Matthew Underwood – Executive Director
Matthew is originally from Western Maine and came to KVCOG in June 2022. He has a background in educational administration with a bachelor’s in history from (U.N.H) master’s in teaching (Drake University) and a master’s in educational administration (U.S.M). Matt has served twenty-four years in the U.S Army and the U.S Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. Matt has experience with environmental issues, regional planning, and operational planning. As the Executive Director at KVCOG he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of KVCOG operations and programs, including long range planning, policy and procedures, market strategies, knowledge of federal and state legislation, annual budget development, and personnel management. Outside of work Matt is an avid PATS fan, enjoys hunting, and spending time with his family and nine-year-old son.
Joel Greenwood – Planning Director
Joel is originally from Manchester, UK and came to Maine in January 2009. He has a background in municipal service, environmental improvement and housing. As the Planning Director at KVCOG he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Community Planning, including assisting with land use issues, comprehensive planning, ordinance writing, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and maintaining and utilizing the GIS system. Outside of work Joel lives with his Wife, 2 dogs, and 2 cats and enjoys working in animal rescue, hiking, and playing and listening to music.
Jessica Cobb - Community Planner
Jessica joined KVCOG in May 2022 as the new Community/Land Use Planner. She previously worked as the head of the Planning and Land Use Department in Southbury, CT and has received a B.S Biological Sciences with a focus on Environmental Science from Central Connecticut State University. She previously worked with the State of Louisiana, Department of Environmental Quality as an Environmental Scientist. As KVCOG’s Community/Land Use Planner, she will be working on Comprehensive Plan updates, drafting new ordinances and regulations, amending existing regulations, and many other planning tasks. Jessica is excited to work with communities in the region and get to know the area. Outside of work, Jessica lives with her husband, dog, and cat in Somerset County. She enjoys hunting, fishing, archery, hiking, gardening, and pretty much any other outdoor activity.
Jessie Cyr – Community and Economic Development Specialist
Jessie moved from Connecticut to Clinton Maine in 2020 and came to KVCOG in August of 2022. Prior to moving to Maine, she worked for over 10 years at the Town of Mansfield as the Planning and Community Development Specialist. In this role she enjoyed all aspects of the Community Development Grant Programs that directly benefited the people within the community that she grew up in. Jessie is excited to be taking on the same role here at KVCOG in her new home region and is looking forward to building relationships with the Towns that she will be assisting. Outside of work Jessie enjoys working in her flower and vegetable gardens, fishing and hunting with her husband and spending time with their two very spoiled dogs and one persnickety cat.
Olivia Kunesh - Environmental Planner
Olivia joined KVCOG in October of 2022 as the new Environmental Planner. She recently graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in Earth and Environmental Science while continuing to pursue her master’s degree online with the University of Maine. Olivia is originally from Central Maine, and she currently resides in Waterville. As KVCOG’s Environmental Planner, she will be working on managing household hazardous waste, textile recovery, recycling/reuse assistance and education, community resilience programs, and many other planning responsibilities. Outside of work, Olivia is an avid hiker, enjoys going to the gym, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
Brandy Sloan - Office Manager
Brandy is a Central Maine native and returns to KVCOG after assisting the Town of Benton for seven years and working in relationship management for Key Bank for 10 years. In her last role with KVCOG, Brandy managed the daily office operations and took lead on loan portfolio client relationships. Brandy returns to the role of Office Manager and Board Liaison to streamline services. Brandy lives in the town of Benton where she is serving in her first term as town Selectperson. She is an avid sports fan, mother of two teens, and gets out to the ocean whenever she can.
Lorra-Lee Snyder – Financial Manager
Lorra-Lee has been with KVCOG since June of 2018. She began her career with a CPA firm in Manchester, NH and gained a wide range of expertise in audits, tax compliances, and financial statement preparation. After moving back to Maine to be near family, she worked at a local firm managing client accounting needs and taxes. At KVCOG, she utilizes her talents to manage our financial and reporting needs. She is responsible for managing the audit, ensuring loan compliance, small business outreach, and much more. Lorra-Lee lives in Madison with her teenage son, 2 dogs, and 3 cats. In the summer, you can spot her driving around in her yellow convertible.
