Meet Our Planners

Planning Director - jcobb@kvcog.org

Jess began her planning career in early 2020 as a Planning Administrator, leading a team of four staff members. She joined KVCOG in May 2022 as a Land Use/Community Planner and was promoted to Planning Director in July 2026.

Since joining KVCOG, Jess has managed a wide range of planning projects, including comprehensive plan updates, ordinance development and revisions, land use technical assistance, grant administration, and community planning initiatives. As Planning Director, she oversees the Planning Department by coordinating staff workloads, managing project schedules and contracts, and providing technical guidance and support to the planning team.

Outside of work, Jess enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly training her dogs, hiking, biking, kayaking, and gardening.

Senior Planner - gshaw@kvcog.org

Grainne Shaw joined Kennebec Valley Council of Governments in May of 2023 after working for Sagadahoc County and Androscoggin County Emergency Management Agencies. While with those agencies she focused on natural and climate change related hazards and working with communities to mitigate their effects. Grainne played a role in updating both county's Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans and sat on the Community Resilience Working Group for the Maine Climate Council. Grainne graduated from Unity College in 2016 after studying Conservation Law Enforcement and Parks & Forest Resources with a  focus on Resource Management. Grainne is a beginner beekeeper and lives in Litchfield with her husband, kids, and dog.

Community & Economic Development Planner - jboynton@kvcog.org

Jon Boynton recently started as the Community and Economic Development Planner at KVCOG. He comes to KVCOG with a background in Land Use Planning and economic development. Previously, he worked as the Business Development Specialist at Piscataquis County Economic Development Council in Dover-Foxcroft and as the City Planner for the City of Belfast. Jon grew up in Greenville and developed an interest in development after seeing the changes the community experienced following Scott Paper's departure from the region and how large-scale development can divide a community. In Jon’s free time, he likes to ski, hike and to travel with his partner Chris.   

Community Planner & GIS Specialist - tallen@kvcog.org

Turner started with KVCOG in May of 2025 as a Community & GIS Specialist after graduating from the University of Vermont. Turner works on a variety of planning and GIS projects, including comprehensive plan updates, drafting new ordinances and regulations, data digitization, and other projects intersecting GIS and Planning. Outside of work Turner likes to spend time surfing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and pretty much anything that keeps him outside all seasons.

Community & Land Use Planner- jberman@kvcog.org

Jeannette joined KVCOG as a Community/Land Use Planner after working as a GIS consultant for the Maine Geological Survey and previously as an elementary school teacher for many years. Jeannette brings her strengths in data analysis, research, and visualization, as well as community engagement and outreach to her role at KVCOG where she works on comprehensive plan updates, drafting new ordinances and regulations, amending existing regulations, and many other planning tasks. In her free time, Jeannette plays music, softball, and spends time in her garden.

Community & Land Use Planner- aclark@kvcog.org

Amy recently joined the KVCOG planning team as a Community and Land Use Planner after completing her Master's degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Unity University.  Prior to joining KVCOG she spent nearly a decade working in the legal field where she spent her time as a paralegal and title abstractor, completing legal research, drafting and executing legal documents, and managing administrative projects.  Outside of her professional life, Amy has volunteered on various committees helping non-profit organizations with community outreach and fundraising.   As a Community and Land Use Planner Amy brings her knowledge of community engagement and outreach, data analysis, research skills, and legal knowledge to help communities with drafting and revising ordinances, Comprehensive Plans updates, general land use assistance, and various other planning and community driven initiatives.  In her free time, she likes to spend it outside hiking, kayaking, skiing, and relaxing at the beach with her children.