Members of the Board

Sally L. Bélanger, CFSP

Former RN, currently licensed mortician in the State of Maryland; former Executive Director Maryland and Delaware Funeral Directors Assoc.; presently Executive Director Maine Funeral Directors Assoc. and Maine’s Policy Board Representative to the NFDA Policy Board. Also a member of the National Funeral Directors Assoc.

Wayne Hanson

Born in Concord, NH but moved to Maine in the third grade, so Maine is home. Graduated from Bangor HS and received a BS in Education at the University of Maine Orono. After 7 years of ROTC during high school and college received 2nd Lt Commission in the US Army, Military Police Corps. Served in the Army from 1967-1971 with assignments in Alaska, Viet Nam and Alabama. Rose to rank of Captain before leaving service. Received two Bronze Stars for service and achievement in Viet Nam.

After military obligation was a criminal investigator with the Office of Inspector General, US Dept. of Agriculture in GA, NC, NY and DC. Transferred after 10 years to be a criminal investigator in DC with the US Dept. of Labor, where he spent 20 years until mandatory retirement in 2002. Is married and has two grown children.

Maj. Wayne Merritt

Married with six children, foster parent to three children. Served in the US Air Force during the Viet Nam war. Presently a Major with the Civil Air Patrol, Director of Maine Wing CAP Emergency Services, Deputy Director of Cadets ME. 75th Squardron, and Co-Director and Board Member of Wreaths Across America.

Maj. Dennis Murray, Commander

Current Commander Maine 76th Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol. Also volunteers his time with the Maine Wing Public Affairs Office, Northeast Region Newsletter, Co-Director and Board Member of Wreaths Across America. Previous vice-president of Insureteck, Inc., Summit Consulting, Florida Foliate Association and W.R. Grace & Co. Resides in Baileyville, ME with spouse and they have two children.

John O'Leary

Born in Bangor, ME and raised in CT, John moved back to Maine in 1986.Currently living in Norway, ME with his wife of 18 years Rhoda(Bunny). he has two stepsons in the Air National Guard and one grandson. John served in the Air Force from 1971-1974. He worked as an electrician since moving back to Maine and in 2003 retired due to an injury. He is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders since 2006 and is currently ride Captain for Oxford County. He is also the Patriot Guard Ride Captain for the Wreaths Across America Escort to the Arlington project.

Joe Tibbetts - State Representative from Columbia, ME

Joe Tibbetts was born in Columbia Falls, ME After high school he entered the Army and later became a police office for the Old Town police department. After his service with Old Town, he became a Maine State Trooper. After retiring from the state police he ran successfully for the Sheriff’s office in Washington County. Joe left the sheriff's office and was elected to the Maine Legislature where he serves today as Representative from Columbia. Joe resides in Columbia with his wife Sharon.

Larry Ross - Mary Chase Smith School

Larry is a teacher at Margaret Chase Smith School in Skowhegan, Maine, is an experienced motivator, his expertise is in education, annually he takes his students (recognized by their distinctive Red Hats) to Arlington National Cemetery reinforcing the organization’s mission, “teach our children that our freedoms are purchased at a great cost” He will be able to provide the organization with expertise in the field of education.

Ron Sailor - Maine State Adjutant for the American Legion

Born in Orono, Maine. Graduated George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill. Received B.S. in accounting from Husson College in 1968. Briefly worked for Great Northern Paper Company and the IRS before becoming full-time with the Maine Air National Guard in Bangor. Many positions with the MeANG including Comptroller, Master Navigator before retiring in 1995 as Chief of Staff for the Adjutant General in Augusta with the rank of Colonel. Currently serving as the Department Adjutant (full-time administrator) for The American Legion in Maine since 1999 representing 26,000 legionnaires in 172 posts throughout the state. Married since 1967 with two children and five grandchildren.

Pamela W. Slaven, MSN, FNP-C

Received baccalureate and masters degree from the University of Maine. Presently a primary care practitioner in Machias, Maine certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Recently completed course work necessary for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) at the prestigious Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Currently conducting a research study on emotional distress and health risk behaviors in the mothers of servicemen deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Captain John E. Williams
US Coast Guard, Retired

Grew up in Guilford, ME, graduated from Piscataquis Community HS and University of Maine Orono. Has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science. Joined the Coast Guard in 1965 and graduated from Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA and holds a Masters of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY, NY. Attended Officer Candidate School in Yorktown where he was commissioned an Ensign and first assigned to the USCG Cutter Acushnet in Portland, ME. Later as the Executive Officer of the USCGC Point Gammon he patrolled the Mekong Delta and earned the Combat Action Ribbon. After returning from Vietnam he served in many locations including South Portland, ME; Boston, MA; New Bedford, MA; Rockland, ME; Cape May, NJ; Washington, DC and finished his career in 1990 being responsible for Coast Guard operations from Port Clyde to the Canadian border.

