in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, California, Georgia and Florida. Eric is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked for many years in the Maine behavioral health provider community in a variety of roles, from therapist to program director. He obtained his MSW from the University of Maine and his MBA from the University of Southern Maine. Eric and his wife tend a small flock of chickens, some alpacas and a couple of horses on their small farm in Whitefield.
Bart Beattie, Chief Operating Officer

Bart Beattie, LCSW

Chief Operating Officer

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Bart joined Spurwink in 2023, before which he was the Chief Operating Officer of Pathways Human Services, a national behavioral healthcare company providing behavioral health and related educational and human services across 24 states and the District of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of clinical and leadership roles in several behavioral healthcare organizations here in Maine. He is passionate about developing strong leaders and teams to lead and grow innovative, mission-driven organizations.  A licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bart received his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Oregon and his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New England.  He is an avid outdoorsperson and Registered Maine Guide enjoying kayaking, hiking, and skiing, and has led treks in the Himalayas among the world’s highest mountains. Bart lives on Orr’s Island with his wife, daughters and dogs, where he can be found painstakingly crafting an old cottage into his family’s home. 

Sandra Bissell

Vice President of HR & Professional Development

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Sandy directs and manages the HR department which is responsible for the administration of benefits & compensation, employee relations, recruiting, worker’s compensation & safety and staff training & professional development. Sandy began her HR career working for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC for 18 years. After leaving DC, Sandy moved to Upstate New York to work for Hobart and William Smith Colleges as VP of HR. Sandy moved back to her home state of Maine to work for Goodwill Northern New England. Sandy holds a BA in Public Management from the University of Maine and a Certificate of Leadership from the Center for Creative Leadership. In her spare time, Sandy loves to travel and to bake for family and friends.

Eric Campbell, Vice President of Educational Services

Eric Campbell, MS, BCBA

Vice President of Educational Services

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Eric has been employed at Spurwink for almost 24 years. Eric joined the Spurwink team as an Educational Technician at the then Cummings Program (now Glickman Academy) and moved into a Special Education Teacher position a year later for the next seven years. During that time, Eric also worked frequently in our children’s residential homes in the Greater Portland area. Following his time at the Cummings Program, Eric joined the agency’s professional development team providing internal and external trainings and consultation services to local school districts. Eric moved into an administrative role as Education Director of Spurwink’s Therapeutic Preschool Program for two years, then into a role as Senior Program Director of Education supporting the agency’s day treatment programs, and then into his most previous position as Director of Educational Services. During his time at Spurwink, Eric has received his master’s in special education and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In addition to supporting our day treatment programs, Eric oversees Spurwink ALLTECH, the agency’s assistive technology program, and supports BHP, CARE, and other trainings for our staff.

Amy Cohan, LCSW

Senior Vice President of Outpatient & Community Services

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Amy began her career at Spurwink in 1994 as an outpatient clinician in the Lewiston Schools and has had her heart in the Outpatient and Community Services at Spurwink ever since. Since graduating with an MSW from Boston University School of Social Work in 1993, she has been working with children, youth and families in many clinical roles but her greatest professional joy comes supporting clinicians, case managers and teams. On the home front, Amy and her husband, Austin, keep busy with family, home and garden.
Al Durgin, VP of CQI, CCO

Al Durgin, LCSW

Vice President of CQI, Chief Compliance Officer

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Al Durgin is a clinical social worker who serves as Vice President for Continuous Quality Improvement and Outcomes at Spurwink, where he has worked for 28 years in both outpatient and residential programs.  He leads many of the agency’s compliance activities and tracks the various strategic planning streams.  Al was born and raised in Maine and has degrees from Harding University and University of Texas at Arlington. He is the father of three adult daughters and Papa to two grandsons.

Kristen P. Farnham, JD

Vice President of Legal Affairs & Advancement

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Kristen leads our Advancement Department, encompassing development and fundraising work, donor relations, marketing, and communications, and is the lead on Spurwink’s legal affairs. A graduate of Middlebury College and Boston College Law School, she joined Spurwink in 2015 with experience working with educational organizations, nonprofits, and in private practice.  Kristen loves connecting people – with each other, with ideas, and with opportunities to make a difference. Outside of Spurwink, she can be found with her family, usually on or near the water.
Ginny Gentile, Chief Financial Officer

Virginia (Ginny) Gentile, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

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Ginny is the Chief Financial Officer for Spurwink.  She is a certified public accountant who began her professional career at Baker Newman.  She began her career in behavioral healthcare in 2004 when she joined Youth Alternatives, now The Opportunity Alliance.  Serving behavioral healthcare and social service organizations is both her expertise and passion.  She is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine.  Ginny and her husband share their time between homes in Maine and New Hampshire, though she considers Portland, Maine her “real home” where she raised her three children.
Misty Marston, Vice President of Residential and Day Treatment Services

Misty Marston, LCSW

Senior Vice President of Residential & Day Treatment Services

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Misty Marston has been with Spurwink nearly eight years, holding a number of clinical and administrative positions before current role in senior leadership beginning in 2021. She is a licensed social worker and has been in the non-profit sector in Maine for 16 years. When asked what inspires her to work with Spurwink, Marston said “Our mission, the families, and the children we serve…and our amazing staff and colleagues.”

