Apply to the FUSION: Bangor Steering Committee!

FUSION: Bangor is governed by a volunteer Steering Committee. Members are made up of involved residents from the Greater Bangor region who represent a range of local businesses, industries, and interests. Steering Committee members are all involved with a subcommittee and have been previously involved with FUSION: Bangor programs & events. They look forward to welcoming you at the next FUSION: Bangor event!

JOIN A SUBCOMMITTEE

FUSION: Bangor has the following subcommittees that support the efforts of the Steering Committee: Events, Community, and Marketing. If you are new to FUSION and would like to get involved by joining one of these subcommittees, please fill out the form here:

Zack haynes, chair (KeyBank)

Zack has been a member of Fusion since 2022. Since graduating from the University of Maine, he has spent nearly 10 years in various roles in the banking sector. Currently, Zack is a Branch Manager at KeyBank in Bangor, where he helps ensure that our communities and businesses thrive. He also owns a restaurant, Charlie’s Seafood Market, in Lincoln. A Bangor native, Zack currently resides in Hampden with his husband Cody and their four cats.

Outside the office, you may catch Zack at one of his favorite local spots, namely Paddy Murphy’s, Mason’s, or Timber. You can also catch him walking the trails of the Bangor City Forest on a sunny day. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading. 

Zack joined Fusion to get more involved in his community. He started out on the Events subcommittee, on which he still sits. He joined the Steering Committee in 2023 and enjoys being a part of Fusion’s mission to make the Bangor area Maine’s preferred place to live, work, and play. 

One of Zack’s favorite quotes is “Things do not happen- things are made to happen.” -JFK

paul berube, vice chair (Bar harbor bank & trust)

Paul has been a member of FUSION since 2022. Paul works as Mortgage Loan Officer, at the Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, located on Broadway in Bangor.

Paul fills his time with many hobbies such as reading and spending time with friends and family. Paul has an 8-year-old pug, that runs the house. Paul’s favorite place to eat is Blaze - where else can you get such amazing pizza, mac and cheese, and be surrounded by great company?

Paul joined FUSION for the ability to network and connect with like-minded folks and also to promote Bangor all of the fantastic things that happen around the city.

Paul’s motto? “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho

maria lafrance, past chair (cross insurance)

Maria  has been a part of Fusion since 2023. She currently works at Cross Insurance Agency  here in Bangor as a Legal Department Coordinator,  where she gets to work with the executives and attorneys to help keep Cross running!

Outside of work, Maria’s hobbies include exercising, cooking, reading, watching  the latest hit tv show or movie, enjoying the summer concerts and of  course, spending time with family and  friends. She lives with her husband and their three pets: Murray,  Marble, and Sly. When grabbing a bite to eat, you might find her at  Miguels, Nest, or Masons.

Maria  was drawn to FUSION because of the people, and how much they do for the  Bangor community. She loves volunteering and giving back, and knows  that FUSION is extremely generous when doing  so for our area and its rising professionals. She joined FUSION to help  others grow to love the Bangor area as much as she does!

Maria’s favorite quote is from Malala Yousafzai: “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”

brooke phillips, development chair (bangor savings bank)

Brooke joined Fusion in the spring of 2025. She works as a Consumer Relationship Manager for Bangor Savings Bank, supporting personal and small business lending across the Greater Bangor Region while partnering closely with local branches.

During her free time, Brooke enjoys many activities outdoors, no matter the season, especially when surrounded by friends and family. She is currently pursuing her MBA through Thomas College as she is passionate about lifelong learning. Alongside her academic and professional goals, she enjoys developing new skills, from cooking to trying different exercise classes, and is excited to soon begin her journey into mini‑homesteading.

Brooke joined Fusion to become more engaged in the Greater Bangor community. As someone who is not originally from the area, she hoped to learn, grow, and connect through meaningful relationships with positive, like‑minded people. Her passion for volunteerism, community connection, and creating lasting positive impact aligns closely with Fusion’s mission and values.

Her favorite quote:
“Living in gratitude enriches every step we take, reminding us that we’re supported and surrounded by abundance. With that awareness, our journey feels lighter and our world grows brighter. With that fullness comes the desire to give back—because gratitude is most powerful when it inspires us to share our light with others.”

bryce derosby (united insurance)

Before entering the insurance industry, Bryce built a solid foundation in client service and financial solutions while working in retail banking. He leverages his business education, financial expertise, and relationship-oriented approach to help business owners secure the right coverage, enabling them to achieve long-term peace of mind. Bryce graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine with a degree in Marketing and Management.

