Board of Directors
"Volunteers are not paid ~ not because they are worthless but because they are priceless!"
Attorney (retired)
David practiced law in Illinois for thirty years before retiring and moving to Berlin in 2011 with his wife, Dr. Sandra Benckendorf, who practices medicine with Coos County Family Health Services. He served on numerous boards in Illinois, including the Tazewell County Board, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, and Pastoral Counseling Service. David is an adjunct professor and criminal justice program coordinator at nearby White Mountains Community College. He joined the Board of Directors at St. Kieran’s in 2015. He and his wife have three children. David enjoys reading, writing, and martial arts.
Retired Owner / Operator, Bisson’s Sugar House
Mr. Blais, a Board member since 2011, serving as Secretary, 2012 through 2018, now serves as the Board’s Vice-Chairperson. He and his wife Muriel own and operate Bisson’s Sugar House, a family business in Berlin which began producing maple products in 1921. Lucien is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He worked in human services from 1974 to 1988, his last position being supervisor of the Division of Children and Youth Services in Berlin. In addition to his work at the sugar house, Lucien is self-employed doing home remodeling and maintenance. Over the years, Lucien has served on numerous boards and committees including serving as Past President of the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association. He is currently an officer with the local Knights of Columbus Council and serves on the Advisory Board for the Granite United Way. He and Muriel have three children who all work in teaching/counseling professions.
Bank Branch Mamager
Janet Caron is a Berlin native who joined the Board of Directors in March of 2018. Earning an Associate Degree in Business Management from NH Vocational Technical College, Janet has been involved in the banking industry for over 25 years, now serving as the Berlin Branch Manager for Service Credit Union. She has always been fascinated by entertainers and the talent they bring to the table and finds participation in the arts uplifting, inspirational and joyful. She and her husband Roland have three children and four grandchildren who bring them so much joy.
Educator
Debra is a lifelong resident of the North Country who joined the board in 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Keene State College and taught Kindergarten from 1992 until 2010. She continues to work with multi level students as a paraprofessional in the Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District. Debra has served on the Family Resource Center Board of Directors and on the school board for St. Michael’s School. She and her husband Paul have three children and one grandchild. Debra enjoys any time spent with her extensive family, as well as singing, live music and attending plays. Her hobbies include quilting, geo-caching, organizing and gardening.
EH&S Manager
Ryan is a native of the Berlin/Gorham area who joined the board in 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire and has worked as an environmental and safety professional with the Berlin/Gorham mills and is currently the EH&S Manager at our local renewable energy power plant, Burgess BioPower. Ryan is also a lifelong musician and plays the drums for local bands – buRne, Ctrl-Shift, and the Luke Ijams Trio. Ryan and his wife, Amanda, have raised 5 children from their home in Gorham. Besides playing music and performing, Ryan enjoys cooking for his family, exploring the local ATV trails, and just getting out for walks and being surrounded by the natural beauty and fresh air of the North Country.
Paralegal (retired)
Lucille, a Berlin native, has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and as Board Chairperson since 2017. She and her husband, Stephen, havebeen married for 38 years and presently reside in Gorham, NH. They haveraised three children, Reggie, a physical therapist; Jessica, an occupational therapist; and Matthew who has physical disabilities and lives at home. After 45 years in the legal field, Lucille retired in March 2013. She was first hiredby the law firm of Bergeron and Hanson in June 1968 and remained anemployee until April 2008. That year, the practice was sold to Cooper, Cargilland Chant, P.A. In 1985, Lucille earned a Paralegal Studies certificate fromthe University of New Hampshire and developed extensive experience indealing with estates, trusts and guardianships. Lucille has served on theBoard of Directors for Northern Human Services, volunteers/coaches for NHSpecial Olympics and is a volunteer for Holy Family Parish
Registered Nurse
Community Care Coordinator Nurse Joann L’Heureux, joined the Board of Directors in October of 2017. She was born and raised in the Berlin/Gorham area, graduating high school in 1978. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire. In 1982, she returned to the area, meeting and marrying her late husband Robert L’Heureux. After the birth of their fi rst son, Joann expanded her education in the fi eld of health, becoming a registered nurse. Their second son soon followed. For many years she cared for the people of the community as a visiting nurse. Her current role, Community Care Coordinator Nurse, is a shared position with Coos County Family Health Services and Androscoggin Valley Hospital.Joann’s interest in the arts goes back to her high school days. She was an active member of the drama club, chorus and select choir. Her family, of local Riendeau fame, was made up of well-known and talented musicians. They provided much musical entertainment on guitar, fi ddle, harmonica, and accordion for numerous family events.
Retired Consultant
Barbara was born and raised in Berlin, St. Kieran’s Parish, attending St. Pat’s Elementary school, after graduating Berlin High, she attended Mt. St. Mary College returning to Berlin to teach high school English. She moved to Texas where she lived for 45 years, working at the American Indian Center, Girls Inc., and Planned Parenthood of North Texas. In 2000, she began traveling to Berlin in the summers and worked as a Nonprofit Management Training Consultant specializing in Communication And Funds Development Plans. Both here and in Dallas. She enjoys reading, classic movies, live music, and watching the seasons change and wildlife visiting the farm. She joined the board this year.
Retired Arts Director / Educator
Pierre grew up in Berlin, attended both St. Kieran’s Parish and St. Pat’s Elementary School, he graduated from St. John’s Prep in Danvers MA, and attended college at Northwood University starting in Midland MI and graduating from the campus in Cedar Hill TX. He worked in Campus Ministry in Topeka KA, NH State Welfare AFDC, and returned to TX for a Masters Program at the University of TX in Arlington. He worked at Sewell Village Cadillac in Quality Control, as Executive Director of the Arlington Arts Association, returned to school for Teacher’s Certification and taught High School Special Education until his retirement. Pierre enjoys multi media assemblage, live music, puttering around the farm, walking Barney, and all things firearms and old cars. He joined the board this year after making Berlin his permanent residence.
Program Administrator (retired)
Twenty years ago (2004), Sue Young was asked to help create the first St.Patrick’s Day Fundraiser for St. Kieran’s Community Center for the Arts. The fundraiser was a tremendous success and slowly but surely, after continuous involvement with numerous fundraising efforts, she became a board member. She has a love of the arts and creative processes. Sue has an extensive background in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling; before returning to the city of her birth, Sue worked in a rehabilitation hospital in Massachusetts. She is positive, energetic and strives to use her time and talents to make a difference every day.
See Our Past Board Members since 2023
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts 
155 Emery Street . Berlin, New Hampshire 03570 . Call 603-752-1028