Lisa Rowe stands next to the banner of United Way on Friday, Jan. 6. Rowe is joining the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area as their new finance director and she is thrilled to be on board. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

FARMINGTON — Lisa Rowe, formerly the finance director of LEAP [Life Enrichment Advancing People], has joined the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area [UWTVA] as their new finance director.

Rowe will be replacing Kendra Baker, who has moved into the position of executive director for UWTVA, and her first official day was Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Rowe was the finance director for LEAP for over 20 years and said moving on was not an easy decision to make.

“I’m at a point in my career, and in my life, that I want to get to know my community a little bit more,” she said. “I worked at LEAP for 22 years and I loved it. I love the mission. I love LEAP but I was just looking to expand. See if you can teach old dogs’ new tricks, you know?”

Rowe said she found the position by pure coincidence.

“I was buying tickets for a dance recital, and I recognized Chelsea Whittier [Director of Community Engagement at UWTVA]. We were just talking. She just happened to say that this was open.”

On top of keeping track of the books, Rowe is also eager to help in any upcoming events that UWTVA has in store for the community.

“I’m very excited to be part of this, because not only will I be keeping the books, but I’ll be rolling my sleeves up and delving in with the fundraising events and really getting to know the community, which is what I need,” she said.

As for community events, UWTVA’s first event is set to occur on Saturday, Jan. 17, with a dodge ball tournament taking place at UMF’s fitness center from 9 a.m. to 12. p.m. According to Whittier, four teams have signed up and they are expecting more.

“We had it for three years prior to the pandemic and unfortunately, haven’t been able to have it since then. So, this is our first year back,” she said. “We have adult teams, and we have kid teams. [We also] have local businesses that have teams, we have the sheriff’s office, the police department, everybody comes together, and it’s a great little fundraiser.”

Registration for the dodgeball tournament prior to the day can be done at UWTVA’s website, by contacting them at 207-778-5048. Teams are also encouraged to register in person on the day of the tournament.

On Feb. 18, UWTVA will be hosting a brand-new event at the Farmington Elks Lodge, located at 120 School St. in West Farmington, called the Pump Up the Jam, featuring DJ/Karaoke group Dreamin’ Big. Tickets for the event can be purchased at UWTVA’s website.

“So, this is a dance through the decades,” Whittier stated. “We’re really going to be focusing on different music from all the decades. People can request songs ahead of time, they can request songs there. It’s a 21 plus event, there will be a bar there provided by the Elks Lodge.”

UWTVA will also be making a big move with their Great Charity Auction, which is set to take place in May of this year with a new name. Now called the Auction for Action, the annual event was previously held in the fall with last year’s auction being held online.

No date is set for the auction, but UWTVA are committed to having it in May. “It’s actually going to be an indoor/outdoor event in downtown Wilton,” Whittier said. “[There is a] live auction and a silent auction, that will also have food and beverages as well.”

With Rowe on board, UWTVA is excited for all their upcoming events and Rowe, especially, is thrilled to offer what she can to the events.

“It’s a weird feeling,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d ever leave LEAP, because I love it so much, but I just needed a little new spark and focus. Mostly to get to know the community. Not only the donors, but you know, the people that we help and to give back in a different way.”