The Maine Center Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence and honoring outstanding alumni from the Maine Center’s core academic partners — Maine Graduate School of Business, University of Maine School of Law, the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, and the Muskie School of Public Service — as well as community innovators driving economic growth.
2026 Award Winners
Ellie Baker
Former Managing Principal, Baker Newman Noyes (retired)
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine School of Law
Eleanor “Ellie” Baker is a retired Maine attorney and accounting executive who built a distinguished career at the intersection of law, finance, and professional services. A graduate of the University of Maine and the University of Maine School of Law, she later earned a postgraduate law degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law.
Baker co-founded the Portland-based accounting and consulting firm Baker Newman Noyes, helping guide its growth over two decades into one of northern New England’s leading professional services firms. She served as managing principal and was an accounting professional for nearly 40 years, holding the Personal Financial Specialist designation and advising a wide range of clients.
Known for her leadership and commitment to community engagement, Baker played a key role in shaping the firm’s culture of service and philanthropy. She retired in 2016 after overseeing a successful leadership transition, leaving behind a strong legacy in Maine’s business and professional community.
Jim Damicis
Senior Vice President, Camoin Associates
Alumni affiliation: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service
For more than 30 years, Jim has led analyses and strategies for economic, workforce, and community development across the country. This includes work for state, regional, local, and private clients. In Maine, Jim has worked with municipalities in every county, state agencies, non-profits, and private clients focused on analytics, strategies, and policy, all of which stem from his studies and applied research at USM and the MPPM program.
Before merging with Camoin Associates in 2009, Jim built PolicyOne Research (a Maine-based company) into a leading research and analysis firm serving private and public clients throughout the northeast. He also worked for the Maine Science and Technology Foundation (MSTF) for three years as the Director of Research and Policy. Jim started his career as Director of Research for the Maine Municipal Association.
With Camoin Associates, Jim, along with his partner, has grown the company from eight employees to twenty-six and expanded services across the country to nearly every state.
Jim is a national leader in preparing professionals, communities, and regions for an emerging economic future through his work with Communities of the Future and as an instructor for the International Economic Development Council’s certification course on strategic planning. Additionally, Jim is a member of the Public Policy Advisory Committee for the Federal Reserve of Boston and a past president of the Northeastern Economic Development Association. He is a regular speaker at conferences on emerging trends and practices in his industry and the author of multiple professional articles.
Since graduating from the Master’s of Public Policy and Management Program at USM, Jim has been an active alumnus, including partnering with USM professors on applied work in Maine, mentoring students and young alumni, hosting interns, and hiring graduates. He is currently Chair of the MPPM Advisory Committee and a member of the Board of Visitors of the Muskie School of Public Services. In those capacities, Jim has helped expand membership, launched new programming, and increased connections with students and faculty.
Barbara Kerr Hamilton
Senior Director, Process Technology, Packaging Corporation of America
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine College of Engineering & Computing
Barbara Kerr Hamilton is a senior technology leader in the paper and packaging industry and Senior Director of Process Technology at Packaging Corporation of America, the third-largest producer of containerboard and corrugated products in the U.S. A University of Maine alumna with a background in chemical engineering, she has built a career spanning engineering, industrial automation, energy management, process control, and executive leadership.
During her tenure with PCA, Hamilton has led corporate teams supporting operational technology, quality systems, capital projects, cybersecurity, and process optimization. She recently transitioned into a Lead I&C Engineering role, overseeing instrumentation and controls for PCA’s highest-value and fastest-paced capital projects.
A tireless advocate for education, mentorship, and Maine’s engineering workforce, Hamilton has maintained deep ties to UMaine through leadership roles with the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation, including service as past chair of its Board of Directors, as well as ongoing involvement with UMaine’s Board of Visitors and College of Engineering.
Ron Roope
Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking & New Hampshire Commercial Banking Team Leader, Bangor Savings Bank
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine Graduate School of Business
Ron Roope is a respected Maine and New Hampshire banking leader whose career reflects the intersection of business, public service, and community impact. As Senior Vice President at Bangor Savings Bank, he brings deep expertise in commercial and business banking, helping regional businesses navigate complex financial needs while supporting growth and stability across Maine and New Hampshire.
Ron joined Bangor Savings Bank in 2005 and has advanced into senior leadership roles through his work building and managing commercial banking relationships. His background as a former business owner informs a practical, client-centered approach focused on long-term partnerships and solutions. In addition, Ron was a Cooperating Faculty member for the Maine Business School for five years teaching undergraduate and graduate level finance classes.His leadership extends beyond banking through service with organizations including the University of Maine Business School Advisory Board, the Katahdin Area Council Boy Scouts Board, and the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire Board. A dedicated University of Maine alumnus, Ron remains connected to the university and exemplifies the values of integrity, leadership, and service.
