About the Steering Committee
FUSION: Bangor is governed by a volunteer Steering Committee. Members are made up of involved residents from the Greater Bangor region who represent a range of local businesses, industries, and interests. The committee works together to support FUSION’s mission of connecting, developing, and engaging rising professionals throughout the Bangor region.
Zack haynes (CHAIR)
KeyBank
Zack has been a member of Fusion since 2022. Since graduating from the University of Maine, he has spent nearly 10 years in various roles in the banking sector. Currently, Zack is a Branch Manager at KeyBank in Bangor, where he helps ensure that our communities and businesses thrive. He also owns a restaurant, Charlie’s Seafood Market, in Lincoln. A Bangor native, Zack currently resides in Hampden with his husband Cody and their four cats.
Outside the office, you may catch Zack at one of his favorite local spots, namely Paddy Murphy’s, Mason’s, or Timber. You can also catch him walking the trails of the Bangor City Forest on a sunny day. He enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading.
Zack joined Fusion to get more involved in his community. He started out on the Events subcommittee, on which he still sits. He joined the Steering Committee in 2023 and enjoys being a part of Fusion’s mission to make the Bangor area Maine’s preferred place to live, work, and play.
One of Zack’s favorite quotes is “Things do not happen- things are made to happen.” -JFK
paul berube (vice chair)
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Paul has been a member of FUSION since 2022. Paul works as Mortgage Loan Officer, at the Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, located on Broadway in Bangor.
Paul fills his time with many hobbies such as reading and spending time with friends and family. Paul has an 8-year-old pug, that runs the house. Paul’s favorite place to eat is Blaze - where else can you get such amazing pizza, mac and cheese, and be surrounded by great company?
Paul joined FUSION for the ability to network and connect with like-minded folks and also to promote Bangor all of the fantastic things that happen around the city.
Paul’s motto? “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho
maria lafrance (past chair)
Cross Insurance
Maria has been a part of Fusion since 2023. She currently works at Cross Insurance Agency here in Bangor as a Legal Department Coordinator, where she gets to work with the executives and attorneys to help keep Cross running!
Outside of work, Maria’s hobbies include exercising, cooking, reading, watching the latest hit tv show or movie, enjoying the summer concerts and of course, spending time with family and friends. She lives with her husband and their three pets: Murray, Marble, and Sly. When grabbing a bite to eat, you might find her at Miguels, Nest, or Masons.
Maria was drawn to FUSION because of the people, and how much they do for the Bangor community. She loves volunteering and giving back, and knows that FUSION is extremely generous when doing so for our area and its rising professionals. She joined FUSION to help others grow to love the Bangor area as much as she does!
Maria’s favorite quote is from Malala Yousafzai: “Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow’s reality.”