Rebecca Patkus, (she, her, hers) VP of Outpatient & Community Regional Services

Rebecca Patkus, LCSW

Vice President of Outpatient & Community Regional Services

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Rebecca Patkus, LCSW, has been with part of the Outpatient and Community Services leadership team at Spurwink since 2009. A graduate of Kenyon College and University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, Rebecca relocated in Maine in 2004 and has been doing clinical social work here ever since. Rebecca’s professional experiences range from case management to counseling to managing various programs that serve children, adults and families. Outside of her work at Spurwink, Rebecca and her husband, Jesse, keep busy at home with their two energetic elementary-school aged children.

Ben Strick, VP of Adult Behavioral Health

Benjamin Strick, LCSW

Vice President of Adult Behavioral Health

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Ben is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who started with Spurwink in August of 2006 as a case manager in the Juvenile Risk Reduction Program.  He received his undergraduate degree from Bates College, and his MSW from the University of New England. Ben has worked across Spurwink serving children, youth, families, and adults.  He was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Social Work Licensure where he serves as the Complaint Officer, and by the Attorney General to serve as a member on the Deadly Force Review Panel. Ben helped design and implement the State’s first 24/7 crisis receiving center and has worked closely with the Commissioner of Public Safety to offer statewide 24/7 telehealth weapons restriction assessments. At home, Ben enjoys gardening, spending time at the beach, and exploring the woods, with his wife and two daughters.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alistair Y. Raymond, Chair
Tari Advani, M.D.
Richard Berthy
Catherine Breen
Carrie Cianchette

Jeff D. Emerson
Daniel Fishbein, M.D.
Jim Giberson
Melanie Gilligan
Amanda Karomba

Tom Magadieu
Rose McManus
Stephanie Peters
Matthew G. Winch

Alistair (“Al”) Raymond, Esq. serves as the Chair of Spurwink’s Board of Directors and is a member of its Executive Committee. Al is Vice President – Chief Compliance Officer for Avangrid, Inc., and is responsible for the company’s corporate compliance and ethics program. Avangrid is the parent company of Central Maine Power and one of the largest producers of clean energy in the United States. Prior to joining Avangrid, Al practiced as a business law attorney at Verrill Dana, LLP, one of Maine’s largest law firms. Al’s commitment to improving services in the field of children’s mental and behavioral health came in part through his pro bono legal experiences. Al has been a member of Spurwink’s Board since 2007.

Tari Advani, M.D. is an emergency medicine physician at MidCoast Health System. Tari estimates that about 20% of the patients she sees have mental health issues contributing to their visit. Consequently, she has developed an extensive knowledge of services available and needed for children and adults with developmental disorders, mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, and drug and alcohol addiction. These factors have created a deep commitment to improve available services and accessibility to those services.

Richard Berthy is the CEO of Foreside Financial Group, LLC. Foreside is a distribution and compliance services firm serving the investment management industry. Rich serves on the Spurwink Board because he has witnessed friends with children on the autism spectrum struggle with obtaining services.

Cathy Breen has lived in the Portland area since 2000 and joined the Spurwink Board in 2013 and Chairs the Governance Committee. Cathy is a former Maine State Senator and has served on the Falmouth Town Council as well as on the Board of Directors of Community Counseling Center. She graduated from the Institute for Civic Leadership’s intensive training in collaborative leadership. Her experience in organizational development, strategic planning, fundraising, policy development, writing, advocacy, and mental health care supports her commitment to improve mental and behavioral health services for children and their families.

Carrie Cianchette believes in supporting her community in many ways, and especially helping those with behavioral health challenges.  Carrie began her journey with Spurwink by volunteering on Spurwink’s Development Committee in 2018.  Carrie graduated from Tufts University with a BS in Human Factors Engineering and a BA in Classical Studies.  She worked in usability and web design for a number of years in the Boston area before moving to Maine to raise her family and very small farm with her husband, Jason.

Jeff D. Emerson is President of NorthEnd Group LLC, a healthcare services, technology consulting and advisory company, and has served in executive-level roles for decades. Jeff has 16 years experience in computer and telecommunications systems management, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Symphony, the House of Ruth, Hospice of Prince George’s, and NYLCare/Mid-Atlantic. He is a Trustee of Bowdoin College. He graduated, with honors, from Bowdoin College with an AB in Theology and he has an MSTM in computer and information systems from American University.

Daniel Fishbein, M.D. is the President of Sun Life Financial U.S., and has served on Spurwink Boards for nearly twenty years. During his tenure as Chair of the Board (2009-2013), Spurwink fully utilized Dan’s experience in strategic planning, mergers, and organizational leadership. Dan currently lends his expertise to the Executive Committee. He is committed to furthering the betterment of services for children with Autism and developmental disorders in Maine.