When he’s not working, he enjoys staying active through running, hiking, and snowboarding, and traveling. He also enjoys reading, watching movies, and personal finance.

Favorite Quote: “There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need” -Morgan Housel

Thomas Gagnon, Community Committee Co-Chair (Bangor Savings Bank)

Thomas joined Fusion in late 2023. He is Co-Chair of the Community Committee and serves on the Steering Committee. Originally hailing from Caribou, he moved to the area to attend the University of Maine and soon realized he never wanted to leave. Today, Thomas is a Vice President and Enterprise Architect at Bangor Savings Bank, where he shares his passion for agile ways of working.

For recreation, Thomas enjoys building things—including woodworking, programming, and 3d printing. He also loves gaming, cycling, and exploring the state with his wife and son. He also serves on the Husson School of Technology and Innovation's Advisory Committee.

After graduating from the Bangor Region Leadership Institute, Thomas sought out other ways to stay engaged in the growth of the region. This led him to Fusion! Thomas is energized by the opportunities that Fusion creates for supporting amazing local nonprofits and finding creative solutions to challenging problems. And, of course, having fun working with an amazing group of people.

His favorite quote is: “You will always struggle with not feeling productive until you accept that your own joy can be something you produce. It is not the only thing you will make, nor should it be, but it is something valuable and beautiful.” ― Hank Green.

Chris Hill (Eastern Area Agency on Aging)

Chris has been a member of Fusion since May of 2023 and is in his first year as a member of the Steering Committee. He joined Eastern Area Agency on Aging as the Communications and Development Director in the spring of 2023 and joined Fusion as a way to push himself outside his comfort zone, network and meet other business leaders in the greater Bangor area.

Chris’ background has predominantly been in communications and marketing. He spent nearly 10 years in intercollegiate athletics capped off with a stint as the Assistant Athletic Director for Fan Experience at the University of Maine. You may have seen him running around making sure the marching band is on the field at the right time at football games or seen him overseeing on-ice promotions at Alfond during hockey games.

After deciding that the hectic schedule of athletics was no longer for him, he made the jump to non-profit work, joining Penobscot Community Health Care in 2020 and then transitioning to Eastern Area Agency on Aging in 2023.

Chris is super passionate about using his talents to help his community in his work and has loved the change to non-profit work.

Outside of work, Chris is married to his wife of six years, Brittany, and has two cats (Darby and Cheerio) and two dogs (Foley and Frankie). When it’s football season Chris is usually heard lamenting how bad the Buffalo Bills are and out of season he’s probably enjoying the Maine outdoors as much as he can.

Chris’ favorite motto that he heard from a professor in college that he lives by is: “90 percent of life is just showing up”. 

Rebecca Jones (all saints catholic school)

I believe a great vision only becomes reality when it’s backed by the right resources. I lead my professional life by a guiding philosophy from the Italian poet Alda Merini: 'Quelle come me sono quelle che, nei momenti di tempesta, imparano a danzare tra i fulmini'—meaning, 'Those like me are the ones who, in times of storm, learn to dance among the lightning bolts.' This spirit of resilience is what I bring to my work in our community.

​In my role at All Saints Catholic School, I serve as the Fundraising Coordinator. I lead our large-scale fundraising events and high-impact campaigns, bridging the gap to a better education for our students by raising the vital funds that strengthen our school’s roots.

​Parallel to this, I am the Founder and Principal Consultant of my firm, Foresight Catalyst Consultancy. As a Strategic Analyst and 'Funding Architect,' I help C-suite visionaries look around corners to identify untapped opportunities. I specialize in the high-stakes strategy and analytical rigor needed to turn 'What If' into 'What’s Next.'

​I’m an insatiable learner and a professional networker at heart. I love bringing this dual perspective—one dedicated to institutional impact and the other to entrepreneurial growth—to Fusion Bangor to help foster the connections that move our region forward

Tom Lott (keybank)

Tom is excited for his second year on the Steering Committee! He relocated to  Bangor in June 2024 from southern NH after getting married to his wife,  Sydney.

Outside  of work,Tom's hobbies include theatre with the Belfast Maskers, coaching the PVSC race team,  running, and giving back to the community. He currently resides in  Bangor with his wife, Sydney, and son, Clayton, and they enjoy trying new restaurants and  exploring the area together. Tom's favorite restaurant is “The Butcher  The Baker”, but “Timber” is a close second!

