Meet the Team
Amy Bannon-Staats
Co-Executive Director
In my role, I collaborate with the Managing-Director of Operations, Lizz, to lead the organization responsibly and strategically towards an exciting future. I organize fundraising initiatives, write grants, oversee marketing and communications efforts, and support the needs of our growing team of amazing staff and volunteers!
Home: Albany Township, ME
Favorite book: “When Women Were Birds” by Terry Tempest Williams.
When I’m not working: You’ll find me romping in the mountains with my dog Elmer, skiing, paddling, or climbing any of the magnificent granite walls in New England.
Nate Podgajny
Program Director
I work closely with the Managing Directors and the Program Team to ensure that all activities at Maine Adaptive offer the best experience to our students and volunteers. I’m stepping into this role with a wide background as a professional snowsports instructor, a camp director, and a nonprofit leader. I have a Master’s degree in health sciences (my thesis was in neuroscience) from Montana State, and have spent time working in a variety of healthcare settings.
Home: Farmington, ME
When I’m not working: I can be found enjoying the outside – on lakes, trails and rivers.
Lizz Peacock
Co-Executive Director
I coordinate with the Managing Director of Advancement, Amy, to ensure that all the various aspects of Maine Adaptive work together in a way that is mission driven and fiscally responsible. I work closely with the program team to deliver on our motto of “Safety, Fun and Learning.”
Home: Newry, ME
When I am not working: You can probably find me in or on water – liquid or frozen.
If I was a TV show character: I would probably be the hidden announcer/narrator.
Brandon Merry
Senior Program Manager
I oversee all program needs, development, and program delivery…the fun stuff! Working to enhance volunteer engagement, recruitment, and training opportunities.
Home: Andover, ME
Spirit Animal: The wolf, always leading from the back of the pack to assure that everyone stays together.
Favorite Book: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Heather Roscoe
Program Manager
Role Description: I manage the Nordic and Court Sports programs and support the program team at all other activities.
Home: Rumford, ME
Favorite Quote: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear (or bad gear choices)”
Favorite Book: The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson
Spirit Animal: Otters (because of their affinity for water and playfulness)
When I’m not working: You’ll probably find me Nordic skiing in the winter, biking, hiking, paddling, and camping in the summer, playing strategic board & card games, playing the tenor and/or baritone sax in local community bands, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Favorite smell: Pine tree forest
Alissa Towle
Specialty Program Manager
I work with the program staff to coordinate and execute Maine Adaptive’s specialty programs. Current examples include Veterans programming, New England Visually Impaired fest (NEVI*Fest), and Mono-Ski Training Camp.
Home: Cumberland, ME
You might not know this about me: I am a native Mainer and have lived here my entire life as have my parents.
When I am not working I am probably: Camping. An ideal trip includes all my kids and involves biking, hiking, and paddling.
Mary Scanlon
Communications Coordinator
I am responsible for ensuring that participant and volunteer paperwork submitted is complete and processed. As well as an assortment of administrative tasks around the office.
Home: Bethel, ME
The one item I would grab from my burning house is: A painting hanging in my kitchen by my Mom.
Recent great read: Sesame Street “Grover Goes to School” by Dan Elliott.
Toby Burdet
Sugarloaf Program Manager
I oversee our winter program up at Sugarloaf, which includes all the scheduling for participants, volunteers and advisors. I love being able to spend my weekends out in the mountains and helping others do the same!
Home: Oakland, ME
Favorite Quote: Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start. -Nido Qubien
Favorite Vacation Spot: With my family in Switzerland
Enock Glidden
Program Administrator
I assist with the development side of Maine Adaptive and assist fundraisers and donors during the Ski-a-Thon. I also coordinate the many outreach events we offer throughout the year.
Home: Rumford, ME
Brian Lenberg
Donor and Events Manager
In my role, I connect with donors, sponsors, and community partners to support Maine Adaptive’s mission and ensure our programs continue to thrive. I help plan and execute fundraising events, strengthen donor relationships, and find creative ways to celebrate the generosity that makes adaptive recreation possible for everyone!
Home: Bethel, ME
When I am not working: You will likely find me golfing, hiking, or skiing with my wife and son – if we are not busy tending to our farm animals!