Mike Adams
Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer & Counsel, Bangor Savings Bank
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine School of Law
Mike Adams is a Vice President, Senior Fiduciary Officer, and Counsel at Bangor Savings Bank, where he provides strategic guidance on trust administration, fiduciary compliance, and wealth management solutions. With a background that spans law, finance, and public service, he works closely with individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations to deliver tailored fiduciary and financial strategies.
Prior to joining Bangor Savings Bank in 2024, Mike was an associate attorney at Preti Flaherty, focusing on real estate and finance. His legal experience also includes roles with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, Unum Group, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, and private practice, giving him a broad understanding of financial and regulatory systems.
A veteran of the Afghanistan War, Mike served six years as a combat engineer with the Maine Army National Guard. Recognized as a Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honoree and a New England Rising Star by Super Lawyers, he brings integrity, discipline, and a multidisciplinary perspective to his work.
Andrew Murry
Audit Manager, Baker Newman Noyes
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine Graduate School of Business
Andrew Murry is a Manager in the assurance practice at Baker Newman Noyes, where he specializes in serving healthcare organizations and nonprofit entities. A MaineMBA alumnus and CPA, Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting, magna cum laude, from the University of Hartford, where he was also a member of the men’s soccer team.
Since joining Baker Newman Noyes as audit staff in 2017, Andrew has steadily advanced within the firm, developing strong technical expertise in assurance services, compliance audits, Uniform Guidance, MAAP audits, and client advisory work. His work reflects a deep commitment to ethical practice, client service, and the evolving role of accounting, where strategy, relationships, and sound judgment are increasingly essential.
Andrew is also dedicated to professional service, mentorship, and community-building. He is active in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants, was recognized as a 2021 Engaging Educator by the Maine Society of CPAs, and serves as Treasurer of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s Northern New England Chapter. Through his work with clients, peers, and current MaineMBA students, Andrew demonstrates the technical excellence, generosity, and professional commitment that distinguish the next generation of Maine accounting professionals.
Kyle Warren
CEO & Co-Founder, Evergreen Additive, Inc.
Alumni affiliation: University of Maine College of Engineering & Computing
Kyle Warren is an engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator in advanced manufacturing. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Maine before building a career at the intersection of composite materials, maritime technology, and large-format additive manufacturing.
After leadership roles with Albany Engineered Composites and Navatek LLC, Kyle returned to UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center as Chief Engineer for Design for Advanced Manufacturing. There, he led groundbreaking work to scale 3D printing technologies for maritime and defense applications, including serving as principal investigator for the world’s largest 3D-printed logistics vessel for the U.S. Department of Defense.
In 2025, Kyle co-founded Evergreen Additive in Brunswick, Maine, where he serves as CEO. The company is focused on bringing proven large-format additive manufacturing technologies from university research into commercial and defense production. Through his technical leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and commitment to innovation, Kyle is helping position Maine as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Nikki Williams
211 Maine Program Director, United Ways of Maine
Alumni affiliation: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service
Nikki Williams is the Program Director for 211 Maine, the state’s 24/7 information and referral service connecting residents with essential health and human services. In this role, she leads strategic program development and advances innovative solutions and partnerships to address emerging community needs.
Over the past decade, Nikki has strengthened 211 Maine’s capacity in emergency preparedness and response, supporting efforts ranging from natural disasters to global public health crises. She played a central role in coordinating 211 Maine’s contributions to the State of Maine’s COVID‑19 response and continues to champion preparedness through her service on the board of Maine Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. She also collaborates with 211 systems nationwide to develop policies and infrastructure that support surge capacity during large‑scale emergencies.
Before joining 211 and the United Ways of Maine, Nikki held several roles within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. As a member of the Senior Management Team in the Office of Aging and Disability Services, she oversaw community‑based Medicaid services for individuals with developmental disabilities or on the Autism Spectrum, including case management, residential and day services, employment supports, crisis services, and waiver programs. In other roles, she contributed to statewide initiatives addressing prenatal substance use and prevention, including efforts to expand access to treatment and develop public health messaging campaigns aimed at reducing stigma around mental health needs.
Nikki holds a Master of Public Health from the Muskie School of Public Service and a bachelor’s degree from Colby College. She is a committed advocate for expanding access to health and social services across Maine. She lives in Central Maine with her husband and their three children.
Mark Skinner
CEO and Founder, Skinner Retirement and Benefits Consulting; Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Daybright Financial
Mark M. Skinner is the founder of Skinner Retirement and Benefits Consulting and Executive Chairman of Daybright Financial, formerly U.S. Retirement & Benefits Partners, which he co-founded in 2007 and led as CEO until January 2023. With decades of experience in retirement and employee benefits, he has helped shape national strategies that use technology, planning tools, and consultative services to support employers, employees, and industry leadership teams.
