As a proud graduate of community college and an immigrant, Rosa’s educational journey inspires her commitment to expanding educational opportunities. This aligns closely with the mission of The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, where she brings her knowledge of financial expertise and nonprofit leadership to support expanding access to quality education across Maine. She holds a BBA in Finance and is pursuing an MBA with an accounting concentration to enhance her skills in financial strategy and leadership.

Bob Montgomery-Rice is Chief Executive Officer of Bangor Savings Bank, as well as the President of the Bank’s holding company, Bangor Bancorp, MHC. Bangor Savings Bank is a deeply trusted, mutually-held financial institution with more than $7 billion in assets and more than 70 locations across Northern New England.
Under Bob’s visionary and bold leadership, the Bank has transformed into a nationally and regionally recognized financial institution for its modernized and pioneering approach to the digital payments ecosystem, customer experience, corporate culture, and more. While doubling the Bank’s asset size and vastly expanding its geographic footprint under his leadership, Bob is committed to building for long-term success. He drives success through diversified revenue streams, strategic acquisitions, and leading with the organization’s mission of ensuring employees, customers, and communities thrive.
In addition to being a founding board member of IncumbentFI, Inc., Bob carries over his commitment to community by currently serving in various Board and advisory capacities, including the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Board, LifeFlight Foundation Board, Maine Community College Foundation Board, and Maine Public Board. Bob has also previously served on the Maine Bankers Association Board, United Way of Eastern Maine Board, Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI), and on the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee as Co-Chair of the Innovation and Tourism subcommittees.

Governor McKernan currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Management and Training Corporation and of the American Action Forum (a Washington, D.C. policy institute). He served for two terms in the United States Congress from 1983 to 1987 and then as Maine’s 71st Governor for two four-year terms from 1987 to 1995.

During his two terms as Governor of Maine, Governor McKernan won national recognition for leadership and innovation in education and human resources. He has served as Chairman of the New England Governors Association, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors, the Education Commission of the States, and the National Education Goals Panel and was recognized as an Outstanding Governor by the American Society for Training and Development.

He is also the author of Making the Grade, a book on youth apprenticeship. Governor McKernan is a graduate of Dartmouth College (B.A. ’70) and the University of Maine School of Law (J.D. ’74).

In addition to serving on Board of Directors for The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, David co-chairs of the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA) and the Maine Artificial Intelligence Task Force. He also serves on several boards including the New England Board of Higher Education, the Alfond Scholars Board, and New England Delta Dental. He is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Community Development Advisory Council.

David graduated from John Carroll University and holds a Master of Science in finance from Boston College.

Hope Wiseman joined the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges in 2022 and serves as the Special Assistant to the President. She received her BS in Environmental Studies and BA in Global Studies from the University of New England and is also currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Maine.

John Fitzsimmons has been the President of The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges since 2019. Dr. Fitzsimmons led the effort to establish the Foundation in 2010 to raise funds to help support the seven community colleges and their students. Over its fifteen-year history, the Foundation has raised $147,000,000.

Dr. Fitzsimmons was President of the Maine Community College System (MCCS), from 1990 to 2015.  During that time, enrollment at the System’s seven colleges increased from 3,300 students to 18,200, with an additional 12,000 individuals enrolled in non-credit courses and customized training.  Under his leadership, the community college system played a significant role in enhancing educational opportunities for Mainers and helping businesses find the skilled workers they need to compete and prosper.  

In March 2003, his vision to transition Maine’s technical colleges into full-fledged community colleges won the overwhelming and unprecedented support of the Maine Legislature and Governor John E. Baldacci.  On July 1, 2003, the System officially became Maine’s Community College System, and the MCCS became one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation.

During his presidency, the MCCS received national recognition from the National Alliance of Business and the University of Florida Future’s Assembly, and was a recipient of the David Pierce Organizational Leadership Award from North Carolina State University National Initiative for Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness.  During his tenure, Dr. Fitzsimmons earned several statewide recognition awards, including the Maine State Chamber of Commerce Dirigo Award for his leadership efforts in economic development and the Economic Development Council of Maine’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership and vision in the areas of higher education and workforce development. In 2010, MaineBiz honored him as the Non-Profit Business Leader of the Year, and in 2012, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Maine Hall of Fame in recognition of his significant and enduring contributions to Maine’s economy and its sense of community. In 2014, he was named by Maine Magazine as one of the 50 most influential Maine people shaping our state’s future. In July 2015, the MCCS Board of Trustees confirmed President Emeritus status on Dr. Fitzsimmons for his 25 years of exemplary leadership.

 Dr. Fitzsimmons spent 45 years in higher education and workforce training.  Prior to his presidency, he served as Maine’s Commissioner of Labor under Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. He received numerous national recognitions, including the prestigious National Alliance of Business “State of the Year” award for his innovative programs in human resource development. 

Dr. Fitzsimmons earned his baccalaureate degree from the University of Rhode Island, his masters from the University of Southern Maine ,and his doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.  He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970.  He chaired the veterans group responsible for the building of Maine’s Vietnam Memorial in Augusta.  He has also long been a strong supporter and advocate of youth sports in his home community where he has coached baseball and football for nearly 40 years.

Dr. Fitzsimmons resides in Falmouth, Maine, with his wife, Lynn.  They have two grown sons, JB, who lives in Virginia, and Ryan, who lives in Maine.