Jim Giberson is a Maine native who moved back to the state and settled in Portland with his wife in 2012 after earning his degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University and beginning his career in the Chicago area. He serves as the Commercial Marketing Manager for Wright-Ryan Construction, supporting strategic and business development initiatives. Jim also serves on the Boards of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Northern New England chapter, and Architalx. Growing up with two parents who were public school educators, Jim is passionate about providing access to opportunities and paths to success for all people. He developed a stronger interest in Spurwink upon completion of the Emerging Leaders program led by Lift 360 (formerly the Institute for Civic Leadership). Jim is proud to support the organization’s behavioral health and educational mission through service on the Development and Finance/Audit Committees.

Melanie Gilligan has been a member of Spurwink’s Development Committee since 2012.  She has had a connection to Spurwink her entire life as her parents started their social service careers working at Spurwink as house parents before she was born.  As the mother of two amazing children, one who has ADHD, she is passionate about ensuring children and their families have access to the services they need.  Melanie is currently a Director, Retail Goods & Services at C Space, a customer agency.  She has over 20 years of experience in consumer insights and spent much of her career with  Hannaford.  She earned BA degrees in Mathematics and Sociology from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the University of Southern Maine.

Amanda Karomba, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Happy Haven, brings with her a wealth of experience, boasting seven years of dedicated service in her current role and a remarkable decade-plus history of supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and Autism. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amanda is an active and engaged member of various community organizations, lending her expertise to multiple causes.

Amanda’s journey to her current position in the United States is a testament to her resilience and determination. She and her family immigrated to the country in 1995, seeking refuge after surviving the harrowing events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Today, Amanda and her husband have become successful entrepreneurs, with a mission rooted in giving back to their adopted homeland. They strive to create jobs and empower fellow New Americans to leverage their skills and talents, contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity and facilitating a path to financial independence for all.

In addition to her impressive professional and community achievements, Amanda is a certified interpreter in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi, two languages predominantly spoken in East Africa. Her linguistic proficiency extends to Swahili and Lingala, further reflecting her diverse cultural background and her ability to connect with a wide range of individuals and communities.

Amanda draws daily inspiration from her loving family, including her supportive husband and their two cherished sons. Her unwavering dedication to her work, community, and the pursuit of a better future for all is a source of admiration and motivation for those fortunate enough to know her.

Tom Magadieu is a transformational marketing leader, presently serving as Director, Global Fleet Marketing at WEX, Inc. 2018 he was the WEX United Way Loaned Executive. Early career, Tom represented the Council for Exceptional Children, the Bureau for At Risk Youth, and the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, among other organizations and publications to partnering businesses. Little did he know how valuable that background would be years later, raising his own twice-exceptional children. Tom has a passion for early intervention and broadening the impact of behavioral health services across the community.

Rose McManus has dedicated herself to addressing the challenges faced by children with disabilities. As the parent of a daughter with Down Syndrome, Ms. McManus’ efforts to improve the quality of life for her own child led her to seek out other parents who had children with special needs. She eventually became an advocate for all children with disabilities. Her mission has been to educate other parents, educators, administrators, and organizations to fully understand disabilities and bring about societal inclusion for children with disabilities. Rose served on the Board of Community Partners Inc. (CPI), and joined the Board of Spurwink after it merged with CPI in 2017. Prior to 2017, she also was the nonprofit, President of Southern Maine Parent Awareness, and is currently a part of waban children’s advocacy group and the Southern Maine Transition Council as a member.

Stephanie Peters is responsible for all aspects of primary care, specialty and ancillary services, quality improvement, information technology, and facilities at InterMed, where she’s known for her boundless energy and translating strategic priorities into operational plans as well as managing InterMed’s COVID response.

A native of Brunswick, Stephanie earned a degree in Psychology and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis, where she played goalie on the women’s soccer team. She later received a master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine.

Stephanie joined InterMed in 2015 from MaineHealth, where she was Director of System Development. In that position, she supported the development of the system wide accountable care strategy to include a focus on Primary Care payment reform, physician compensation, and care coordination across the inpatient and outpatient settings.

In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her wife, their three children, and their two dogs. She is fluent in Spanish and has lived, taught English, and traveled extensively in South America. Stephanie is the Board Chair of New Communities, a non-profit organization that provides safe and supportive living environments and programs for adults and also serves as an Advisor to high school girls through the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.

Matthew Winch is an Architect with varied experience in the planning and design of educational, health care and health and human service-related facilities for the private and non- profit sectors. As the proud dad of three youngsters, Matthew is especially invested in furthering community services for children, prevention programs, and education. Matthew recently ended a 3-year term as the Board Chair, and continues to lend his expertise to the Executive, Governance, and Investment Committees.

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