FACES OF THE FRIENDS

Year Round Staff

Daniel Griffin

Executive Director

Joining Watershed Friends as Executive Director, Daniel Griffin brings a lifelong commitment to nonprofit service, community partnership, and mission-driven leadership. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit development, strategy, and communications, Daniel has helped strengthen community organizations and educational institutions through thoughtful fundraising and relationship-building. He holds a BA in Political Science & Journalism from the University of Arkansas and an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, having served communities both domestically and internationally as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda.

Daniel will support Watershed Friends’ work protecting the Cobbosseecontee Watershed, helping to deepen the connection between healthy waters, strong communities, and future generations. He looks forward to listening, learning, and working alongside volunteers, partners, neighbors, and donors who care deeply about this remarkable watershed. 

Along with his wife and daughter, Daniel is eager to put down roots in central Maine, becoming part of a community shaped by its lakes, streams, and shared responsibility for the natural world. Together, their household has been grounded in service, stewardship, and a deep appreciation for the places where people and the environment are connected.

A man in a kayak wearing a blue shirt and sunglasses looking down into a trunk style viewing scope

Keith Coulling

Technical Advisor

Keith joined the Board of Directors in Oct. ’24 and had been the Acting Executive Director from Dec. ’24 until May ‘26. Prior to his retirement he worked in Standish, Maine for an automotive parts company where he managed an engineering group developing sensors for automotive needs. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine.

Keith and his wife have a home on Torsey Pond at the same location his parents had a camp throughout his childhood. In fact, his extended family have been on Torsey for about 100 years.

In his spare time Keith enjoys working around his home on building projects and with anything to do with being on or in the waters of Torsey.

A person in a wetsuit with a large aquatic plant in their arms

Caroline Balano-Stott

Conservation Programs Manager

Caroline joined the Friends as the Conservation Programs Manager in April 2025, having previously worked seasonally with the Friends since 2016 across several roles and programs.

Caroline grew up in the watershed and looks forward to continuing to help protect the lakes, ponds, and streams Caroline has loved since childhood.  

Caroline lives within the watershed with family, cats, a dog, and chickens. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, and exploring the outdoors. 

A person in a kayak wearing a blue shirt, black life jacket, sunglasses, and ball cap smiling at the camera

Em Russell

Cobbosseecontee Lake Programs Manager

Em has a background in engineering and environmental science. He loves freshwater ecology and his enthusiasm for AIS management is well-known to his colleagues.

He loves to be in and on the water and looks forward to developing and sharing his skills to benefit our watershed.

Em lives just outside the watershed with his partner and their three pets. Off the water, he enjoys cross-country skiing, hiking, fix-it projects, and exploring Maine. 

Seasonal Staff

Five people lined up smiling at the camera in matching green shirts
Seven people lined up facing the camera in matching yellow shirts

2025 Roaming Survey Team

2025 Courtesy Boat Inspection Team, the full team had 37 members over the course of the season!

Five people facing the camera wearing matching green shirts, the one in the middle is being held in the air by the two people to either side

2025 Cobbossee Lake Survey and Control Team

Board of Directors and Advisory Council

Board of Directors:

Kathy Boggan, President

Kim Bowie, President Elect

Walter Wiacek, Treasurer

John Branning, Secretary

Keith Coulling, Acting Executive Director

Jim Adams

Greg Anderson

Amy Burr

Amy Gingras

Advisory Council:

Kent Ackley

Rob Brown

Tavis Hasenfus

Wayde Rankin

Andrew Silsby

Sandy Small-Hughes

Brian Tarbuck

Spotter (otter mascot costume) holding a human sized inflatable lobster

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