Executive Committee Members

Hilary Fleming, President

Hilary worked for 13 years in hospital nursing in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Maine with focus in the Emergency Department and Operating Room services. She began her career in Maine State Government in 1978. She worked for 24 years in different positions within the Department of Human Services. Some of the positions she held in DHS were: Nurse Consultant for the Medicaid Program (now called MaineCare), Director of Claims Processing, and Assistant Bureau Director in the Bureau of Medical Services; Director of Medical Review Team, Management Information Systems, and Quality Assurance in the Bureau of Family Independence. She retired from state service in 2002 and joined MAR at her retirement celebration. Shortly after retiring, she and her husband Tom traveled to visit friends and family from Maine to Arizona, via Louisiana. She is currently the Treasurer for the Town of Freedom, and has performed as 2^nd Vice President on MAR’s Executive Committee for the last 2 years.

Wayne H. Ross, 1^st Vice President

Wayne H. Ross was "voted in" as 1^st Vice President on the Maine Association of Retirees Executive Committee at the May 2012 Annual Meeting in Augusta, ME. The appointment became effective July 1, 2012, and is for a two year term, ending June 30, 2014. Wayne previously served as Member-at-Large.

Wayne lives in South Portland. He is an Aroostook County, Maine native. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Business and Economics, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine, Orono, ME. He served as President of Southern Maine Community College for twenty-one years. He met his wife, Betsy, at Orono, ME. He has two children, and three grandchildren. He is an avid volunteer and serves on the Boards of many charitable and civic organizations.

Prior to his appointment to SMTC (now SMCC), Wayne held the following positions:

• Director of the Division of Finance, State of Maine Department of Education and Cultural Services (1977 - 1979)
• Director of State of Maine Division of Higher Education (1970 – 1977)
• Executive Director of the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission (1968 – 1970) and Statewide Planning Cooperation and Development
• Vice-President for Financial Administration: private industry (1959 – 1968)
• Acting Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Vocational Education, State of Maine (January to June 1984)

Wayne has held several positions on educational and community boards, including:

• Past President of the Greater Portland Alliance of Colleges and Universities
• Past President of the Higher Education Council of Maine
• Past President of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce
• Participant in the Institute for Civic Leadership of the UNUM Foundation
• Recently elected as Trustee of the Portland Water District

Dick Thompson, 2^nd Vice President

Dick began his state government career in 1971 as a duplicator operator in the Division of Purchases in the Department of Finance and Administration, serving in various roles throughout his career including Director of the Division of Purchases for over a dozen years and seven years as Maine’s Chief Information Officer, responsible for information technology in the Executive Branch. Dick retired from State service in 2010 after 34 years of service. He has been active in town activities in Palermo and moderates town meetings for a number of towns. He currently serves as a director on the Maine State Credit Union Board and has returned to public service at the University of Maine System. He is new to the MAR Executive Committee and looks forward to his new role.

Barbara VanBurgel, Secretary

Barbara J. Van Burgel is a Mainer, by choice, after completing two Bachelor of Science degrees in 1976, from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. Ms. Van Burgel started her professional career as a Chemistry and Human Physiology teacher in Madawaska, Maine. She started her state employment as a Welfare, Employment, Education and Training (WEET) Specialist, Department of Human Services, in Presque Isle, Maine.

Her career in State employment was from 1983 to 2011, in the Department of Health and Human Services (prior Department of Human Services). She held the positions of, WEET Specialist, Program Developer, Program Manager, Deputy Bureau Director and Office Director. Throughout her career, Ms. Van Burgel was committed to providing State employees opportunities for growth and advancement. Under her guidance and support, Standardized Eligibility and Standardized Support Enforcement Agent Training programs were developed and implemented to ensure front-line staff received the instruction necessary to be proficient at their positions. To assist in skill development and advancement, she also supported the development and implementation of Supervisory and Management Development Training programs for front-line supervisors and mid-management in the Office of Family Independence (formerly Bureau of Family Independence).