Earlier in his career, Mark held employee benefits roles with UNUM before joining The Copeland Companies, where he rose from regional leadership to president. He later served as President of the Retirement Services Division of CitiStreet, a Citigroup and State Street joint venture that became the second-largest retirement plan recordkeeper in the United States. Across these roles, he led large national teams serving corporations, public schools, hospitals, municipalities, and other organizations.
A University of Maine alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in business, Mark is also a graduate of the Stanford University Business School Executive Program for Smaller Companies. He has held senior leadership roles in broker-dealer, investment advisory, and mutual fund organizations, and has been recognized for pioneering integrated retirement and benefits solutions through a single-provider model.
Mark remains deeply engaged in education, service, and community impact. He has served as a corporate academy liaison for the National Academy Foundation, participated in Habitat for Humanity rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and continues to support the University of Maine Graduate School of Business as an architect and advisory board member of the Maine MBA Academy.
2025 Award Winners
Melik Peter Khoury, CEO & President, Unity Environmental University
University of Maine, Graduate School of Business, Class of 2001
Dr. Melik Peter Khoury currently serves as the 11th President and CEO of Unity Environmental University, where he has led a bold transformation and made higher education more affordable, flexible, and accessible. Dr. Khoury has reimagined how, where, and to whom environmental science and sustainability education is delivered. Under his leadership, Unity has become a national model for integrating cutting-edge technologies, including AI, into personalized and practical learning experiences for students across the globe.
A first-generation American, Dr. Khoury was born and raised in West Africa and came to the United States to play soccer for the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from UMFK in 1999, his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maine in 2001, and his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Phoenix in 2011.
Dr. Khoury’s career in higher education has included institutions in Maine, New York, Missouri, and Iowa. He joined Unity in 2012 and is a leading expert in institutional transformation, advancing governance reform, operational streamlining, enrollment redesign, and modern digital infrastructure, ensuring long term viability in a disrupted educational landscape. In 2018, he received the AGB John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership in recognition of his work in these areas.
Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, Department of Administrative and Financial Services
University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Class of 2010.
Amanda Rector has served as the Maine State Economist since 2011, providing policymakers, businesses, and people across the state with data and analysis of Maine’s economic and demographic conditions. Amanda has spent over twenty years in public service, joining Maine state government in 2004 as an economic research analyst in the Department of Labor. She earned a BA in Economics from Wellesley College and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.
Amanda is currently the chair of the State of Maine’s Revenue Forecasting Committee and serves as the Governor’s liaison to the U.S. Census Bureau. She holds membership on the advisory board for the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and is the chair of the Board of Visitors at the Muskie School of Public Service. Amanda is originally from mid-coast Maine and now lives in Union with her husband and their two school-aged children.
Ira Waldman, Partner, Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP
University of Maine School of Law, Class of 1976
Ira Waldman is a partner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP in Los Angeles and a nationally recognized leader in real estate and commercial law. Since joining the firm in 1981, he has built a broad practice spanning lending, workouts, entity formation, acquisitions, dispositions, development, and ground leasing.
A 1976 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law, Ira began his legal career at Union Mutual Life Insurance Company in Portland before relocating to Los Angeles. He remains closely connected to Maine Law, serving for many years on the University of Maine School of Law Foundation Board and receiving both the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his professional achievements and support of the institution.
Ira is a past chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Real Property Section and holds key leadership roles in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), including service on its Board of Governors, as co-chair of its Climate Impact Affinity Group, and long-time chair of its Public Policy Forum Working Group. He represents ACREL on the Uniform Law Commission’s Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Real Property Acts and has served as ABA Advisor to several Uniform Law Commission drafting committees.
A prolific speaker and author, Ira has contributed to the California Real Estate Finance Practice and California Commercial Leasing Series, among others, and frequently presents at national forums, including the USC Real Estate Law and Business Forum and ACREL meetings.
His work has earned numerous honors, including the Outstanding Real Estate Lawyer Award from the Los Angeles County Bar Association, repeated Band 1 rankings by Chambers and Partners, recognition as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal, and two-time recipient of Who’s Who Legal’s International Real Estate Lawyer of the Year. In 2024, Ira was honored with Bates College’s Bruce Stangle Award for Distinguished Service and the USC Real Estate Law and Business Forum’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bates College has also recognized him with the Bates Best Award for athletic achievement and induction into its Scholar-Athlete Society.
