Board of Trustees

The administration of Maine Veterans' Homes is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans' Homes. The Governor appoints the Board of Trustees who must be honorably discharged war veterans. The Board of Trustees consists of eleven members, including at least one female member. One member must be appointed from and represent each of the largest veterans' organizations that are nationally chartered and have a department in Maine. Remaining members must be appointed at large.

Representatives of the Public
Stephen E. Nichols served in the Army for 39 years, retiring as a Major General.  General Nichols has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2002.  He is currently Chairman of the MVH Board of Trustees.  General Nichols is affiliated with the American Legion Post 130 and also serves on several state advisory boards and committees.

William J. Flahive, Ph.D., served 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as a Colonel.  Dr. Flahive has been a member of the MVH Board of Trustees since 2001.  He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board.  His veteran service affiliations include the Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, and Armed Forces Benefit Association.  He is past President of the Washington County Community College.

Peter Miesburger served 20 + years in the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant/Fire Protection Crash Rescue Supervisor.  Mr. Miesburger has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 1990 and is currently the Secretary of the Board.  He is a past Commander (1987-1988) of the Department of Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Linda Laweryson served one year in the U.S. Marine Corps as a PFC in Telecommunications Repair.  Mrs. Laweryson has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2002.  She also serves as the Secretary of the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee, a board member of the Hospice for Veterans Affairs, and an original member of the Maine's Commission on Women's Veterans.

Peter W. Ogden served both the active Army and Maine Army National Guard over a span of 28 years.  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Corps of Engineers.  Mr. Ogden served two combat tours in Vietnam and was appointed as the Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services in 2004, when he also began his service on the MVH Board of Trustees.  Mr. Ogden is affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

 
Eric Gleysteen served 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and continues to serve in the Navy Reserve as a Commander in the P-3C squadron VP-92 at Brunswick Naval Air Station.   He has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2007.  He previously served as the Scarborough Liaison.  He is employed at Wright Express in South Portland.

American Legion Representative
Royce A. Knowles served two years in the Army as an E-3. Mr. Knowles has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 1990.  He is affiliated with the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

AMVETS Representative
Kelley D. Wynne served 35 years in the Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant.  Mr. Wynne has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2000.  He also serves as President of the Augusta Area Military Association and is on the boards of the Maine Veterans Cemetery and MVCC.  He is affiliated with the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Association of the U.S. Army.

Disabled American Veterans Representative
Brian T. McNally served three years in the Army, medically retiring as an SP-5.  Mr. McNally has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 1998. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Representative
Arnold Leavitt graduated from Bates College with an AB in Economics.  He served in the Army in MMII with service in European Theater of Operations, was wounded in combat and was a POW.  His decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge.  Mr. Leavitt has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2006.  He also serves on the VA Togus Management Advisory Committee and is one of two Maine representatives to the VA on the New England Network Management Advisory Committee.

Vietnam Veterans of America Representative
Theodore S. Curtis, Jr. served four years active duty in the Pacific and Vietnam 1966-1970, with duties on a destroyer and advising the Vietnamese Navy.  He is a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  He was awarded eight medals including the Bronze Star and is a former Blue and Gold Officer advising applicants to U.S. Naval Academy.  He was the first Vietnam Veteran elected to Maine Legislature and a former State Representative and Senator, a member of Judiciary, Legal Affairs (Chairman), and State Government (Chairman) Committees.  He has served on the MVH Board of Trustees since 2006.  He is a partner in the Orono law firm Curtis and Miller, L.L.P.

Liaison Committee Members
Robert Emery served two years as a Corporal in the U.S. Army.  Mr. Emery has served as MVH - Augusta Liaison since 1997.

Raphael J. Guerrette served three years in the U.S. Navy as a 1st Class Electrician. Mr. Guerrette has served as MVH - Caribou Liaison since the facility opened in 1990.  In addition, he is a member of the Northern Maine Vet Cemetery Committee, Chairman of the Liaison Committee Northern Maine Vet Home and Chairman of the Clinic Board Northern Maine.  He is affiliated with the American Legion.

John G. Kezal served three years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Fireman/Damage Control.  Mr. Kezal has served as MVH - South Paris Liaison since 2001.  He is affiliated with the American Legion, the Elks, the Eagles, and the Coast Guard Cuttermans Club.

Aubrey Carter served 20 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a senior non-commissioned officer in 1982. Mr. Carter has served as MVH - Machias Liaison since its opening in 2005.  He has worked as veterans advocate with the Maine Veterans Services since 1985.  He provides assistance to veterans and their dependents for Washington and Hancock Counties.  He is currently Chairman of the Board for the Machias Board of Selectman.

Paul Neal served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force in the atmospheric research field, retiring as a Master Sergeant.  He has served as the MVH – Scarborough Liaison since 2007.  He is affiliated with the American Legion, serving as past Post, County, and District Commanders, as well as the Disabled American Veterans and Air Force Sergeants Association.

Peter Hickey served three years in the U.S. Army as a stock control and accounting specialist, and served one tour in Vietnam as an 81mm mortar gunner.  Mr. Hickey has served as the MVH – Bangor Liaison since 2007.  He retired from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs as the Education Liaison for New England after 36 years of service.  He currently works as veterans advocate for the Maine Veterans Services, serving Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties, and was recognized by the Maine Army Guard in 2006 for “Extraordinary Dedication and Service” to their soldiers.   He is affiliated with the Veterans of Foreign Affairs.