Susan Barras
Equipment Coordinator
In my role, I work closely with our program team to maintain and organize our equipment, making sure everything is ready for each program day. My goal is to support our staff and volunteers so they can stay focused on what matters most—our students.
Home: Greenwood, ME
When I am not working: I’m often back in my first career, creating props for Broadway and touring shows—you’d be surprised how often those skills come in handy here!
Board of Directors
Paul Hogan, President
Kennebunkport, ME
I joined the Maine Adaptive community as a volunteer in 2010, driven by a personal goal: getting my nephew Luke, who has cerebral palsy, onto alpine skis. We had witnessed the transformative power of the program at Sunday River, and before long, my wife Geri and I purchased a condo to more fully support the mission and become a part of the Bethel area community.
Now serving as Board President, the board and staff are spearheading Maine Adaptive’s “next big thing”—the redevelopment of the Mountain Center in Newry. This 340-acre campus, formerly operated by Outward Bound, represents a historic leap forward, providing year-round recreational training and experiences in one of New England’s most pristine landscapes.
I bring a diverse professional background to this role, having served in legal and compliance roles at Prudential Insurance and, before that, as a partner at a major New Jersey law firm. Other career and life experiences were in political fundraising and student affairs administration. When my wife’s job took us to London, I adapted and became a full-time stay-at-home dad.
When not in Bethel, Geri and I live in Kennebunkport. We have two children: Gwynne is a journalist in NYC, and Grady is an attorney in Portland, Maine.
I graduated college from Rutgers, earned an MEd from Teachers College – Columbia University, and then a JD from Seton Hall Law School.
Sally Harkins, Co-Vice President
Bethel, ME
Joseph Begin, Treasurer
South Portland, ME
Joe Begin is a Tax Senior Manager at Baker Newman Noyes at Portland, where he specializes in tax planning and compliance for closely held businesses and real estate professionals. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting concentration) from the University of Maine, Orono, and a master’s degree in accounting from Saint Joseph’s College. Born and raised in southern Maine, Joe now resides in Scarborough. In his free time, he enjoys golfing (poorly), video games, and spending time with friends and family.
Stephen Bergeron
Bethel, ME
I am a 37 year global sales and marketing professional. During my career I have developed global strategies with building cross departmental teams.
Our son sustained a serious injury at the age of 7. Our family has developed adaptive strategies over the years allowing our son to have a full life.
Elyse Cochrane, Co-Vice President
Freeport, ME
I am a Senior Project Manager for an energy storage technology company based in Milan, Italy. The company is called Energy Dome. We build “CO2 batteries” that are utility-scale energy storage systems. I’ve worked as a technical project manager over the last 10 years in the utility/energy/machine industry. I received my PMP certification in May 2020, and I teach master’s level project management courses part-time at the Roux Institute (Northeastern) in Portland, ME.
Joseph Begin (another board member) originally introduced me to MASR because he knew my professional skills and that I have a ski cabin in Carrabassett Valley, where I grew up skiing with my grandmother. Winter sports have been such a gift for me and my family. Giving back to this organization is a perfect fit for me; Joe was right!
Luke Goodine
Naples, ME
Account Executive, Chalmers Insurance Group. I am a Commercial Insurance Advisor with 15 years of experience in the industry. My practice is focused on manufacturing, construction and human services.
I am heavily invested in my communities both personally and in business. Maine Adaptive serves an important need for those with barriers to participate in sports. Skiing has always been an important part of my life, and I love being able to share that experience with others that might not otherwise be able to participate.
Glen Harrop
Newry, ME
Originally from Oldham in Northwest England, Glen Harrop’s journey to Sunday River began with the North American Ski and Snowboard Academy (NASSA), a program designed to immerse young adults in the ski industry. In 1999, he joined Sunday River as a Ski Instructor, and after just one season, he was hooked on the mountain lifestyle and the Maine outdoors.
Over the past 20+ years, Glen has been a dedicated member of the Sunday River community, sharing his passion for skiing and fostering strong relationships with guests, team members, and local partners. His commitment to creating meaningful experiences on and off the slopes reflects his love for the outdoors and the unique spirit of Western Maine.
Glen lives in Newry with his wife, Meredith, and their three children, Henry, Clara, and Poppy. Henry is a proud participant in Maine Adaptive, and as a family, they’re grateful to raise their children in a community that embraces outdoor adventure and connection.
