State Officers
Biographical Info
Michael and Barbara Giroux – State Deputy and First Lady of Maine
I was born in Winslow, ME, and spent nine years with the Ursuline’s at Mount Merici Catholic School.
After graduating from Winslow High School, I attended the University of Maine at Orono for two and a
half years, majoring in music education and mechanical engineering. I then transferred to Thomas
College, graduating with a BS in Marketing Management, and then earned an MS in Business from
Husson College.
Currently, I own Berry’s Stationers in Oakland; a custom picture framing, art, stationery, and office
supply business, which has been in operation since 1897.
At the young age of 18, I couldn’t wait to join the Order, and the relatively new council in Winslow.
Once I began, I was excited to show the colors and joined the Patriotic Degree. I have held most
positions in the Council, including Grand Knight and Financial Secretary, and in the Assembly as well,
including Faithful Navigator and Faithful Comptroller. I served six years as a District Deputy for Past
State Deputies Roger Melancon, Richard King, and Walter Golojuch. More recently, I served eight years
as the State Youth Activities Director. I have captained our Admission Degree team, as well as the
Kennebec Valley Major Degree Team, and worked on the Patriotic Degree team.
My wife Barbara and I were married in 2007. We live in Augusta, have both been active in different
ministries in our home parish of St. Michael’s, and are fully committed to serving the Maine State
Council. At the 129th Maine State Convention in 2024, I was elected to the position of State Deputy. I
am looking forward to meeting and working with all of you in this capacity over the next two years.
Biographical Info
I was born in 1951 to a family of 13 children with a father and mother who had a very strong work ethic
and devout faith. After graduation I joined the Armed Forces and shortly afterwards due to a physical
condition I was honorably discharged. I then pursued a career in the pulp and paper industries, which
lasted for 44 years. During my career in the pulp and paper industry I became very active with
Northeast Paper Industries Management Association (PIMA). In my 12 years of dedication to PIMA I
served in many capacities to include Chairman of the Northeast Division. In recognition of my
dedication and commitment to PIMA an annual traveling award was commissioned in my honor. In
2002 I was the inaugural recipient of the Gilman J Berube award which continued to be awarded to a
new recipient each following year.
I joined the Knights of Columbus in 1981 and one year later I was elected Grand Knight of St. John Valley
Council No. 2638, a position I held for 2 years. In 1998 I became a Sir Knight after taking my Fourth
Degree during the Patriotic Exemplification held in Madawaska that year.
I retired from my management position in the pulp and paper industry in 2017 which provided me with
ample opportunities to become more active with the Knights of Columbus. Focused on service to my
church and community, I pursued an active role within my Assembly which led to my election and
service as Faithful Navigator for 4 years. In 2021 during my final year as Faithful Navigator our Assembly
hosted the first live Patriotic Exemplification after a period of social distancing mandated during the
Covid 19 pandemic.
In 2018 I was appointed District Deputy for District 1, a position in which I served for 5 years. In 2020, I
was appointed as the Northern District Marshal.
In 2021 I was elected State Warden to the Maine State Council, and quickly moved through the chairs
moving on to State Advocate one year later in 2022, and State Treasurer in 2023. In 2024 I was elected
as State Secretary.
I have been married to my lovely wife Diane for 52 wonderful years and we are proud to reside in
Madawaska, the northernmost town in Maine and the cultural center of the Saint John River Valley. We
have 4 adult children (2 sons and 2 daughters), 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Biographical Info
I was raised in Madawaska Maine, having the best childhood anyone could hope for. I graduated from Madawaska High
School in 1976 and attended Niagara University where I met my wife, Bernadette. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1980, after which I attended IONA College part time, graduating with a master’s in business administration in
1997. I spent 35 years in Manhattan delivering business solutions for Senior Leadership at Columbia Presbyterian
Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center, and The Visiting Nurse Service of New York respectively, before returning to
Maine in 2018. I worked for the State of Maine as an Application Development Director at the Office of the CIO for the
state of Maine for 5 years. I am currently retired and am looking forward to traveling throughout the state, visiting, and
helping our many great councils.
I have been a Knight of Columbus since October 26, 2003, and a Fourth Degree Knight and Honor Guard since June 3,
2007. I have held the Chancellor, Deputy Grand Knight, and Grand Knight positions on the council level and the Faithful
Navigator position on the assembly level. I have served as a District Deputy in both Pennsylvania and Maine.
Bernadette and I were married in 1986. We have two wonderful children, Gilman Jr and Dominique. We have recently
moved back to my hometown of Madawaska and are working on finding our forever home.
