MaineCTE Business Summit: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Breakfast!

Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

Enjoy breakfast on us!

Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

8:30am EDT

The Trifecta: Integrating CTE, Business, and Academic Education

Monday July 20, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Mike was hired as St. George Municipal School Unit’s first superintendent in 2015. In that role, he focused on developing partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations to better meet the needs of students and families.

While superintendent, Mike helped lead a community effort, in partnership with MidCoast School of Technology, to develop the nation’s first PreK-12 Career & Technical Education program. In August 2025, after a three-year campaign that raised over $4.6 million, St. George opened the GRACE Innovation Center. The project was selected as a finalist for the national Yass Prize and was featured in both national (e.g., Wall Street Journal and Fox Business News) and state and local media (e.g., News Center Maine, WABI TV, etc.).

In July 2025, Mike transitioned to the roles of Executive Director of the GRACE Innovation Center and Executive Director of the St. George Community Development Corporation (StGCDC). The StGCDC also oversees the adult education, workforce training, and telehealth/paramedicine programming happening through the GRACE Innovation Center.

With the StGCDC, Mike has the opportunity to work at the nexus of community, education, and economic development alongside individuals, groups, and institutions that are developing locally tailored solutions to the most pressing issues facing our town, state, and nation – issues ranging from food security to workforce readiness and housing to healthcare.

Speakers

Michael Felton

Executive Director, Grace Innovation Center

Monday July 20, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Keynote

9:30am EDT

Session C: High-Quality CTE at the Post-Secondary Level with the University of Maine System, Maine Community College, and Maine Maritime Academy

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am EDT

This session explores how CTE can redefine post-secondary readiness by providing students with a distinct competitive advantage over those on a strictly academic track. While traditional pathways focus heavily on theoretical knowledge, CTE integrates rigorous academics with real-world experience, allowing students to master industry-standard skills before they even graduate high school.

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am EDT

9:30am EDT

Session A: Recruiting and Retaining the Modern Teenager

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Recruiting and retaining teenagers today looks vastly different from how it did in the past, requiring a pivot from transactional outreach to authentic relationship-building. This presentation explores how businesses can find success by providing students with a familiar, trusted face to bridge the gap between education and industry. We will discuss how CTE schools provide an ideal, safe environment for businesses to cultivate these professional connections early.

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

9:30am EDT

Session B: Successful Internships and Apprenticeships

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

For decades, Maine struggled to implement scalable apprenticeship models, but the landscape has shifted dramatically over the last five years. Through the concerted efforts of Educate Maine, the Maine Community College System, the Department of Labor, and Maine CTE schools, pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships are now thriving across the state. This presentation highlights how these collaborative pathways are providing a direct solution to Maine’s workforce shortage.

Monday July 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

12:00pm EDT

Lunch! Facilitated lunch discussions at tables

Monday July 20, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

Large Group Work Session: Solving the Maine CTE Capacity Paradox: Strategies for Access and Sustainability

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Maine’s CTE landscape is currently facing two distinct realities. On one hand, high-demand programs in growing regions are facing waitlists, forcing schools to turn away students due to capacity and safety constraints. On the other hand, smaller schools are struggling to hit EPS thresholds, putting vital funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions at risk.

This session offers a critical opportunity to examine the hurdles confronting CTE institutions and develop innovative strategies to expand student access throughout Maine.

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

2:30pm EDT

Afternoon Recreation

Monday July 20, 2026 2:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Free time for attendees to utilize the golf facility, hiking trails, or mountain biking paths.

Monday July 20, 2026 2:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

5:00pm EDT

Networking Reception

Monday July 20, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT

Drinks and informal discussions, meet & greet!

Sponsored by a MACTE Partner.

Monday July 20, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm EDT

6:30pm EDT

Dinner & Evening Keynote: Topic: Building Maine’s Future Workforce

Monday July 20, 2026 6:30pm - 8:00pm EDT

Mark Brooks currently serves as the Director of the Cianbro Institute at the Cianbro Corporation headquartered in Pittsfield, Maine. He also coordinates leadership development across the Cianbro Companies.

Mark is a retired Colonel with the United States Army Reserves, serving for over 34 years and retiring in 2020. He has led soldiers at the Team, Squad, Platoon, Company, Battalion and Brigade level. He is a decorated Combat Veteran with service in Iraq. COL Brooks has been awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star for commanding U.S. and Iraqi soldiers in Tal Afar, Iraq. He was also awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Award for service at the Pentagon supporting contingency operations in Afghanistan. COL Brooks is a graduate of the United States Army War College, earning a Master’s of Science degree in Strategic Studies.

COL Brooks has served as a Leadership Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Mark is also a retired Troop Commander (Lieutenant) with the Maine State Police. He has served as a rural Maine State Patrol Trooper, Homicide Detective, Child-abuse Detective, Training Sergeant at the Maine State Police Academy, Patrol Sergeant and Troop Commander in both Troop F in Aroostook County and Troop C in Skowhegan serving Central Maine. He has served as Commander of the Maine State Police Crisis Negotiation Unit and also Commander of the Incident Management Assistance Team. Mark served in the Maine State Police for 25 years and retired in the fall of 2019.

Speakers