Robyn Stanicki – Community Resilience Coordinator
Robyn has a background in social work, policy, and research methodologies. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Sociology and Social work, and completed Master’s programs in Human Development and Higher Education. Robyn comes to KVCOG from Dartmouth College where she focused on quality improvement in healthcare and coordinated a research study improving healthcare screenings and access to treatment for patients with substance use disorders.
Robyn serves on the working board of the Midcoast Recovery Coalition on program development and has served on the local board of the United Midcoast Charities. Robyn is passionate about social justice and equality and is involved with legislative advocacy for foster care and anti-poverty programs. At KVCOG, Robyn is excited to work with municipalities to explore new resources and solutions to help communities thrive. Living in Unity with her family, Robyn also enjoys an attempt at gardening and her own unfinished craft projects.
President - Eric Dyer, Readfield
Vice President - Anthony Wilson, Winthrop
Secretary - Kathryn Ruth, Pittsfield
Treasurer - William Post, Waterville
Past President and Member - Richard LaBelle, Norridgewock
Member - Lorna Dee Nichols, Belgrade
Member - Julie Richard, Bingham
Member - Michael Watson, Cambridge
Member - Christine Landes, Chelsea
Member - Michelle Flewelling, Fairfield
Member - Terry Berry, Gardiner
Member - Andy Carlton, Gardiner
Member - Justin Poirier, Monmouth
Member - Dana Wrigley, Oakland
Member - Jerry Quirion, Winslow
KVCOG was founded in 1967 as an “unincorporated association” known as the North Kennebec Regional Planning Commission (NKRPC) under Maine law that provided for the formation of regional planning commissions. NKRPC was incorporated as a Maine Nonprofit Corporation in September 1975. KVCOG was incorporated in October 1994 as a Maine Nonprofit Corporation pursuant to enabling legislation.
NKRPC and KVCOG were consolidated and merged in October 1996 with KVCOG being the surviving corporation. KVCOG received its IRS 501(c)(3) charitable designation in June 1998.
KVCOG is a municipal services corporation owned and operated by and for the benefit of its members. KVCOG’s region includes Kennebec, Somerset and western Waldo counties with a population over 180,000. KVCOG is one of seven federally designated Economic Development Districts in Maine and a State designated Regional Planning and Development District.
Mission Statement
KVCOG is a leader for local and regional economic development and planning. We support and expand the capacity of local government within the Kennebec Valley region.
Vision Statement
KVCOG is a valued partner of local and county governments, providing high quality and cost effective professional services to build a resilient local economy. KVCOG maintains and develops capacity to meet the region’s changing needs.
Membership Guide
Learn More About Us
KVCOG is located at 17 Main Street (US Route 201) in Fairfield at the Fairfield – Waterville line across the street from the Huhtamaki / Chinet / Keyes Fiber Plant.
FOR GPS: Use 242 Main St in Fairfield, this will bring you to Huhtamaki and we are right across the street.
Directions from the North (I-95)
Southbound on Interstate 95, take Exit 133, “Fairfield, Skowhegan, Route 201.” Take a right at the end on the ramp onto US Route 201 (Main Street) and proceed approximately 1 mile to the traffic light in downtown Fairfield. Go straight through this light staying on US Route 201 and travel approximately 1.2 miles to the next traffic light. The long, red brick Huhtamaki plant will be on your left. Look for the blue and white KVCOG sign on the right. Take a right at the light; KVCOG is the single story white building directly to your right. Pull into our parking lot on the right.
Directions from the South (I-95)
Northbound on Interstate 95, take Exit 130, “Main St. Waterville.” Take a right at the end of the ramp, go to the second traffic light, and take a left at Hazelwood St.( no sign). Follow Hazelwood/Armory Road through one yellow blinking light to a stop sign. Keep going straight ahead to the traffic light at the intersection with US Route 201 (College Ave.). Take a left onto US Route 201 and go approximately 1 mile to a traffic light. The long, red brick Huhtamaki plant will be on your right. Look for the blue and white KVCOG sign on the left. Take a left at the light. KVCOG is the single story white building directly to your right. Pull into our parking lot on the right.
Contact Us
Hours
Office hours are:
Monday - Thursday
Appointment are recommended
as staff are in and out providing
assistance to the communities they are working in.
You can reach any staff member
Monday-Friday
via the contact information here