During her employment, Ms. Van Burgel was recognized for her performance through awards from a variety of organizations and individuals, such as:

• Maine Displaced Homemakers Program-Appreciation Award
• Coastal Enterprises, Inc.-Certificate of Appreciation for development of economic opportunities for Mainers
• Department of Human Services Commissioner’s award for Meritorious Service-1994
• Exemplary Service Award from Commissioner Kevin W. Cocannon,DHS
• Notice of Appreciation from Governor John. R. McKernan, Jr.
• Employee Service Award from Governor Angus S. King, Jr.
• Governor’s Teamwork Award from Governor Angus S. King, Jr.
• Outstanding Achievement Award from Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

Since retirement, in November 2011, Ms. Van Burgel has traveled to Arizona, Michigan, and Maine from south to north visiting family and friends. When she has been at her home in Mercer, she completed hand sewn quilts for special occasions, assisted in community events, volunteered at Mercer Town Office and enjoys gardening and yard maintenance.

Judy Carleton, Treasurer

Judy has been re-elected to her second term as Association Treasurer. Judy is a native Mainer and currently lives in Augusta, ME. Her career in public service began in 1970 as a secretary with Southern Kennebec Valley Regional Planning Commission. She spent 10 ½ years there and the last 3 years as administrator. From 1981 to 1984 she worked at the Maine State Housing Authority as executive assistant. The last year was spent assisting the Director in setting up the newly created F.A.M.E. office. She then went to work for Augusta Adult & Community Education and retired in 2004 after 20 wonderful years as Business/Office Manager. She received the John B. Forster Award for dedication and commitment to students and staff and the Distinguished Service Award from the Maine Adult Education Association. Judy served on Augusta’s Planning Board from 1974 to 1987. She also was appointed to the Augusta Sanitary District Board of Commissioners from 1998 to 2003. In her leisure time, Judy enjoys quilting, gardening, taking day trips with her husband Don, and attending her grandson’s sports events.

Robert Powers, Member-at-Large

Robert Powers was raised in Georgetown, ME, where he lobstered in order to pay his way through college.

He spent his entire professional career in education as a Teacher, Principal, Curriculum Director, and Adjunct College Professor.

He, and his late wife, raised two children who blessed them with three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His interests include reading, golf, travel and local government.

Peter Ezzy, Past President

Peter served as President of the Maine Association of Retirees from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012.

Peter Ezzy lives in Augusta, Maine. He is a Van Buren, Maine native, graduate of the University of Maine, Orono, and served during the Vietnam Conflict in the USAF. He worked in state government in Augusta and retired after 33+ years of service in positions related to health research, planning, and program management. He also worked concurrently as a reserve officer with the Maine Emergency Management Agency operations center in Augusta. He is also a past member of the Maine Teachers Association.

Prior volunteer service and experience with MAR includes serving on the by-laws committee, and as immediate past 1st Vice-President. Primary areas of interest include: health benefits for retirees; consumer advocacy; and educational programs for the benefit of retirees. He is also active in the Maine Senior College system and continues to work towards improving the linkages between MAR members and the various Senior College Programs available to members throughout the State of Maine.

John D. Wakefield, Legislative & Financial Program Manager (non-voting member)

John is responsible for MAR’s financial and accounting activities, and for the legislative program (including drafting legislation, testifying before legislative committees, attending work sessions, and tracking bills that affect public retirees). John has been employed at MAR since 1998. Prior to his employment with MAR, he was employed in the Maine Legislature as the Director of the Office of Fiscal and Program Review. John also worked 8 years as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Services and 6 years as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Corrections. John lives in Livermore, ME with his wife Nancy, and has served as Selectperson of his town for the past 8 years

Florence H. Johnson, Executive Director (non-voting member)

Flo is also a native Mainer, born in Hartland and raised around the Central Maine area. She currently lives in beautiful Rockland, ME. She graduated from Cony High School in Augusta, ME. She joined the US Army in 1974, served proudly throughout the US and Germany (2 tours), and returned to civilian life in 1983. She now has two grown children, Rachel and Wade. Flo has a BS degree in Business Administration from University of Maine at Augusta, and has completed 27 semester hours in Master degree programs from Husson College and University of Maine. She as held positions as Administrative Claims Examiner at the Veterans Administration; District Sales Manager at Central Maine Newspapers (KJ); Senior Personnel Analyst with Bureau of Human Resources, State of Maine; and Human Resources Director at Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation. Flo has received certification and has volunteered time as a Crisis Counselor, Group Facilitator, and Mediator. She was hired as MAR’s Executive Director in June of 2003.