Chris Winstead
Board Chair Chris Winstead, serves as Director of Workforce Development for Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC). Chris joined EMCC at the beginning of 2020, providing strategic oversight for the Business and Industry division of EMCC and serving on the President’s Cabinet. The Business and Industry division of EMCC provides workforce training through offering credit and non-credit programs, certificates, and pathways, micro-credentials, and customized training for business partners.
Prior to joining EMCC, Chris served as Executive Director for the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC). PCEDC’s mission is to stimulate long-term sustainable economic development and growth throughout the region. As Executive Director, Chris’ responsibilities included managing economic strategy for the county, providing assistance to communities as the technical advisor on the Community Development Block Grant program, assisting local businesses with resource identification and engagement, and providing grant assistance from initial strategy development to financial management following a successful award.
Before joining PCEDC, Winstead served as District Representative for former Congressman Michael Michaud. During his tenure with the Congressman’s Bangor office, his focus was on business and economic development within the rural communities of Maine, helping to link individuals, businesses, and non-profits with federal, state, and private sector resources.
Winstead’s community involvement includes current board membership on Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC) where he serves as Chair, Grow Smart Maine, the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corp, and Destination Moosehead Lake. Additionally, for the last nine years, Chris served as a fund advisor for the Maine Community Foundation Equity Fund.
Chris and his partner, Jonathan, split their time between Greenville and Bangor and love the outdoors. When not working, you can find Chris skiing, hiking, or biking in Piscataquis County, a region he calls home.