Banknorth Group's Bill Ryan Receives National FDR Leadership Award from March of Dimes

First time awarded in Maine; Banknorth also announces $90,000 donation to March of Dimes for NICU program

PORTLAND, Maine -- The March of Dimes presented the national Franklin Delano Roosevelt Leadership Award on Thursday night to William J. Ryan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banknorth Group, Inc., at the organization’s annual testimonial dinner.

The national award has never before been awarded to someone in Maine and has only been presented a few times in the history of the national, non-profit organization.

Banknorth Group also announced a $90,000 contribution Thursday night to be given to the March of Dimes over the next three years through the Banknorth Charitable Foundation. The donation, which is for $30,000 per year for three years, will fund the organization’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Family Support Project at Maine Medical Center, which helps families who have a baby in intensive care. The March of Dimes will match the donation to this project.

The contribution is the lead gift for the March of Dimes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Support Project to be developed at Maine Medical Center in Portland. The project components include a part-time support specialist, a network of volunteers, additional training for staff, information for extended family and siblings, and other services to assist families.

Nearly 300 members of the business community attended the March of Dimes First Annual Testimonial Dinner Thursday night, September 30, held at the Sheraton in South Portland.

“Over nearly a decade, Bill (Ryan) has been an unsung hero within the March of Dimes, until tonight,” said Judith C. Soucier, director of the March of Dimes in Central Maine. “He is genuinely compassionate to others, and has as a priority that every baby has the chance to be born healthy.”

According to the March of Dimes, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Leadership award was established to honor those unique leaders who embody the vision and courage of their founder, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Presented few times in the March of Dimes’ 60-year history and never before this time in the State of Maine, this award symbolizes the highest level of personal and professional commitment to the mission of the March of Dimes.

Ryan’s association with the March of Dimes began in 1990 when he served as the chair of the organization’s annual WalkAmerica fundraising campaign in Maine. Since then, he has supported the organization in a number of ways, including serving as the group’s spokesperson in Portland. Ryan, a resident of Cumberland, serves on a number of boards, including as a trustee of Colby College, trustee of the Libra Foundation, and on the Board of Advisors of the University of New England.

In addition to William J. Ryan being honored, other speakers included Ambassador family members Linda Federico, with 5-year old daughter, Deni and big brother Kelin Sevit; Owen W. Wells, President and CEO of the Libra Foundation; John E. Menario, Special Assistant to the President, retired, Banknorth Group, Inc.; and Jane Massey, National Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the March of Dimes.

Banknorth Group Inc., headquartered in Portland, is a $29 billion banking and financial services company which operates in six northeastern states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New York. For additional information, go to the company’s web site at www.banknorth.com.

The March of Dimes’ mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. For additional information, go to the organization’s web site at www.marchofdimes.com/maine.

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