Staff
Pat Strauch, Executive Director
Patrick Strauch received his B.S. degree in forest management and his master’s in silviculture from the University of Maine. The topic of his master’s thesis was “Early Stand Establishment of Balsam Fir and Red Spruce.” He began his career as a forester for St. Regis Paper Co. and U.S. Gypsum Company in Maine and then moved to manage recycling and trucking companies, becoming a regional vice president of Casella Waste Systems and director of the Sawyer Companies in Bangor.
He returned to the forest industry in 2001 as coordinator of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). In January 2004, he became the executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council.
Patrick leads MFPC’s staff and works closely with the Council’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors and members. In 2014, he received the W.D. Hagenstein Communicators Award from the Society of American Foresters, which recognizes a member “who displays the ability, talent, and skill to lead innovative and exemplary communications initiatives and programs that increase the general public’s understanding of forestry and natural resources at the local, regional, or national level.” Farm Credit of Maine gave him its “Distinguished Service Award” in 2012.
Patrick resides on a farm in Exeter, Maine, with his wife Nancy and their three children.
Phone: (207) 622-9288
Email: Patrick Strauch
Krysta West, Deputy Director
Krysta is a University of Maine at Farmington graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Prior to joining the Council, Krysta worked as a consultant specializing in internal, external and legislative communications for political candidates, PACs, nonprofits and membership organizations. She also worked in Fairfax, Virginia for the political arm of the National Rifle Association, covering legislative matters and elections for half of the country. Krysta also served as an original board member for the political arm of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM-ILA), and has held a number of positions with the Maine Legislature.
When Krysta isn't working, she can be found in her large garden, hunting, fishing or exploring Maine's forests with her family.
As Deputy Director, Krysta assists with MFPC’s legislative and communications efforts.
Phone: (207) 779-6859
Email: Krysta West
Annabelle Kidson, Office Manager
Our most recent addition, Annabelle has moved back to the area after 10+ years in Vermont. After managing an acupuncture clinic for five years and her most recent experience as Supplier Relations Coordinator at the Vermont Wine Merchants Co., she has an array of administrative experience and we’re happy to entrust the care of our office to her. Annabelle is a proud resident of Fairfield, Maine, and is currently taking courses to hone her knowledge of finance within the Forest Industry. In her spare time, you’ll most likely find her at an antique shop or historical village, trudging through backwoods, doing home projects or renovations, or in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
Phone: (207) 622-9288
Email: Annabelle Kidson
Patrick Sirois, Director of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Patrick Sirois grew up in a logging and sawmill family. Upon graduation from the Bath Iron Works Apprenticeship Program
in 1983, he was called back to the woods to begin a logging career that lasted until 1997, when he was recruited to become the first Director of Maine’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
In 2001, he went to work for the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine to assist in the development of the Master Logger Program. In 2004, Patrick re-joined the Council staff to return as the SFI Director.
Patrick and his wife Bethany live in Litchfield, Maine with their three children.
Phone : (207) 622-9288
Email: Pat Sirois
Michele MacLean, Contract Lobbyist
Michele MacLean of Capitol Strategies has lobbied for the Council for nearly two decades. She lives with her two children in Gardiner, Maine.
Phone: (207) 215-9448
Email: Michele MacLean