About Us

History

In January 2002, in response to identified needs in the community, 11 collaborating partners in the Bangor region developed and implemented a plan to offer effective workforce wellness to business members of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce. They recognized that employers need to provide health education and incentives to change unhealthy behaviors and to focus on long-term health improvements that benefit both employees and their companies.

In 2003, the Bangor Region Wellness Council (BRWC), a non-profit affiliate of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, was created by and for the business community to provide leadership, guidance, and support to area businesses to develop or enhance workplace wellness initiatives to help Maine people attain healthier lifestyles.

Read more: History

Staff

Willow M. Sherwood, MS, Executive Director, Wellness Council of Maine

Willow recently began working with the Wellness Council of Maine in 2011.  Prior to coming to WLCME, Willow worked in health promotion and public health for non-profits in Penobscot County.  Her work has included partnering with a variety of settings including workplaces, municipalities and community organizations to promote health and wellness.  She is committed to helping to ensure that Maine is a healthy place for people to achieve their life’s goals.  Willow is incredibly excited for the opportunity to focus her career on workplace wellness to help people make decisions that will impact families, the community and the state. 

Willow received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Vermont and her Master of Science in Human Development from the University of Maine where she focused her studies on the importance of human resources and how work impacts the lives of employees.  She is a distance runner and recent golf convert who enjoys the Maine outdoors and everything that our wonderful state has to offer.  A proud resident of Maine, Willow grew up in the Bangor area and has also lived in Western and Southern Maine.  She and her family live outside Bangor with their dogs and plenty of space to play. 

Executive and Steering Committee Members

Executive Committee

Chair: Rick Lyons, Maine School Administrative District #22

Treasurer: Glenn Mower, Bangor Letter Shop

Dan Dauphinee, Northeastern Log Homes

Mike Bennett, Cianbro Corporation

Ken Huhn, United Cerebral Palsy

John Porter, Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce

Statewide Steering Committee

Chair: Paige Allen, Community Health and Counseling Services

Vice Chair: Mike Bennett, Cianbro Corporation

Mary Brooks, Acadia Benefits

Geoffrey Brown, CIGNA

Mike Burton, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield

Dr. Larry Catlett, Occupational Medical Consulting

Susan Chaar, Concentra Medical Centers

Tom Downing, MMC Lifeline Wellness Program

Roland Guerette, Mercer

Jaime Laliberte, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems

Joyce LaRoche, Maine State Chamber

Maureen LaSalle, St. Joseph's College of Maine

Lynn Lombard, MMG Insurance

Rick Lyons, Maine School Administrative District #22

Bill McPeck, Maine State Government

Glenn Mower, Bangor Letter Shop

John Porter, Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce

Kawika Thompson, University of Maine System

Susan Tufts, L.L. Bean

Jim Ward, Patient Advocates, LLC

Partners of Support

Wellness Council of Maine gratefully acknowledges our 2011 Partners of Support.  

Learn more about becoming a Partner of Support in 2012.

Read more: Partners of Support