Board of Visitors

Jonathan Moody, Maine’s 2024 State Superintendent of the Year, is the Superintendent of the Schools for RSU / MSAD 54 in Somerset County. This large rural district includes five elementary schools, the Skowhegan Area Middle School, the Skowhegan Area High School, the Somerset Career and Technical Center, and the Marti Stevens Learning Center. Jon and his wife Shelly (Maine’s 2011 Teacher of the Year, and Elementary Principal in RSU18) are proud alumni of UMF (’98), where they both were scholar-athletes. Jonathan was a 2016 inductee into the UMF Athletics Hall of Fame. Jon and Shelly are active advocates for a strong educational system for students (K-12) and pre-service teachers (post-secondary) statewide. Together they have three children.

Byron “Buzz” Davis is a native of Auburn, Maine who moved to Farmington with his new wife, Taffy, in 1989. They have lived on Titcomb Hill Road for thirty years and have now moved to their home on Clearwater Lake. Davis has owned and operated Riverbend Property Management for 23 years and with his son, Ben, they own and operate 76 housing and 2 commercial rental units at Ten Properties in downtown Farmington. He has also been very active with the Farmington Ski Club, Rotary Club, and Lion’s Club. In his spare time, he enjoys a variety of outdoor sports including skiing and biking.

Shawn Roderick currently works as a Legislative Aide in the Maine State Senate Republican Office, assisting senators from different parts of the state with constituent services work, policy research and stakeholder outreach. Overall, he has 15 years of experience at the Maine State House in various roles. He was elected Assistant Clerk of the House in 2010 by the Maine House of Representatives and Assistant Secretary of the Senate in 2014 by the Maine State Senate. Roderick has also served on the RSU 38 School Board since 2014 and was recently appointed to the Readfield Connectivity Authority. Shawn earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2006. He is a proud graduate of UMF, proud to be a first-generation college graduate, and is a proud alumnus of the Jobs for Maine Graduates program for which he now volunteers. He resides in Readfield, Maine with his wife Emily, a 2008 graduate of UMF, and their children Annalise and Austin.

Mattie Jernigan serves as the Supervising Preschool Teacher at EDUCARE and is also a Board Member at the University of Maine at Farmington. With a background in early childhood education, she is dedicated to fostering learning environments for young children. Mattie graduated in 2019 and has been actively involved in educational initiatives within her community.

Timothy J. Thompson serves as the President and CEO of Franklin Savings Bank, a community bank dedicated to exceptional service. He has been with Franklin Savings Bank since 2000 and has played a significant role in its growth and community engagement. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maine and an MBA from Thomas College.

Steve Hewins is a prominent figure in Maine’s hospitality and tourism sector. He serves as the President/CEO of the Maine Innkeepers Association and has a rich background in the industry, having co-created the Maine Hospitality, Tourism & Retail Recovery Plan during the pandemic, which provided crucial financial aid to struggling operators.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning higher education, state government, and nonprofit leadership, Peter Osborne brings a deep commitment to advancing access, equity, and innovation in education and workforce development. Currently, He led a dynamic team at the Maine Municipal Association, where we plan and deliver 100+ annual training workshops, conferences, and virtual learning experiences to support Maine’s municipal workforce. He is especially passionate about building new training pathways, cultivating strategic partnerships, and developing responsive, member-focused learning initiatives to meet evolving recruitment and retention needs.

Dr. Overall came to the University of Maine at Farmington in January 2007 as a visiting professor. Prior to earning degrees in the field of educational technology, she was teaching computers in her mathematics classroom at The Lamplighter School in Dallas, Texas, the first elementary school in the world to have a computer in every classroom. Theresa served as technology coordinator, helping other teachers successfully utilize technology in their classrooms. Theresa is a part of UMF’s master’s program in Educational Leadership and was co-co-principal investigator on a grand from the National Science Foundation for accessible makerspaces for rural students with and without disabilities.

Monique Poulin has been working in education since her graduation from Boston College in 1989 with a B.A. in economics. She began her career as a French teacher, earned her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. In 2000, Monique moved to Franklin County where she made RSU # 9, her professional home. She has served as an assistant principal, principal, and intern superintendent and transitioned to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Curriculum, and Grants in July 2023. She has partnered with UMF in various professional capacities as a Graduate Council and the Educational Advisory Committee member.