Mona Freeman-Wilkinson
Newry, ME
A retired Senior Vice President in Personal Insurance, I bring more than 30 years of leadership experience in Maine’s property and casualty industry. I grew up in northern Maine and have been a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, with a particular passion for skiing.
My belief in the power of recreation to transform lives has guided much of my volunteer work, including many years of support for Special Olympics and service as a mentor at the Long Creek Youth Development Center. I am excited to bring my leadership experience, love of the outdoors, and commitment to inclusion to the Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation board.
Rebecca Mellaly
Portland, ME
Becca Mellaly is currently employed at Tyler Technologies where she is an associate software support specialist. Before this, she spent 8 years in the education/nonprofit sector working with students with barriers to their education and helping them earn credentials of value. In 2021, she joined Maine Adaptive as a volunteer. Becca has a dual B.S. degree in Secondary Education and Biochemistry from Unity College. Becca lives in Portland with her husband Liam. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Steven Palleschi, Past President
Falmouth, ME
Steve Palleschi is a Vice President and Director with TD Bank, a High School Baseball Coach, proudly serves as the Treasurer for the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, and serves on the Board of Directors for Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation. Steve and his wife, Kerry, live in Falmouth, ME, with their two dogs Ozzy and Fletcher.
Steve’s initial volunteer experience with Maine Adaptive began in the early 2000’s, when he and his friends founded their College’s Ski & Snowboard Club as a way to build a network and community across their campus for skiing and riding, and find ways to give back to their community. Over 20 years later, Steve remains committed to the Maine Adaptive mission and finding ways to enable the organization’s Staff and Volunteers to keep providing opportunities for our athletes and participants to thrive!
Josh Precourt
Saco, ME
Josh Precourt is a Vice President and Commercial Banking Relationship Manager at Bangor Savings Bank. Having been in commercial banking for 15 years, he supports the lending needs of businesses and commercial real estate developers in the Southern Maine region. Born and raised in Biddeford, Josh returned to Maine from Massachusetts and New York in 2018 and lives in Saco with his wife and two sons. In addition to MASR, Josh serves as a Board Member for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southern Maine. In his spare time, Josh enjoys golfing and spending time with his family.
Dan Tilton
Detroit, ME
Dan Tilton is the President and CEO of Skowhegan Savings Bank, where he brings strong sales experience and a real dedication to his community. A proud father of eight, Dan was introduced to MASR through one of his children, a committed mono‑skier—an experience that sparked his enthusiasm for the organization’s mission. When he’s not leading at the bank or supporting adaptive sports, Dan enjoys skiing, hunting, coaching hockey, and spending time at camp with his family.
Jasmine Waite
Sidney, ME
Jasmine Waite is a Project Manager with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where she works in the Environmental and Community Health program. Before joining the Maine CDC in 2021, she served as a Clinical Research Coordinator. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Technical Writing.
Jasmine first joined Maine Adaptive in 2022 as a visually-impaired skier, and found the experience transformative. She quickly became involved with a variety of other sport offerings, and then began to explore how she could give back. Being part of the MASR community has been such a gift for her, and she’s grateful to serve on the board.
In her free time, she can often be found hiking, reading, and volunteering as a lighting director with her church.
Volunteer Advisory Council Members
The Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) comprises venue and sport-specific, elected volunteers who help to
put MASR’s mission into action by fostering communication among the volunteers, the Board of
Directors, and the Staff.
Larry Collins
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sports: Paddling, Nordic, Alpine Skiing
Ernie Forgione
MASR Venue: Pineland Farms
Sports: Snowshoe, Cycling, Paddling
Jeff Gray
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Barbara Raiche
MASR Venue: Sugarloaf
Tom Beaulieu
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Becca Harrison
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Charles Scribner
MASR Venue: Pleasant Mtn.
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Gabby Sinotte-Chair
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Nick Burnett
MASR Venue: Sunday River
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Nate Podgajny- Staff Representative
Lynne Cole
MASR Venue: Pleasant Mountain
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Glenn Kroll – Board of Directors Representative
To join the council or ask questions please email Gabby Sinotte at vac@maineadaptive.org Please include your sports of interest, your ski location of interest, and any adaptive specialties you might have such as blind guiding or tethering.