Our Team

Amber Albe, Director of Outdoor Recreation

Amber has lived in the beautiful state of Maine for over half a decade. She grew up in Connecticut, where she attended Eastern Connecticut State University, and spent much of her young professional life working at the YMCA in Aquatics and Marketing. To the dismay of her family, she skipped out on her college graduation ceremony and hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2019, which sparked her enthusiasm for the outdoor recreation industry. She moved to Maine and 2020, when she decided to take a white water guide course in The Forks, ME.

From that point on, Amber has been hungry for outdoor recreation experiences, including obtaining her Maine Recreational Guide license, Wilderness First Responder, ACA Swift-water Rescue, and more. She has guided throughout the state and has worked in the ski industry for several winters. She has skills in digital marketing, having worked for Wilderness Medical Associates International as their Digital Content Specialist for several years, and is an artist with her own small business Radical River Works.

Amber believes this role with Main Street Skowhegan/Skowhegan Outdoors is her dream job and she is beyond excited to see what impacts Skowhegan Outdoors has on the greater Skowhegan community, ensuring access for all in our beautiful woods and waters.

Matt Kay, Team Lead

Matt Kay is a Skowhegan, Maine native. He went to the University of Maine and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology & Physical Education with a minor in Outdoor Education. The last 5 years he has worked as a Personal Trainer and just created his own personal training company. His favorite outdoor activities include skiing (downhill & x-c), hiking, mountain biking, trail running, water sports (kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding), and walking his dogs.

Riley Mercier, Events Coordinator

Riley Mercier, Events Coordinator, Team Lead

Riley Mercier grew up in Skowhegan and proudly calls it home. After serving six years in the United States Air Force, she returned to Maine with an even deeper appreciation for the people, culture, and natural beauty that define the state.

Today, Riley serves as Events Coordinator with Main Street Skowhegan, where she channels her energy into building experiences that unite neighbors, honor local heritage, and showcase the town’s unique spirit. For her, supporting Skowhegan isn’t just professional work—it’s a heartfelt commitment to helping the community grow and flourish while fostering the same pride and connection that have always grounded her.

Madeline Linhart, Marketing Coordinator

My name is Madeline Linhart and I am a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. I enjoy hiking, swimming, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors! I'm always open to trying new things and having fun adventures.

Lily Hoover, Gear Library Coordinator

Hi, my name is Lily. I’m a native Mainer who loves exploring the outdoors through hiking, sailboating, birdwatching, gardening, kayaking, camping, and fishing. You’ll most often find me at Basecamp, organizing, cleaning, and maintaining the Skowhegan Outdoors equipment. I also enjoy supporting hikes and camping trips, helping others connect with nature in meaningful ways.

Grace Kiernan, Outdoor Education Coordinator

Grace is a proud Maine resident, Somerset Career and Technical Center (SCTC) graduate, Maine Recreational Guide, Whitewater Raft Guide, avid kayaker, and lover of Skowhegan Outdoors. She's grown up in the woods, so her love of the outdoors came naturally. The turning point in her outdoor career was when she went whitewater rafting for the first time. The minute she got on the water it was clear she found what she wanted to do. From there, she got involved with Skowhegan Outdoors through their whitewater kayaking summer camp. Soon enough she was involved in everything Skowhegan Outdoors had to offer, starting as a participant, now as an employee. Grace also joined the Outdoor Leadership program at SCTC, learning the skills and qualities needed as a guide. She got both her Maine Recreational Guide and Whitewater Raft Guide licenses through this program, along with her Wilderness First Aid certification. She went to SkillsUSA, competing in the Outdoor Leadership states competition, and she came home with the gold medal.

 

Outside of the Outdoor Industry, Grace is part of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), where she teaches others about leadership. She loves photography and has staffed camps through CAP as the Public Affairs Officer. Grace loves being part of the Outdoor Industry, Whitewater community, and Civil Air Patrol. She is excited to be able to use all the skills she's learned by giving back to the community through outdoor recreational programs and doing what she loves.

Aiden Belanger, Outdoor Industry Partnership Coordinator

My name is Aiden Belanger, and I’ve spent my life in central Maine, growing up in Cornville just outside of Skowhegan. Being surrounded by forests, rivers, and trails from an early age shaped my strong connection to the outdoors. I enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking, backpacking, alpine skiing, and canoeing.

I’m enthusiastic about helping create more opportunities for people in our community to get outside and feel welcome exploring the outdoors.

Laura Holden, Outdoor Operations and Pathways Lead

I am a lifelong Mainer with a deep connection to the outdoors and the communities that make this state special. I graduated from Thomas College in 2025 and earned my Maine Registered Whitewater Guide license in 2023. I have guided whitewater trips in both Maine and Colorado, gaining experience across a range of rivers and conditions.

Outside of guiding, I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible—canoeing, fishing, alpine skiing, hiking, and exploring new landscapes whenever I can. I am passionate about sharing outdoor adventures with others and helping people discover new places through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

Our organization hosts AmeriCorps members who serve in key programmatic roles.

Serve Outside, Grow Inside