Trevey Davis, Healthcare Policy and Operations Leader, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation
University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Class of 2016
Trevey Davis is a healthcare policy and operations leader with expertise in value-based payment, population health, and Alternative Payment Models (APMs). He currently serves as a Health Insurance Specialist at the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI), where he works to improve the U.S. healthcare delivery system through the advancement of federal healthcare policy and operations.
Trevey’s career spans leadership roles at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Trinity Health, and UpStream, where he served as Vice President of Government Programs. In that role, he led two Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the ACO REACH Model and spearheaded efforts to reduce health disparities. At Trinity Health, he managed national quality programs and supported operational excellence across hospital and provider networks.
A graduate of the Public Health program at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service, Trevey earned a competitive fellowship at Trinity Health, launching his career in public service. He also holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Mount Allison University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy and Management at George Washington University. His work is driven by a deep commitment to creating a more equitable, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.
Trey Stewart, Senate Republican Minority Leader, Maine State Legislature; Lawyer, Treworgy & Baldacci
University of Maine, Graduate School of Business, Class of 2018
University of Maine School of Law, Class of 2022
Sen. Harold “Trey” Stewart III is serving his fourth term in the Maine Legislature and currently leads the Senate Republican caucus as its unanimously elected leader. He was first elected to the Maine House in 2016 at just 22 years old, later serving as Assistant Republican Leader—the youngest legislative leader in the nation at the time. Since 2020, he has been the youngest member of the Maine Senate and, as of 2022, the youngest caucus leader in the country.
A native of Aroostook County and graduate of Presque Isle High School, Sen. Stewart earned his B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Maine in 2016, where he was also student body president. He went on to complete an MBA in 2018 and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law in 2022, joining the Maine State Bar that same year. He works at Treworgy and Baldacci, a statewide real estate-focused law firm, and owns a small rental property business. He is also a licensed real estate broker.
In the Legislature, Stewart has served on key committees including Education and Cultural Affairs, Taxation, and the Opioid Task Force in the House, and as Ranking Member on Energy, Utilities and Technology; Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services; and Appropriations and Financial Affairs in the Senate. He also serves on the boards of the Aroostook County Action Program, Northern Maine Community College Foundation, and GOPAC, and previously held roles with the UMaine Alumni Association, ALEC, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. Since 2018, he has served on the Maine Development Foundation’s Economic Growth Council.
Beyond politics, Stewart has been a volunteer firefighter in Presque Isle and currently serves as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He is active in his local Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and several civic organizations.
Krystal Williams, Founder, Providentia Group, PLLC
University of Maine School of Law, Class of 2017
Krystal Williams started her legal career as an associate attorney in Pierce Atwood’s energy and environmental law groups after graduating from Maine Law in 2017. In 2020, she joined Bernstein Shur’s energy practice. Later that year, she struck out on her own when she founded Providentia Group, a law firm focused on increasing the diversity and vibrancy of Maine’s business community by providing accessible and strategic legal services to micro- and mid-size organizations.
In 2020 she also founded the Alpha Legal Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to diversify Maine’s legal profession. Earlier this year, Alpha Legal Foundation launched the AmeriCorps Legal Access Navigators Program, a program designed to add capacity to civil legal aid organizations while providing traditionally underrepresented individuals with lower barrier opportunities to enter the legal profession. In 2023, Krystal co-designed Maine Law’s Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate Program. The Certificate provides a path to recognize law students who specialize in public interest and social justice law.
Krystal has served on the board of directors for multiple non-profits. She has served on the board of the ACLU of Maine, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Maine Women’s Lobby Educational Fund, Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, and Maine Boys to Men. She also served as a trustee of the University of New England. She was also the inaugural chairwoman of KinoTek, a rapidly growing startup in Maine. She currently serves as an incorporator for Mascoma Bank.
IKrystal received her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law in 2017. In addition to her J.D., Krystal has an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and BAs in Mathematics and Psychology from Williams College. In 2011, she thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.
David Engle, Serial Entrepreneur and Founder, Do Good Group
David Engle is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a passion for building businesses from the ground up. He co-founded and was CEO of Upright Labs, an e-commerce SaaS platform serving over 4,000 second-hand retailers, fully bootstrapped, and exited to private equity in 2022. Before starting Upright Labs, Engle started Startup Village in partnership with the University of Maryland (UMD) to offer affordable housing to students and alums pursuing their startup endeavors full time. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from UMD’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, with a focus on logistics, materials, and supply chain management. David is a proud Maine resident living in greater Portland and now runs Do Good Group (DoGoodGroup.org), where they invest and buy businesses, with the goal of creating 1,000 jobs in Maine and donating a majority of the profits to the local community.
David is a member of the University of New England’s Board of Trustees and is the lead partner on building a venture studio at the Maine Center, which currently includes 15 entrepreneurs, funders and founders.