I have served as State Warden and State Advocate and was elected State Treasurer at this year’s State convention. I am
looking forward to working on the State Team as we guide and support the councils in the great jurisdiction of Maine on
the amazing Knights of Columbus journey we share.
Biographical Info
I have lived in Belfast for most of my life. I graduated from Belfast Area High School and
attended the University of ME for several years. I moved back to Belfast and worked at MBNA
(now Bank of America) for 15 years. In 2014 I moved to athenahealth where I have served
many roles.
I joined the Order in 2012. During my first year, I completed all three degrees as well as the
patriotic degree. Since then, I have held multiple roles including Recorder, Deputy Grand
Knight, Grand Knight, Faithful Admiral, District Deputy, State Warden, and as of the 2024 State
convention, I was elected as State Advocate.
My Wife Jen and I are very active in St. Brendan the Navigator parish and in our Church of St.
Francis of Assisi. We have three boys, Ricky, Timmy, and Dustin. The youngest is about to
graduate from high school.
I look forward to meeting Brother Knights, their families, and Councils throughout the State and
to continue strengthening the Order.
Biographical Info
Mike Foster – State Warden
My journey with the Knights of Columbus began in 2008 with the Springvale Council. I transferred to
Council 10221 shortly after and served my first term as Grand Knight in 2011. I earned my fourth degree
the following year and soon after became Faithful Navigator of Assembly 356 in Westbrook Maine. I
was the Webmaster for the State Council for three years during which I served a second term as Grand
Knight. In 2017 I was asked to serve as the State Program Director by Worthy State Deputy Norm Gray
and gladly accepted. I was on the 1 st Degree Team for several years during this period as well. In 2022 I
was appointed District Marshal and in 2023 was certified on the degree team. In April of 2024 I was
elected State Warden and am committed to the next 12 years of serving Maine as a state officer.
I served seven years in the US Army where I received my associate degree in Electronics Technology. I
have held several technical positions in communications and Information technology throughout my
career. I am currently a certified Information Security Project Manager.
I was married in 1989 and Donna and I have had five children and four grandchildren. I currently live in
Gorham Maine and serve as Lector and Sacristan at St. Annes Church. Donna and I are involved with the
Prison Ministry at the Windham Correctional Center and trained to run a Mass celebration in the
Absence of a Priest.
Biographical Info
I am your new pastor at St. Michael Parish. For those who don’t know me, I’ve been a priest of the Diocese of Portland for 15 years, having been ordained by Bishop Richard J. Malone in 2007, along with Fr. Greg Dube and Fr. Seamus Griesbach, at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Lewiston on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29th.I’m originally from Cumberland, ME. I graduated from Greely High School in 1993 and then attended the University of Maine in Orono, where I received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. After college, I worked for about 5 years doing computer chip design in South Portland. In 2001, I left the engineering profession to enter seminary. I did my priestly formation at the Theological College at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Coincidently, this is the same seminary Fr. Frank Murray and Fr. John Skehan attended.Since ordination, I have had several assignments in the Diocese that have taken me all over the place. I had a brief stint as the Vocations Director, and spent a few years doing hospital chaplaincy. Recently I served as pastor of the Parish of the Holy Savior in Rumford, ME from (2015-2021) and pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Camden, ME (2021-2022).
Some things people may not know about me:
- I am an Eagle Scout, and worked at scout camp as a counselor;
- I played Ultimate Frisbee with the Portland Summer League;
- I like to brew beer;
- I enjoy the outdoors;
- I’m an engineer at heart, and I geek out about technology and used to enjoy video games until I got too old to work these new fandangle controllers with all these buttons and lost too many games to my 4 nephews!
- I also have a 5-year-old black Labrador dog named Capriccio, but I call him “Cappy” (kudos if you can figure out the origin of his name).
Biographical Info
I was born in Fort Kent and grew up in St. Francis, Maine. I graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 1982 and from Eastern Maine Community College in May of 1984. I have been employed as a Radiographic Technologist for 32 years. I have held several positions and have worked in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. For the past four years I have been a Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist for Northern Light Health.
I have been a Knight for 25 years. I have held many offices for the Pine Cone Council #114 including Grand Knight. I am also a member of the Pine Cone Assembly #339 and am proud to serve as an Honor Guard. I was installed as District Deputy of District #5 in 2010 and have served in that capacity under two State Deputies. I was elected to the office of State Warden at the 119th Convention in April of 2014.
I have been married to my wife Patricia for 36 years. We have two daughters: Amanda who is married to Joseph Turcotte, and Ashley who is a Behavioral Home Health Coordinator for children’s services for Catholic Charities Maine. We are members of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and reside in Hermon. We enjoy serving at St. John’s Church and our community. We are looking forward to meeting you and making new friends as we travel throughout the State.
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