Orono, Maine — The Board of Directors of Four Directions Development Corporation (FDDC) has unanimously voted to select Matthew Lewis, currently serving as FDDC’s Director of Operations, as its next Executive Director. Matthew will succeed Charlene Virgilio, who is retiring in the fall after leading FDDC through a period of significant growth and strategic achievements.
Matthew first joined FDDC in 2012 as a Business Program Coordinator, serving for a year. After spending over seven years at MaineStream Finance as a Business Advisor and later as the Portfolio and Business Services Manager, he returned to FDDC in October of 2021. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in driving key initiatives as the Director of Operations. His excellence in operational management, along with his passion and commitment to improving economic and social outcomes for the Wabanaki Tribes, make him an excellent choice for this role.
“Under Charlene’s guidance, FDDC achieved remarkable milestones, including doubling capital deployment, increasing total assets, and maintaining strong financial performance; we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Charlene for her exceptional service and wish her a well-deserved retirement. We are pleased to have an internal candidate ready to fill her shoes and confident that Matthew’s leadership will continue to propel FDDC’s mission forward,” said Nichole Francis, President of the Board of Directors.
Lewis stated, “I am excited to be named the Executive Director of this remarkable organization. We offer so many meaningful programs and services to our Native communities. It is an honor to lead this organization and its incredibly talented team with the same passion and dedication that Charlene has demonstrated. I am committed to taking FDDC to the next level of success and increasing its impact in our communities.”
Charlene will assist with the transition and serve as the interim Business Development Director until her retirement in October. Matthew assumes his Executive Director role effective June 3, 2024.