AUGUSTA—United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) names Kennebec Savings Bank's President and CEO, Andrew Silsby, as its next campaign chair—charged with leading the organization’s 2021 fundraising efforts.

Silsby will lend his expertise to build prosperous community partnerships and inspire hope among those who live and work in Kennebec Valley.

"Giving back to the community is something that is very important to me, and something that my parents instilled in me from a young age," Silsby said. "I want to inspire as many people as I can to give back through the United Way because it truly does make a difference. Our united commitment to doing good by our friends and neighbors is what makes central Maine such a great place to live, work and play."

With the support of the Campaign Champions—a group comprised of business and community leaders who will facilitate campaign support from across the region—Silsby will lead the way for the organization to expand its network of individual and corporate donors.

"I hope that by the end of the year, we can fully reemerge into a ‘post-COVID’ world where we can gather, celebrate and unite outside of the digital space," Silsby said. "I hope to see our local restaurants full of patrons, our theaters hosting shows, our small shops with doors wide open, and our United Way Campaign Kickoff full of folks high-fiving and celebrating our collective success."

As part of its annual initiative, United Way’s workplace campaigns engage more than 130 local businesses each year, representing more than 2,000 donors. Last year, donations to United Way through the community care fund as well as the COVID-19 fund totaled more than $2 million and assisted 56,534 people in more than 50 programs across southern Kennebec County.

Born and raised in Central Maine, Silsby is no stranger to the hardworking mentality of a true Mainer. A graduate of the University of Maine, he spent his college summers working as a teller at what was once Fleet Bank. Upon graduation, that working experience landed him a job as a Management Trainee at that same institution. In 1993, Silsby joined Kennebec Savings Bank as a Loan Officer at the Bank’s Augusta location. From there, he progressively gained experience, both on the job and in the community. After 21 years with the organization, the Bank announced in 2013 that Silsby would take over as President in 2014 and CEO of the organization in 2015.

Silsby dove in head first giving back to local organizations upon his return home to Augusta. He joined the United Way of Kennebec Valley Allocations Committee, where he served for eight years. Since then, Silsby has served as a board member, Chair and Treasurer, committee member, and a volunteer with many central Maine based organizations.

"The impact of the pandemic will be felt for years to come, and it is our most vulnerable friends and neighbors who will struggle the most," Silsby said. "I have seen our community rise to the challenge many times before, and I am certain we can do it again if we all work together."

If you are interested in serving as a United Way Campaign Champion or supporting the fundraising effort, please contact 207-626-3400. For more information about United Way, visit uwkv.org.