Jason Judd is a prominent educational leader in Maine. He currently serves as the State Director for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, a role he assumed in 2026, where he focuses on strengthening coalitions and advancing justice initiatives. Previously, he was the executive director of Educate Maine, an organization advocating education reform, where he worked since 2016. Judd has a rich background in education, having worked as a teacher, college and career counselor, and dean of academics at Maine Central Institute.

John Slack is a notable geologist based in Farmington, Maine. He has contributed significantly to the field of geology, particularly in mineral identification and responsible mining practices. Slack has been involved in research that focuses on critical minerals, which are essential for various technologies and industries. His work includes examining rock samples using advanced techniques like electron microprobes to identify mineral signatures.

Joshua Bell was born and raised in Farmington. He and his wife, Alicia, are the owners of Northern Lights, a heart and sporting goods business that has operated in Farmington for 50 years. They’re happy that they can raise their three boys in the town they love. Bell comes from a family that has always been involved in the Farmington community. He is honored to be able to serve the Farmington residents on the Select Board and has done so for more than a decade. He strives to make Farmington a place where people can live safely, have a good job, and build a successful future for the next generations.

Cathy Wimett is a prominent figure associated with the University of Maine at Farmington. She serves as a Board Member and has a significant role in supporting the university’s initiatives, particularly in areas related to student success and workforce readiness Wimett has a network of 32 business contacts, indicating her active engagement in professional circles. Her leadership role at the University of Maine at Farmington highlights her commitment to educational advancement and community development.

Saviello earned his B.S. from the University of Tennessee in 1972, his M.S. in Agronomy from the University of Maine in 1974 and his Ph.D. in Forest Resources from the University of Maine in 1978. His professional experience includes working as a Manager for International Paper, forester, associate professor, Manager of Northern Forest Research Center, Manager of Environment of a paper mill and adjunct professor at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Stephan Bunker is a member of the Maine House of Representatives. He represents House District 75, which includes the communities of Chesterville and Farmington. Bunker began his term in December 2024 after winning the general election on November 5, 2024. Stephan Bunker has a background in public safety, having served as a municipal and county police officer. He is also a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. From his service, Stephan is a member of the Roderick-Crosby Post 28 out of Farmington, which he is a past commander.

James Carleton is a well-educated professional from Farmington, Maine. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from the University of Maine at Farmington, earned in 2008. Additionally, he obtained an MBA in Information Security from Saint Leo University in 2018. Recently, he achieved a Master’s Electrical License in Maine in 2024, which he completed through ECPI and Novel Engineering and currently is an electrician at IEC Inc. James Carleton serves as Vice President & CEO of IEC Inc. in Farmington, Maine. He graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. A 10-year Navy Submarine Veteran, James focuses on family, community involvement, and business development. He enjoys volunteering as a youth baseball coach and contributing to the local community. James lives in Farmington with his wife Sara and their twins, Elliot and Audrey.

LeeAnna Lavoie, MPH, is a lifelong resident of Franklin County and a proud graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington, where she earned her degree in Community Health. As a member of the University of Maine at Farmington Board of Visitors, she is honored to give back to the university that helped shape her personal and professional journey. While at UMF, LeeAnna worked at the Fitness and Recreation Center, where she became a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Those experiences sparked a passion for health promotion, prevention, and community wellness that continues to guide her work today. She later earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Southern Maine.

Sarah Reynolds is a proud Farmington native and two-time UMF alumna. She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a mathematics concentration. Her passion for learning led her to continue her education by earning two master’s degrees—most recently in Educational Leadership with an administration concentration from UMF. Over her 22 years in education, Sarah has taught middle school math and science, elementary general education (grades 3-5), and Gifted and Talented education; she currently serves as a K-5 Math Interventionist for RSU 9. As the 2015 Franklin County Teacher of the Year and a Maine Teacher of the Year finalist, Sarah makes bridging the gap between students and their local community a core priority. She lives in Farmington with her family, which has grown to include four children and two grandchildren, and is honored to serve her alma mater on the Board of Visitors.