Former House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) at a Press Conference at Deering Oaks Park, Portland in Support of Governor Mills Last Year.

Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the first woman Governor of Maine, annnounced she has appointed Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, as Senior Advisor for Community Development and Strategic Initiative in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.  He will work on developing innovative policy solutions in areas such as housing development and land use, as well as workforce, innovation and economic opportunities according to a press release issued today by Ben Goodman of the  Governor’s office.

Governor Mills also announced that Elizabeth Gattine, of Westbrook, an expert in policy and programmaing for older adults at the national, state and local levels, has been appointed coordinator of the Governor’s Cabinet on Aging.

Created by Executive Order in June 2022, the Cabinet brings together state government agencies to hep Maine prepare for and address demographic changes by advancing policies that support Maine people in aging safely, affordably and in ways and settings that best serve their needs.

The Cabinet is led by the Commissioner of Health & Human Services and Labor.  It is housed within the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.

“As the oledst state in the nation by median age, Maine has an increasing need for aging-related services and policies to support Maine people and families,” said Elizabeth Gattine. “I look forward to supporting the governor’s Cabinet on Aging to create meaningful partnerships, priorities and innovations that ensure older adults in Maine are engaged, feel valued and have equitable opportunities to thrive in communities of their choice.” Formerly, Gattine was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Catherine Cutler INstitute, part of the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.