PORTLAND – Camp Susan Curtis is thrilled to announce Brian and Kelli Deveaux as honorary chairs for its Campfire Under the Stars Gala. The gala will take place Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Brick South on Thompson’s Point in Portland.
Brian Deveaux is president & CEO of Hussey Seating Company, a global leader in the spectator seating industry. Founded in 1835 in North Berwick, Hussey is now in its seventh generation of family ownership. Brian served as a trustee of Camp Susan Curtis for nine years and has continued his involvement with the organization through strategic planning and as a member of the finance committee.
He has served on the board of the Manufacturers Association of Maine since 2018 and previously served on the board of the United Way and as chair of the board of Literacy Volunteers of Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin College with degrees in math and economics.
Kelli Deveaux is a lifelong educator and fierce youth advocate who has spent most of her career developing programs and community coalitions to benefit students. As a high school teacher and then building administrator in Southern Maine, Kelli championed the power and critical importance of public education as the greatest equalizer and opportunity for all children. She took this same spirit to the Maine Department of Education, first as communications director and then associate commissioner for public education before returning to Gorham School Department, where she currently works as a preK-12 career aspirations coordinator and community liaison.
As much as she upholds education, she has also seen firsthand the devastating impacts of time when our most vulnerable children are not in school, such as during summer vacation, when the support and care needed and provided during the school year is now missing. She saw at a very young age the power of a summer experience in the lives of children when her family hosted inner city children through the Fresh Air Fund. Kelli now serves on the Camp Susan Curtis Evening with Maine Authors Event planning committee, and she has and continues to serve on multiple committees and boards whose missions align with improving the lives of children and families in Maine.
“Brian and Kelli bring a deep commitment to Maine communities and a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, belong and succeed,” said Scott Merrow, executive director of Camp Susan Curtis. “Their leadership and passion for supporting young people make them incredible honorary chairs for this year’s gala.”
The Campfire Under the Stars Gala brings together more than 350 community leaders, businesses and supporters to celebrate the power of belonging and raise critical funds to send Maine children from low-income households to camp, completely free of charge.
Camp Susan Curtis is the only camp that offers a completely free, 10-day overnight camp experience exclusively for Maine for children from low-income households, helping them develop foundational skills that positively impact their future.
Located on 100 acres of pristine conservation land, kids in need get to learn and grow in the beautiful Maine outdoors. They get to take swimming lessons, learn how to ride a bike, try kayaking or hike a mountain for the very first time. Through supportive relationships with mentors and peers, kids gain the self-confidence needed to believe in themselves. At camp, kids join a supportive community that encourages them to try new things, connect with nature, build positive relationships, and develop the essential life and leadership skills that help them learn about their limitless potential.
Learn more at www.susancurtis.org.
