Bruce Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), has been elected to the board of directors of the National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER) for 2016-17. “I look forward to serving in this capacity,” stated Wagner. “NCHER is a highly regarded organization that promotes college access. Maine has been a leader nationally with its innovative college savings, college access, and financial education efforts, and it is important for Maine to have a seat at the table.” Wagner has served as Chief Executive Officer of FAME since his appointment by Governor Paul LePage in 2014. Under his leadership, FAME has aggressively pursued its vision to create good paying jobs for the citizens of Maine by working at the nexus of education and economic development. FAME administers Maine’s Section 529 college savings plan, the NextGen College Investing Plan®, and deploys extensive resources into financial literacy, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, and student loan programs that help develop Maine’s future workforce. Wagner has a strong and comprehensive background in business management, development, and renewal, having served as W.R. Grace’s President of the Darex Container Products Division, as Chief Executive Officer at Barber Foods, and as Chief Financial Officer at Martin’s Point Health Care. Wagner has served on the board of directors of Woodard & Curran, Mercy Hospital, the Portland Community Health Center, and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Lafayette College, he has completed advanced management programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at INSEAD, the French international business school. NCHER is a national, nonprofit trade association representing state, nonprofit, and private organizations that assist students and families in paying for college and managing their student loan debt. NCHER represents its members on public policy initiatives and brings together the higher education community to improve legislation and regulations regarding student loan programs. “NCHER is privileged to have talented leaders like Bruce serve as directors for the organization in the coming year,” said James Bergeron, NCHER President. “With Bruce’s assistance, NCHER looks forward to continuing to help our members provide quality student loan servicing, debt management, college access and other services to benefit students, families, and schools.” FAME is a quasi-independent state agency that provides innovative financial solutions to help Maine people and businesses pursue educational and business opportunities. FAME helps to lead the creation of good paying jobs for Maine citizens by working at the nexus between economic and workforce development.