About Us

Patrick Strauch, Executive Director

Patrick Strauch received his BS degree in Forest management and his MS in Silviculture from the University of Maine. He began his career as a forester for St. Regis Paper Co. and U.S. Gypsum Company in Maine. In the 90’s Patrick migrated from the woods to the recycling industry where he eventually became the vice president and director of a regional recycling organization.

In 2001, he returned to the forest industry as the Director of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

In January of 2004 Patrick became the Executive Director of the Maine Forest Products Council representing over 400 members and advocating for issues relating to the working forests of Maine.

He resides on a farm in Exeter, Maine with his wife Nancy and their three children.

Telephone: (207) 622-9288
E-mail: pstrauch@maineforest.org

Patrick Sirois, Director of the Maine Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Patrick Sirois grew up in a logging and sawmill family. Upon graduation from the Bath Iron Works Apprenticeship Program in 1983, he was called back to the woods to begin a logging career that lasted until 1997, when he was recruited to become the first Director of Maine’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

In 2001, he went to work for the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine to assist in the development of the Master Logger Program. In 2004, Patrick re-joined the Council staff to return as the SFI Director.

Patrick and his wife Bethany live in Litchfield, Maine with their three children.

Telephone : (207) 622-9288
E-mail: psirois@maineforest.org

James Cote, Director of Communications

James Cote joined the Maine Forest Products Council in April of 2008 after spending several years as a political consultant with Eaton Peabody Law Firm and Winning Strategies Consulting Group.

During that time, James focused primarily on grassroots outreach campaigns for Maine’s natural resource-based industries, with special focus on the working forest. Prior to his work with Eaton Peabody and Winning Strategies, James was an advisor to several political campaigns, including the management of a statewide gubernatorial campaign in 2006. He has been instrumental in the success of the Natural Resources Network and was appointed by Governor Baldacci in 2007 to sit on the Landowner-Sportsmen Relations Advisory Council as a representative of statewide sportsmen. James also writes a monthly column for the Northwood's Sporting Journal.

James resides in Farmington, Maine and when not in the office spends much of his time hunting, fly fishing, and playing golf.

Office telephone: (207) 622-9288
Mobile: (207) 860-6600
Email: jcote@maineforest.org

Michele Maclean, Council Lobbyist

Michele Maclean is a contract lobbyist to the Maine Forest Products Council. She founded Capitol Strategies, a lobbying firm based in Gardiner, Maine, in 1994 after several years with a local law firm. Michele has had a long history working with and representing the forest products industry, starting in 1994 with Champion International Corporation until the company’s acquisition by International Paper and then with the Maine Forest Products Council.

Michele and her husband Andy live with their two children in Gardner, Maine.

Work Telephone: (207) 582-0319
E-mail: mmaclean@adelphia.net
Telephone: (207) 622-9288

Sue McCarthy, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager

E-Mail: adminassist@maineforest.org
Telephone (207) 622-9288