MTI Staff

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MTI President (non-voting)

Brian Whitney is President of the Maine Technology Institute; Maine’s unique public private partnership that helps catalyze innovation. He has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and legislative matters at both the state and federal level. During his decade-long tenure at MTI, he has overseen the deployment of more than $200 million in funding, commemorated MTI’s 25^th anniversary, and helped generate thousands of jobs, and more than a billion in private sector matching investment and economic impact. He currently serves on the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, Maine & Company, and the Maine Space Corporation.

En tant qu'agent d'investissement, Shane travaille avec des entrepreneurs et des innovateurs tout au long du processus d'investissement et supervise les programmes d'investissement de MTI. Shane travaille chez MTI depuis 2004 à divers titres. Son objectif est de travailler avec des candidats potentiels à la recherche de financement pour aider à ajouter les ressources précieuses nécessaires pour mener des études de marché, élaborer des plans d'affaires et mener des recherches et développements précoces de technologies nouvelles et innovantes.

Shane a aidé des centaines d'entrepreneurs et d'entreprises à divers stades de développement à formuler des stratégies et à se concentrer sur des efforts qui correspondent à la fois aux besoins de l'entreprise et aux programmes offerts par MTI. Vous pouvez le voir dans tout l'État participer à des ateliers parrainés par MTI et des partenaires pour aider à connecter la communauté entrepreneuriale croissante du Maine aux ressources et au financement dont ils ont besoin pour réussir et se développer.

Emily joined the MTI team in 2022. As the Maine Entrepreneurial Resource Corps (MERC) Coordinator, she helps Maine entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with reliable and affordable consulting services. Emily matches the professional consulting needs of start-up companies with qualified businesses across the state and works closely with consultants which provide specific services such as accounting, sales, legal, organizational development, marketing, IT assistance, and more. She manages the MERC program and actively represents MTI throughout the Maine business community. 

Emily is a Maine native and holds a BA in Religion and a BA/MA in Economics (focusing extensively on economic analysis) from the University of Florida. Her desire to study economics stems from her passion for economic development in Maine as well as internationally. She has volunteered in community development projects around the globe, including India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Nepal. Currently she is an ambassador to an economic development NGO, PISC-Nepal, located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Additionally, she worked with USAID to research and develop a gender analysis used to direct gender mainstreaming into USAID/Mongolia’s programming efforts.

In her free time, Emily loves skiing, learning about diverse cultures and traveling to Nepal.

Scott a rejoint MTI en février 2015 et est chargé de travailler avec les sociétés du portefeuille MTI avec des prêts de développement. Scott a plus de 21 ans d'expérience dans les prêts à haut risque et a passé 17 ans dans les prêts commerciaux et le développement économique. Il est titulaire d'un MBA du New Hampshire College et d'un BS en administration des affaires de l'Université du Maine à Machias. Scott vit avec sa femme dans la région de Brunswick.

Celina joined MTI in 2023. Originally from Milo, ME, she has experienced the rural Maine lifestyle. Growing up, her family instilled in her the importance of keeping limited resources sustainable. She is excited to work for an organization that works with local entrepreneurs to assist in stimulating growth and development for many years to come. At MTI, she will be responsible for managing various administrative tasks, coordinating schedules, streamlining processes, fostering effective communications, and facilitating the overall functioning of the office.

After graduating from high school, she worked in manufacturing for several years before she became interested in a post secondary education. While raising her son and working full-time, she attended night classes at Central Maine Community College. After receiving her Associates Degree in Business and Computer Applications, she quickly changed career paths and began working as a medical receptionist.  While gaining experience working in an office environment, she also enrolled at the University of Southern Maine. In May 2016, she graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership and minored in Information Technology.

Celina currently lives in Auburn with her significant other, Randy Herbest, daughter, son, and two fur babies, Waylon and Bella.

Tom Kittredge joined MTI in January of 2020. As a Senior Investment Officer, Tom works closely with innovators across every stage of MTI’s investment processes, including Maine’s startup ecosystem partners. Tom is passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation as drivers of economic development and is deeply interested in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and triple-bottom line models. Tom has an MBA from IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, where he organized two major conferences on entrepreneurship and sustainable business – TechStars Startup Weekend and the Doing Good, Doing Well conference.

Tom a cinq ans d'expérience en tant que spécialiste des comptes au Council on International Education Exchange et est titulaire d'un baccalauréat ès arts en développement international du Sarah Lawrence College de Bronxville, New York. Tom a passé beaucoup de temps à l'étranger, notamment au Kenya, au Brésil, au Pérou, à Cuba et en Espagne.

Tom siège au comité organisateur de Startup Maine et est mentor principal pour le programme Top Gun du Maine Center for Entrepreneur. Il fait partie de Leadership Portland et fait partie de l'équipe de direction du Natural Resource Council of Maine Rising. Lorsqu'il ne travaille pas avec des clients, Tom peut être trouvé en train de faire de la randonnée, du kayak de mer, de la voile et de se perdre dans les bois du Maine.

