Meet our staff
Jack McKay, Executive Director (he/him), is one of the founders of Food AND Medicine, and has been the Director since the beginning in 2001. Jack oversees the day to day operation of the organization, as well as strategic planning, finances, budgeting and FAM's long term sustainability. He was previously a school teacher in New York City, and spent many years as a union organizer and activist. Jack, and his family live in Bangor, where he was born and raised.
Jack has served as President of the Eastern Maine Labor Council for many years, as well as the executive board of the Maine AFL-CIO. Jack is a member of NOLSW, UAW Local 2320.
Melissa Smith, Deputy Director (she/her) has been with Food AND Medicine since 2015, when she was hired as Office Manager. She was promoted to Deputy Director in 2022; her responsibilities include finances, grant management, communications, data management, event planning and other administrative duties. Melissa grew up in New Jersey, but spent summer vacations in Maine since she was a child. She had a 20 year career as a compliance manager in the consumer lending industry in Phoenix, from which she was laid off in a workforce reduction, prior to moving to Maine to be closer to family.
A member of NOLSW, UAW Local 2320, Melissa also serves on UAW's Maine CAP and PAC Councils, and was elected Secretary of the Eastern Maine Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Troy Jackson, Projects Organizer (he/him), joined our staff in 2021 to primarily focus on workers rights and unions; he's been a friend of the organization for many years. A member of three unions, an experienced organizer and fundraiser, Troy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to FAM's team, and we couldn't be more excited to have him on board. He's been a Maine state senator since 2016, and was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as President of the Senate in 2018, and currently serves in that role.
From Troy's website: Troy is a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, who got into politics because he was tired of people with big suits and soft hands in Augusta and Washington making decisions without regard for working families in his community and all across the state.
Johnny Sanchez, Volunteer Coordinator (he/him), joined our staff in 2021. Johnny was born in Albuquerque, NM and grew up on the Ohkay Owingeh reservation in northern New Mexico where he gained a passion for growing food and feeding people. After graduating undergrad from Dartmouth College, he further developed this passion by pursuing a Masters degree in sustainable agriculture from the University of Maine and managing a farm in central Maine before coming to FAM. At FAM, he has utilized these skills to help coordinate the annual Solidarity Harvest as well as outreach to farmers.
Jackson Peck, Community Organizer (he/him), is originally from Newport, Maine. Before joining the organization in November 2022, Jackson worked as a Regional Field Director in Somerset, Kennebec, and Franklin counties for the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. Building relationships and inspiring a sense of community is Jackson's passion, and throughout his life he has always looked for opportunities to bring people together. He hopes to continue that work with Food AND Medicine.
Tamra Benson, Community Organizer (she/her), is originally from Turner, Maine, but currently resides in Orono. Tamra joined our staff in August 2023, and will focus on supporting our network of collective gardens and our Peer Workforce Navigator program, as well as other FAM programs.
Tamra is a graduate of the University of Maine, Orono, and is the founder of the Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund, a community-led nonprofit organization meant to alleviate economic hardships and build a culture of community care at the University. She has also been involved in climate justice work through her involvement with Maine Youth Action, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, and UMaine Climate Action.
Joleen Fagan
Bangor Peer Workforce Navigator
pic and bio coming soon
Brandi McNease
Peer Workforce Navigator
pic and bio coming soon
Steve Santiago
Community Organizer
pic and bio coming soon