KENNETH SPIRER ELECTED CHAIR OF MaineCF BOARD

Kenneth Spirer of Portland, Maine, has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Maine Community Foundation.

For the past year, Spirer has served as the chair of the committee developing the foundation’s new strategic plan, which starts in 2008, MaineCF’s 25th anniversary. “I’m excited by the opportunities and challenges facing the foundation as we move into our next quarter century,” Spirer said.

Announcing his election, Henry Schmelzer, MaineCF president, praised his commitment. “Ken believes in this foundation and the future of Maine,” he said. “He brings a special set of skills to the table that will enable us to push forward in many areas, including nonprofit effectiveness, education and progressive philanthropy.”

In his professional career, Spirer was a lawyer with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., and first vice president and assistant general counsel with Merrill Lynch in New York City. A graduate of New York University School of Law, he earned a BA from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Business degree from the City University of New York.

Spirer is a founding board member of Common Good Ventures and is a trustee of Maine Audubon and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He was treasurer and past president of the LARK Society for Chamber Music, which supports the Portland String Quartet.

MaineCF board chairs serve two-year terms. Spirer succeeds Robert Woodbury of Harpswell, who will remain on the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Anne Jackson of Yarmouth was elected vice chair of the board. As co-founder of the Board Network, Jackson has extensive experience working with the leadership of Maine nonprofits on strategic planning, board development and fundraising. She is a trustee—and a graduate—of the Institute for Civic Leadership and serves on the board of the Waynflete School.