Tom  was drawn to FUSION because of the impact that the organization has in  the community along with the networking opportunities, and knows that  FUSION is instrumental in making Bangor the “preferred place to live,  work and play in Maine”.

“The  reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is  because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you  have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.” – David  Goggins

sam maloney, Marketing Chair (proinfo net)

Sam joined FUSION in 2025 and currently serves as the Marketing Chair. As a newer member of the Steering Committee, she is excited to help strengthen FUSION’s visibility, support its mission, and help more people across the region discover the organization and its community.
Sam is the Marketing Coordinator at ProInfoNet, an IT consulting firm headquartered in Bangor. In her role, she oversees social media, email marketing, websites, and print communications. She brings a background in marketing and content strategy and enjoys finding ways to connect people with information and resources that matter.
Outside of work, Sam is an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast. Most summer weekends are spent hiking or camping in the backcountry, while winter is dedicated to learning cross-country skiing.
For Sam, FUSION is about community building. She values the connections the organization creates and the opportunity to contribute her skills while helping Bangor remain a place where people want to live, work, and grow.

Her favorite quote is: “Pay attention / Be astonished /Tell about it” – Mary Oliver

joe marriner (lynch logistics)

Joe has been a member of Fusion since 2024 and is in his first year as a member of the Steering Committee. Joe joined Lynch Logistics and MaineDelivery as their Business Development Executive in 2023 and joined Fusion shortly after as a way to build professional relationships, network and meet other business leaders in the greater Bangor area.

Joe's background has spanned several industries from the mental health field while studying Logistics and Supply Chain Managment at Maine Maritime, owning a small business, to sales, warehouse, and fleet management at Pepsi out of state after graduating. When looking at places to raise their growing family, Joe moved back to Maine landing in Hampden and found a great fit at Lynch a family owned Logistics Business.

Outside of work, Joe is married to his wife, Bari, sharing four children, a silver lab Millie, and a cat named Mars. Joe is passionate about family, music and cars. And when not on large adventures with his kids can be found proudly working on a '67 camaro and a '91 miata on the weekends and attending as many concerts at the waterfront as he can!

One of Joe's favorite quotes is "Being smarter than you look is better than looking smarter than you are. " - Jeremy Clarkson

Matty Miles, events committee co-chair (bar harbor bank & trust)

Matthew joined the FUSION Steering Committee in 2023!

Matthew works as a Branch Sales and Service Team Lead at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust in Bangor. Matt also has a background in banking and construction. Matthew grew up in Old Town and enjoys any opportunity engaging with his community. 

Matthew’s primary hobby is spending his time with his dogs; they are his pride and joy. He also loves spending time with his family and friends. In the summer, you can often find him with both the top and doors off his jeep and the music turned up. Matthew is often out on the water in his kayak, camping, having a fire with friends or grilling at home. Matthew loves to cook or have dinner out with friends and family.

Matthew has always wondered, like many of us, about how he can make the world a better place and how he can help his community grow. Through the years, he has seen the City of Bangor develop into an amazing metropolis! Having done a lot of traveling, Matthew knows how special Maine and the members of Maine communities really are! As a Mainer, you just stand out from the rest of the world! He is happy to call Maine home and help many others call Maine home as well!

His favorite motto is: “Be the person your dog thinks you are.”

Arieana Mangra, Events Committee Co-chair (University of Maine)

Arie joined FUSION in 2024 and is now the 2025 Co-Chair of the Events Committee. She works as the Director of Student Success and Advising for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing at the University of Maine. 

Having recently moved to Bangor, Arie found FUSION to be the perfect way to connect with others and get settled in. Outside of work, she’s usually exploring the local food scene (or cooking up something at home, fingers crossed it turns out well). Arie loves the four seasons, especially since she didn’t grow up with them, and is always discovering new things about the community. She’s excited to be part of FUSION and help make Bangor an even better place to live, work, and play!

jennifer munson (cole land transportation museum)

Jennifer joined the FUSION Steering Committee in January 2024. Originally from Springfield, Maine, she currently serves as the Executive Director of the Galen Cole Family Foundation and the Cole Land Transportation Museum. In this role, Jennifer brings a strong passion for celebrating and illuminating the rich tapestry of Maine’s transportation history while advancing the Foundation’s mission of community impact and veteran support.

A proud alumna of the University of Maine, Jennifer earned her B.A. in History in 2020 and her M.A. in History in 2024. Most recently, she expanded her leadership experience by joining the Bangor Region Leadership Institute’s Class of 2025, where she also serves on the BRLI Steering Committee as Treasurer.

