Organizational Structure
The Commission appointed Patricia E. Ryan as its Executive Director in June 1979. The Executive Director appoints and supervises the Commission's staff.
The Commission has four major divisions.
Legal
This division is responsible for litigation activity as well as providing legal advice to the staff and Commission. The Commission Counsel assures Investigator's Reports are litigation worthy, provides legal opinions, drafts legislation and proposed regulations, litigates cases and advises the Executive Director on contract matters involving governmental agencies and private parties. John P. Gause was appointed as Commission Counsel in October, 2005.
Investigation
The Investigation Division is responsible for all aspects of case processing from determining whether or not allegations are legally sufficient to constitute a charge of discrimination within the jurisdiction of the Maine Human Rights Act, to issuing Investigator's Reports which analyze facts and apply the law of discrimination and relevant Court decisions and recommending specific findings to the Commission.
Barbara Lelli is the Commission's Chief Field Investigator. She is responsible for supervising Field Investigators Robert Beauchesne, Michele Dion, and Angela Tizón.
Compliance
The Compliance Division is responsible for all settlement efforts of the agency. The Division has direct responsibility for negotiating conciliation agreements after findings of reasonable grounds and conducting both written and on site monitoring of such agreements to insure that terms are met. The Compliance Officer sets overall negotiation strategy and reviews and monitors pre-determination settlement agreements. This Division also provides technical assistance to employers in reviewing Affirmative Action Plans and personnel policies and is involved in the public education efforts of the Commission.
Fran Davis is the Commission's Compliance Officer. This position is responsible for providing direction to the Commission's Intake Officer, Sheila Pierce.
Administration
The Administration Division is the division responsible for the effective operation of the office. Responsibilities include all personnel functions along with budget and other fiscal duties. Support is provided to other divisions.
Melody Piper is the Commission's Office Specialist II. Office support personnel are Charil Mairs, Case Controller and IT Specialist; Cheryl McAllister, Office Associate II, and Cindy Messer, Office Assistant II.
