Staff
Krysta West, Executive Director
Krysta is a University of Maine at Farmington graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Krysta served as the Deputy Director for over three years before her promotion to Executive Director. 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.
Phone: (207) 622-9288 x101
Email: Krysta West
Ellen Parent, Deputy Director
Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law, and a Certificate in Financial Services Compliance from Boston University’s School of Law. Ellen brings experience with lobbying, regulatory advocacy, and rulemaking at both the state and federal levels.
Before joining MFPC, Ellen served as the Director of Compliance at the Maine Credit Union League where she worked on compliance and legislative matters for over six years. While her recent career path has been in banking, her family came to the United States in the early 20th century to work at the Oxford Paper Company Mill in Rumford and she has a deep love for the heritage industries of Maine.
A resident of Augusta, Maine, in her spare time, Ellen coaches high school speech and debate and can otherwise be found puttering in her garden, visiting her niece and nephew in New Hampshire, or by a lake with a good book.
Phone: (207) 622-9288 x102
Email: Ellen Parent
Becky Morrell, Membership and Operations Manager
A recent addition to MFPC, Becky Morrell will help to manage operations, events, and membership outreach at MFPC.
Phone: (207) 622-9288 x100
Email: Becky Morrell
Pat Strauch, Consultant, Director Emeritus
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 and retired in June 2025.
Patrick assists 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