Jennifer has played a vital role in reshaping the Cole Land Transportation Museum through increased public engagement, the introduction of popular new community events, and the revitalization of many of the museum’s programs. Her leadership has supported both organizational growth and her own personal and professional development within the Greater Bangor Region.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her loved ones, including visits to see her fiancé, Markus, in Germany. Some of her favorite destinations include Malaysia, Austria, and Dubai. She values meeting new people and sharing meaningful experiences along the way.

Her favorite quote is, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Deven Soondar (Rudman Winchell)

Deven is a recent addition to both Fusion and the state of Maine, and he is thrilled to be part of this outstanding organization. Originally from Florida, Deven completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of South Florida before pursuing law school in New Hampshire. At USF, he double majored in political science and religious studies with a minor in economics. While working on his Master’s in religious studies, Deven served as a teaching assistant as he studied the intersections of religion with various aspects of life, including politics, urban planning, food sovereignty, and environmentalism.

Deven obtained his law degree from Franklin Pierce (UNH) School of Law and has been admitted to the Maine State Bar. Throughout law school, he actively participated in clubs and organizations such as the Environmental Law Club, the Sports Club, and held the role of treasurer in the Student Bar Association. Deven frequently assumed leadership positions and organized events. He also gained valuable experience by interning with the Broward County Public Defender and as a student attorney at the New Hampshire Public Defender.

Currently, Deven is a member of Rudman Winchell, where he specializes in all areas of litigation, including criminal defense. When he's not otherwise preoccupied with basketball, TV, movies, video games, or working out, you can often find him in the many restaurants of the Bangor region.

Deven’s favorite quote is “You are the universe experiencing itself” – Alan Watts

cynthia smith (empeople credit union)

Cindi Smith joined Fusion in 2024, bringing her enthusiasm and creativity to the Events Committee. She has been with Empeople Credit Union for 29 years, where she manages the Bangor branch at Maine’s first credit union. Known for her leadership and commitment to members, Cindi is passionate about helping people feel supported and financially confident.

Outside of work, Cindi loves spending time with her family and friends and can often be found camping, hiking, biking, or traveling. She’s also an avid crafter—recently diving into the world of Cricut projects and creating glitter tumblers with epoxy.

Cindi joined Fusion to become more involved in the community, build meaningful connections with peers, and take part in volunteer opportunities. She enjoys collaborating with others and bringing positive energy to everything she does.

“Balance is not about being perfect, it’s about knowing when to adjust”

Elaine Thomas (Heart of Maine United Way)

Elaine joined the FUSION Steering Committee in 2025. She is the Director of Community Impact at Heart of Maine United Way and loves working to create community change through programs and partnerships, especially through United Way's new nonprofit hub. 

She believes FUSION is a great way to meet professionals from a variety of backgrounds and sectors as we all work toward the same mission of creating a vibrant, connected community. She serves as the co-chair of the Community Committee and is passionate about connecting volunteers with ways to get involved. She is constantly inspired by how generous FUSION members are with their time and energy!

In her free time, Elaine enjoys being outside with her senior dog Wendell, cooking new recipes, and attending musical performances. She loves living in downtown Bangor and her favorite businesses to frequent with friends are Chimera, Paddy Murphy's, the Rock & Art Shop, and Bagel Central. 

Ryan Tribou, Treasurer (rt electrical llc)

Ryan joined the FUSION Steering Committee in 2023 and is starting his tenure as the Sports Committee Chair in 2024.

A native of Aroostook County, Ryan graduated from Husson University in 2018 with a BS in Communications. Following graduation he went on to work for a sound reinforcement company. There he toured globally with musical artists Queen and Adam Lambert as well as the Jonas Brothers. 

In 2020 Ryan relocated to Hampden and currently works for Gifford Electric as a Journeyman Electrician and foreman. He also owns and operates his business RT Property Services, LLC.

Ryan was attracted to FUSION for the ability to network with other professionals in the area and learn more about different industries. The relationships he has built through FUSION are invaluable and have helped him grow in his career. 

In his free time Ryan enjoys making music, kayaking, golfing, water skiing, and cruising around the Bangor area in his family’s Model A. Ryan is also a member of the Hampden Planning Board, the Husson University Alumni Board, Mystic Lodge #65, and the Anah Shrine.

Ryan’s favorite quote is by Steve Jobs: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”