Bianca joined MTI in January of 2020. She serves as the liaison between MTI staff members and E-Residents. Bianca brings extensive experience in financial services with a focus in relationship management. Previously, Bianca worked for a registered investment adviser and has held positions with fund companies and broker-dealers. Bianca also has experience in sales, marketing and compliance.

Bianca est titulaire d'une maîtrise en administration des affaires du Saint Joseph's College of Maine, d'un baccalauréat ès arts en communication de la Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi et d'un certificat en planification financière de la Bryant University.

En tant que directeur des finances et de l'administration, Greg supervise la plupart des fonctions de back-office quotidiennes de MTI et assume un rôle de direction en tant que chef de l'équipe des finances. Greg a une formation en comptabilité publique et a passé plusieurs années dans des rôles de direction financière dans des entreprises locales du Maine.

Greg est diplômé de l'Université du sud du Maine avec un BS en comptabilité et maintient sa licence CPA. Greg et sa famille résident à Yarmouth.

As Contracts and System Manager, Wanda contributes to MTI’s mission of strengthening Maine’s innovation economy by working closely with entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations interested in securing tailored MTI funding and assistance. She provides essential program support to the MTI team, helping to increase quality deal flow, and promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation throughout the state.

Wanda a rejoint MTI en 2020 et apporte une large gamme d'expérience professionnelle à l'équipe, y compris les relations publiques et le marketing, la gestion de bureau, l'audit financier et l'enseignement. Elle a obtenu un baccalauréat ès sciences en éducation élémentaire / arts du langage de l'Université Andrews du Michigan. Après avoir passé des années à étudier et à travailler dans plusieurs États, elle est retournée avec bonheur à ses racines de la Nouvelle-Angleterre.

Outside of MTI, Wanda can be found exploring hiking trails or kayaking the coastal waters of Maine. She also enjoys wildlife photography and singing. Wanda lives in West Bath with her husband.

Abigail (Abby) Naana Osei joined MTI in 2022 and serves as an Investment Officer. She brings considerable experience in financial analysis, administration, and business support. Previously, she worked in various roles and volunteered with organizations which promoted development and growth in marginalized communities throughout Ghana. She also held a position with the start-up non-profit, ACES Ghana.

Abby holds a BA in Economics from the University of Ghana and an MS in Economics from the University of Maine, Orono, with a research interest in Development Economics and Sustainability projects.

Outside of MTI, Abby enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, dancing, and sight-seeing.

Bria joined MTI in May of 2024 as Staff Accountant. Bria started her career in banking and credit analysis; from there she moved onto payroll where her interest in accounting grew.  Bria obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine, Presque Isle and went on to earn her MBA with a concentration in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University.

In her spare time Bria enjoys tending to her vegetable garden and cooking.

Lou Simms est agent principal d'investissement au Maine Technology Institute. Lou a rejoint MTI en 2015 et savoure vraiment les opportunités de travailler avec les aspirants entrepreneurs du Maine - dédiés à soutenir la croissance de l'économie de l'innovation du Maine au quotidien.

Lou a rejoint MTI après avoir terminé ses travaux de maîtrise à l'Institut de durabilité et à la ferme de recherche laitière biologique de l'Université du New Hampshire - et Lou a une expérience antérieure dans la gestion de petites entreprises à Portland, allant des pistes de bowling aux conseils en littératie financière.

Originaire du Kentucky, Lou est inspiré par la beauté naturelle et le sens unique de la communauté ici dans le sud du Maine - et il ne peut penser à aucun meilleur endroit pour lui et sa femme pour élever leur jeune fils !

Merritt joined MTI in 2024 to help with marketing and communications at both the strategic and tactical level.  By building increased awareness of MTI’s programs through marketing, communication and engagement, she will help drive Maine’s innovation economy. 

Merritt is a lawyer turned consultant with a wide breadth of experience. After leaving the formal practice of law over a decade ago, she has worked on a diverse range of projects and developed an expertise in marketing and communications as well as working waterfront, fisheries and rural economic development. Merritt’s clients have included Penobscot River Restoration Trust, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Island Institute,  Glidden Point Oysters, among others. Merritt worked for several years as Luke’s Lobster Director of Community Relations (and ran its Tenants Harbor lobster shack seasonally) and for Acadian Seaplants as Director of Maine Operations. 

Merritt graduated from Brown University, was a member of the second all female team to race in the Volvo Ocean Challenge round-the-world yacht race and a member of the first all female America’s Cup Sailing team.  She attended University of Auckland School of Law in Auckland, New Zealand, where she lived for several years, and graduated from the University of Maine School of Law. In addition to her academic and professional experience, Merritt knows her way around the shore and has worked along the waterfront in one capacity or another her entire life. An avid equestrian, Merritt lives in Yarmouth, Maine with her husband Chris and three children.