BANGOR – Literacy Volunteers of Bangor board President Benjamin Smith received prestigious statewide recognition when he was honored with the Lorrayne Carroll Award, which is given to a volunteer who advances adult literacy in Maine and personifies strong commitment, leadership and devotion to the cause.

Smith led LV-Bangor for 18 months and concluded his presidency at the June annual meeting, though he remains on the board as its development chairman.

This spring, Smith also accepted a position on Literacy Volunteers of Maine’s board of directors.

An assistant portfolio manager with Acadia Trust and graduate of the University of Maine’s Masters of Business Administration program, Smith has given leadership that has enabled LV-Bangor’s exponential growth.

During his time as board president, Smith helped LV-Bangor complete a three-year strategic plan, provided board committees with structure and active leadership, recruited major donors and volunteers to the organization, created the organization’s first blog and spearheaded an application to WLBZ-TV 2’s “Those Who Care Award,” which resulted in the 2007 Agency of Distinction Award.

“Ben leads from the front,” said LV-Bangor Executive Director Mary Marin Lyon. “He never asks from others what he isn’t already doing. Ben’s an incredible ambassador for the issue of low literacy and LV-Bangor. He’s always ready to tell our story and that’s critical to getting our message to the public.”

Lorrayne Carroll, for whom the award is named, was a former LV-Maine board president for six years. During her tenure, she helped LV-Maine through significant changes including the creation of ProLiteracy and accreditation.

With 37 percent of Maine reading at the lowest levels of literacy, LV-Bangor empowers adults through trained volunteers with improved reading and English language skills that enhance life skills in the areas of family, health, work and community.

For more information, visit www.lvbangor.org or call 947-8451.