New EAA director emphasizes healthful aging

From spreadsheets to the corner office, Noelle Merrill is movin’ on up. The former chief financial officer at Eastern Agency on Aging is now at home in the executive director’s chair.

“I am really looking forward to continuing, but also expanding, the vision for the agency that Roberta [Downey, former executive director] initiated,” said Merrill. “I have always been proud to be a part of Eastern Agency and am excited at the opportunity to lead the agency in familiar as well as new directions.”

Educated on the West Coast, Merrill holds a master’s degree and previously worked for the Bangor Water District and the Searsport Water District. She also owned The Christmas Shop in Searsport.

Merrill has been with EAA for more than 10 years, the last eight as CFO, and her tenure brought about many changes in the business management of the agency.

“I have had great satisfaction doing such things as streamlining the business processes and improving the connection of program management to the agency budget,” she said. “I have had to learn the rules and regulations for the programs of the agency, as well as who is served, why and how. And every new grant brings with it a completely new array of services, match requirements, service requirements, measures, performance outcomes.”

Merrill has worked hard to obtain a complete understanding of these sometimes complicated, but seemingly necessary, rules and regulations. But don’t be fooled by her strong business head and fondness for figures. She is certainly not an “all work and no play” kind of gal.

Merrill goes to the gym regularly to work out and jogs almost every day – outside, not on a treadmill mind you, but outdoors – in all kinds of weather, even in snow. During the summer, she occasionally rides her bicycle the 10 miles to work – and of course home again.

She serves on the Conservation Commission in Holden, where she lives with her husband and two of her three children. She currently is working on the formation of a weaving guild in Bangor. Her weaving skills are unmatched and she has periodically made beautiful hand woven scarves or place mats she’s donated to EAA fund-raising raffles.

But healthful aging still is the subject to which she has given top priority.

“Live Well, Age Well is one of the agency’s themes and that message is extremely important because people need to understand as they age, that this motto is the best medicine available,” said Merrill, who will turn 55 on Christmas Day.

“I’d like to see the Eastern Agency on Aging attaching its name to some popular fitness events that happen in our area,” she said. “I’m also interested in sponsoring awards for older persons participating in life sport activities, such as white water canoe and kayak races, skiing or road races and other similar events either in this county or in the other three counties we serve. This would be a way to equate our name with healthy, active aging.”

Since she is solidly in the baby boom generation, Merrill intends to guide the agency with a “keen eye on the future as the characteristics of older persons’ needs and interests continue to evolve,” she said.

“We plan to continue expansion on delivery of our services and increase our capacity for successful, meaningful programs that serve all older persons, regardless of income. We have a fantastic team of employees, volunteers and directors all working together to make aging in eastern Maine something to brag about to people in all parts of the state and country.”

Lofty goals and a “can-do” attitude may prove to be her greatest assets. Good luck, Noelle. We wish you well.

Carol Higgins is communications director at EAA. For information, call 941-2865 or log on to www.eaaa.org.