Meet the Board of Directors

Jessica Archer

Board Vice Chair

Board Member Since 2016

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

Board Member Since 2016

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

Board Secretary

Board Member Since 2017

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

Board Member Since 2018

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. 

Jay Martin

Board Chair

Board Member Since 2016

Jay is one of five sons raised in Bangor by parents Ann and J. Normand Martin. After graduating from John Bapst High School, Jay worked as a restaurant manager throughout his college years. Upon receiving his BA English degree at the University of Maine, he assisted in franchising and promoting the Coffee News publication across the U.S., then served as Associate Editor for the International Solid State Circuits Society. He served as the chief grant writer, fundraiser, and marketing specialist for Washington Hancock Community Agency and United Cerebral Palsy of Maine. 

In 2011, Jay accepted an appointment to serve Maine’s Secretary of State as the state’s first Small Business Advocate. In Augusta, Jay assisted small businesses across the state with state regulatory concerns, with a focus on resolving enforcement actions. Since 1995, Jay has served a variety of businesses through his consulting service, Write It Right – Profitable Proposals and Promotions. 
Jay served for years as on-site fundraising chairperson for the American Folk Festival. As a neighbor of Connor Archer’s family for 20 years, he has enjoyed the privilege of seeing Connor and his wonderful siblings grow into capable, compassionate and talented people. Involved with Courageous Steps since its beginning, he is honored to play a role in helping to fulfill its mission and vision.

Chip McInnis

Board Member Since 2017

I was born in Milo, Maine in 1971.  Soon after, my family moved to Old Town Where I grew up.  I graduated from Old Town High in 1989 and went on to attend the University of Maine.  I earned an associates degree in Legal Technology and later a bachelors degree in Justice Studies.

I have worked in corrections, was a deputy sheriff, and a reserve police officer.  I presently am the Police Services Supervisor at the University of Maine Police Department.  (18 years now); where I am also a member of the bias response team.

In 1999 I married my wife, Jaime.  We presently live at Pushaw Lake in Old Town.  Our Son, Dylan was the love of our lives.  He lived life to the fullest.  He brought joy and meaning to my life.  Dyl was born in 2002.  A few short years later he was diagnosed with high functioning autism.  My wife and I advocated for him beyond the basic needs.  He was able to overcome every obstacle presented to him.  With interventions he was able to "Mainstream" and was successful in all that he did.  His academic progress was simply put, "incredible".  I am in awe of his abilities to understand certain things most adults would struggle with.  Dyl was amazingly smart with technology and far exceeded his expectations placed upon him.  This carried over to his love of hockey.  While most kids start at such a young age, Dyl began his hockey career later than most but quickly gained the skill to "hold his own" out there on the ice.  He was so passionate about the game and sportsmanship alike.  He went to many hockey camps, and played on many teams.  All along, just wanting to be a friend and teammate. 

After Dylan passed away in 2016, I became more focused on advocacy and became certified through the University of Missouri as an ADA Coordinator. I am also a certified Title IX intermediate investigator.  I am passionate about equal opportunities.

I am honored to be selected as a member for the board of directors for The Courageous Steps Project.  So many incredible opportunities are created by the organization and the efforts coordinated by Connor are a tremendous gift to our communities.

Karen Thibault

Board Member Since 2016

Steve Villett

Board Treasurer

Board Member Since 2018

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.