Board Members & Officers (Bios Below)

Connor Archer

Founder & Chairman/CEO

Board Member Since 2020

Jessica Fine

Board Secretary

Board Member Since 2017

Heather Martin

Events Chair

Board Member Since 2019

Steve Villett

Board Treasurer

Board Member Since 2018

Jessica Archer

Vice Chair

Board Member Since 2016

Gary Greene

Board Member

Board Member Since 2018

Mathy Terrill

Board Member

Board Member Since 2019

Mike Archer

Board Member

Board Member Since 2016

Meredith Lunny

Board Member

Board Member Since 2018

Karen Thibault

Board Member

Board Member Since 2016

Specific Board Member Bios

Jessica Archer

Jessica Archer is a middle school teacher at Orono Middle School where she has been teaching since 2000. She teaches 7th grade science and math along with 6th grade language arts. In addition to her teaching, she is the lead teacher for her school's intervention team as well as the school newspaper's advisor. Jessica also serves as one of the middle school's lead curriculum teachers. 

Jessica , who is currently serving as our board vice chair, and served as one of the founding board members, earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in science. She earned her Master's Degree in Special Education in 2009 and her second graduate degree, a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Special Education and Literacy in 2013. 

The pride she has in her teaching role at Orono Middle School comes second only to the pride she has in being a key teacher to her four children: Cameron, Connor, Colby and Cathryn; by far her favorite students!

In her free time, Jessica enjoys working out, baking, gardening and photography. 

Michael Archer

Michael Archer has been in education as a teacher and administrator for the past 26 years at Bucksport High School and now at Orono High School where he has been since 2001.

He is in his sixteenth year as the athletic administrator at Orono High School where he also taught physical education and health during that time.

He is currently finishing his term as President of the MIAAA which is the state's association for athletic administrators.  

Mike resides in Stillwater with his wife and board member Jessica Archer.  They have three other children besides Connor. They are Cameron, Colby, and Cathryn.

Jessica Fine

Jessica Fine is the mother of two boys, of which one has High Functioning Autism.  She grew up in Texas, where she graduated from Harmony High School and went on to study education at ETBU and nursing at TJC.  She married the love of her life, Matthew, in 2001 and moved to Maine in 2005. Jessica, her husband, and sons (Thaddeus and Quentin) currently reside in Old Town.  Her previous employment includes assisting people with disabilities to find and keep meaningful employment. She is currently a substitute teacher and ed tech at Asa Adams Elementary during the school year, and whatever her boys need her to be in the summer.  When asked why she is committed to The Courageous Steps Project, she will gladly let you know that Connor Archer is not only an inspiration and great mentor for her sons but also an asset to the Autism community through his outreach and genuine altruism.  Jessica enjoys hiking, crafting, photography, spending quality time with her family, and last but not least, raising Autism awareness and acceptance.

Gary Greene

Gary Greene joined the Courageous Steps volunteering team in early 2018, and joined our board of directors in October of 2018. Gary serves not only on our board, but also runs our Step Forward initiative & events with his wife Robyn Greene. Gary is a Performance Coach at R-N-G Optimal Performance Group, Bangor, ME. He also has a BS WVU 1974 Public Relations/Corporate Communication. Gary is also a certified BrainSpotting Practitioner, and Certified Life Coach. 

Meredith Lunny

Meredith was born and raised in Millinocket.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maine and an Associate’s Degree from Southern Maine Community College.  She has been working for the University of Maine System for the past 13 years.  She is a member of the Classified Employees Advisory Council (CEAC) and the University of Maine Child Care Task Force.  Meredith lives in Hampden with her two sons, one of which was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism.  She works tirelessly to be her sons advocate and hopes to be the advocate for others with similar needs and disabilities.  Meredith started with The Courageous Steps Project as a volunteer and has been dedicated to helping others in need.  She hopes to continue with The Courageous Steps Project and spread the word that we are not alone on this Autism journey and there are resources and a community of folks available to help you along the way.

Heather Martin

Heather Martin joined The Courageous Steps Project’s volunteering team in late 2017. Heather currently sits on our walk-run committee, and helps with other programs of the organization. She has been teaching for 19 years.  She always enjoy watching children learn and grow.  "I love volunteering with the Courageous Steps Project as it helps,  teaches and provides tools to area students on how to face day to day obstacles."

Mathy Terrill

Mathy M. Terrill joined The Courageous Steps Project's Board of Directors in October of 2019. She is originally from New York but has lived in Maine since 1997.  She has been in education for 16 years and currently works at Orono High School as a Social Studies teacher, and is an assistant coach on their Cross Country team.  Mathy is married to Barry Terrill, they have 2 children Delaney and Griffin and reside in Old Town.  

Karen Thibault

Steve Villett

Karen R. Thibault is the Executive Director at River Village Child and Family Center, as well as the head teacher in the classroom at the River Village Nursery School, in Milford. She is a member of NAEYC and its affiliate MaineAEYC. She graduated in 1985 from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Early Childhood-Family Relations. Karen raised her daughters, who also graduated from Old Town High School. Karen resides in Old Town with her husband, where they've celebrated 31 years of marriage. 

Steve was born and raised in the Boston suburb of Salem, Massachusetts.  He spent over twenty years as a mortgage lender and financial institution leader in the banking industry.  In 2007, Steve shifted his career to his passion in the higher education field.  He has worked in many areas of higher education and became a Senior Executive with the culinary arts school, Le Cordon Bleu, in Boston.  In 2016, he moved to Bangor, Maine and became the Chief Operating Officer and Provost of Beal College.  As a College leader, he continuously works within the College to provide academic and classroom accommodations and/or modifications to ensure students with learning disabilities can be successful in the college setting.   Steve has experienced first-hand the challenges associated with learning disabilities.  One of his children were diagnosed at a very young age with learning disabilities.  He became a tireless advocate and support for his child’s education.  
Steve graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from North Adams State College and an M.B.A. from Endicott College. He resides in Hampden with his family and two dogs.