Has remained actively retired as a Mason, in Scottish Rite and as a Shriner. Also involved in the VFW, National VFW POW/MIA and American Legion. Life member of Military Order of Cooties and National Rifle Association. Presently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Wreaths Across America. He and his wife reside in Columbia Falls, ME and have one son.

Sir Stanley Wojtusik

National President of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, it was Sir Stanley's tireless efforts that paved the way for Battle of the Bulge veterans to be honored. Just recently he spear-headed the efforts which led to the veteran’s monument now erected at Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington memorial is among at least a half-dozen Wojtusik has played a role in putting up since 1994, from Valley Forge to Cape Cod to coastal Virginia, the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., three in Massachusetts, as well as monuments at Fort Monroe, Va., and Fort Meade, Md. He has spent thousands of hours promoting the recognition of American Veterans.

In a prestigious position for a foreigner, Sir Stanley was knighted with the Medal of Knight in the Order of Leopold by GUY VERHOFSTADT, Prime Minister of Belgium. And in a second ceremony, Sir Stanley was conferred the Medal of Knight in the Order of the Oak Crown, by HER EXCELLENCY OCTAVIE MODERT, Secretary of State for Culture of Luxembourg.

Sarah J. Worcester

Received Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (cum laude) from Husson College. Currently working on Masters degree of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport. Formerly owned and ran own lobster fishing boat and is presently lobster fishing part-time. Happily married for three years, and has recently given birth to beautiful baby girl. Volunteers at the Women’s Health Resource Library in Milbridge, Maine.

Renee Saunders Worcester

Graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1999, attended the University of Maine at Farmington from 1999-2000. Transferred to Eastern Maine Technical College in 2000 and granted in 2002 with an Associates Degree in Medical Transcription. Previously employed at Down East Community Hospital and Arnold Memorial Medical Center. Coached varsity girl’s soccer at Narraguagus High School from 2005-2007. Currently employed as the shipping manager at Worcester Wreath.

Professional Positions

Immediately upon the creation of Wreaths Across America (501-C3 status - EIN 20-8362270) in 2007, Karen Dow Worcester was chosen for the position of Executive Director by the Board of Directors. With over 35 years experience in the administrative stewardship of the various Worcester family enterprises, Karen is well known as a passionate champion and spokesperson for a good cause. As a co-founder of the Wreaths Across America‰ project, Karen tenaciously works on ways the organization can best Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and Teach our children that our freedoms are purchased at a great cost.

Equally passionate about her family, Karen is mother to six children and two grand children. Her favorite hobby is the participation and preparation for equestrian events, where several of her riders have competed at the State Championship-level.

Robert N. Brown, Jr., CPA, CFE
The CPA Solution, Bangor ME

Former Chief Financial Officer with 14+ years of hands on experience and managerial responsibility. Background includes in depth knowledge and experience with GAAP, GASB, financial and strategic planning, budgeting, cash management, financial analysis and control, auditing, human resources, plant maintenance and operations. Education includes BS in Public Accounting from Husson College with 40 plus hours of continuing education each year. Member of the American Institute of CPAs, Maine Society of CPAs and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Charles E. Gilbert, III, Esq.

Has a BA from Harvard College and a JD from Boston College of Law School. Was law clerk to Justice David A. Nichols, Maine Supreme Court 1977-78. In private practice in Bangor, ME since 1978; currently managing partner of Gilbert & Greif, PA. Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and American Board of Trial Advocacy.

In addition to an active trial and general practice, has been involved in complex corporate, real estate and finance matters including purchase of two privately owned commercial landfills; sale of Northeast’s largest bark mulch facility; purchase of Bangor’s #1 radio station; acquisition of biomass power plant; purchase of thousands of acres of land in Washington County, ME; and sale and financing of oceanfront land with over one mile of shore frontage. Also works with several non-profit corporations including beneficial projects for the elderly.

He and wife, Peggy, live in Dixmont and have six children and five grandchildren.