AFTER LONG TENURE, CEO REYNOLD RAYMOND RETIRES
EAGLE LAKE, Maine (Dec. 31) – There is no other way to put it: When Reynold Raymond took over the realm of NMG, the operation was, as a member of his administrative team describes it, “a mess.” Twenty-seven years later, he leaves behind a vibrant organization adept at meeting the changing social services needs of Aroostook County while adapting to the region’s economic, geographic and demographic challenges.
“Under Reynold’s capable leadership for the past 27 years, NMG has grown and prospered,” said Norman Fournier, President of NMG’s Board of Trustees. “The Agency was very fortunate to have him at the helm for all these years.”
Raymond’s last day with the organization is Tuesday, Jan. 1.
While Fournier credits Raymond’s work ethic, determination and vision for making NMG “a premier Social Service Agency in Aroostook County,” Raymond is quick to credit his team, many of whom have been with him his entire tenure, describing them as a “committed team of determined and compassionate individuals who come together to work relentlessly for a common goal.”
“I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team,” said Raymond in a June 25 letter to his employees. “These are not accomplishments a CEO makes alone. While I look forward to enjoying my retirement, I will miss the consumers, staff and the work at NMG.”
Like Fournier, employees are quick to toss the credit back to Raymond.
“Reynold has been my CEO for a very long time, and his inspirational words of advice will push me to do my best for the rest of my life,” said Wendy Dube, who has worked for NMG for the last 30 years.
Since 1991, Raymond has been responsible for the overall operations of the corporation’s activities which included a long-term care facility; two residential care facilities; up to 10 adult foster waiver homes; personal supports services for persons with developmental disabilities; case management services for children and adults with developmental disabilities; mental health services for children and adults; residential services of persons with brain injury; and an assisted living and supportive employment program. He is licensed as a Multi-Level Long-term Care Administrator.
Raymond has also worked as a town manager of Eagle Lake, a Social Science teacher at Community High School in Fort Kent, and as an English teacher at Ecole Secondaire in Ville-Degelis, Quebec, Canada.
In addition, he has served on the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (Gov. Joseph Brennan appointment), the Finance Authority of Maine Board of Directors (Gov. Angus King appointment), Eagle Lake Development Corporation, Eagle Lake Regional Health Center, Aroostook County Action Program Board of Directors, Eagle Lake Pharmacy Board of Directors, and Eagle Lake Board of Selectmen.
He currently serves on the Ambulance Service Inc.’s Board of Directors, and the Aroostook County Finance Committee.
Lisa Devoe, who has worked for NMG for 35 years, said lightheartedly that, like any good leader, Raymond was sometimes “tough” to work for, but that his heart was always “to better NMG and the people it serves.”
“Now is his time to cherish every moment he spends outside of work,” she said.
Raymond plans to do just that. He said his retirement plans are, simply, to “date my wife.”
“(Reynold) will be missed,” said Fournier. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff, we thank him for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement.”
