Barbara Talamo and John Kauer bought an old farmhouse on Islesboro in 1987 as a coastal retreat and gradually rehabbed it to a year-round house, becoming engaged in the warm island community of sailors, gardeners, sewers, land-restorers and residents, both year-round and summer.  We both love the island and have become involved in promoting affordable housing. As a way to contribute to this vibrant community, Barbara joined the board of IAP in 2012 and eventually became Chairman of the Board—suddenly a very active role when Executive Director Rick Rogers retired in 2024.  Her background as a scientific researcher, teacher and administrator (department chair)  in medical education included  management and grant writing experience.  This has been useful during the recent phase of reorganization of the IAP board and a successful 2025 campaign to generate resources and add to the number of affordable rentals owned and managed for island residents.

Haven’s roots as a seasonal resident of Islesboro date back to the 1890s.  In addition to spending much of each summer on the island with his wife, Molly, and three children, he can often be found on the island on winter weekends when he sneaks up from Boston to work on his house and property.  

Recognizing a clear need for safe, warm, and affordable housing on the island, Haven joined Islesboro Affordable Property to help support and help sustain the Islesboro community.

Haven brings a professional background as a strategy consultant in the education sector.  He also brings a deep personal interest in building and properties.  He is a senior Partner at EY-Parthenon, a global strategy firm in Boston, and also serves on the boards of directors of the Boston Collegiate Charter School, The Landing School, and Islesboro Islands Trust.  He is passionate about supporting the island community for future generations of Islesboro residents, both year-round and seasonal.

Todd’s connection to Islesboro began in 1977. Between 1986 and 1993, he spent three months each year working across the island—at Leach’s Express, Dark Harbor Boat Yard, The Blue Heron, and as a private boat captain. Those formative years allowed Todd to build deep-rooted relationships from Turtle Head to Pendleton Point. That sense of community and belonging is what he loves most about Islesboro.   Todd is thrilled to share that connection today with his wife, Claire, and their children, Olivia and George.

Todd was recruited to the board by Phyllis Collins, who reached out to expand the board. Once he understood the mission, Todd was eager to contribute. Todd recognizes that the vibrant, functioning community we love simply wouldn't exist without the essential roles filled by IAP residents.

It is the combination of enduring relationships, a profound sense of community, and the unparalleled natural beauty of life on the water that drives Todd’s love for the island. These elements create a unique environment that keeps the Conklin family coming back year after year.

As a member of the Finance Committee, Todd leverages his professional background in finance to support IAP’s long-term financial stability. Beyond the numbers, we have a tremendously talented and diverse board, and Todd is always happy to assist with project management for any of our short or long-term strategic goals.

Pete is originally from St. George, ME. His relationship with Islesboro began in 2005 as a high-school magnet student at Islesboro Central School. Pete expanded that relationship by spending college vacations working and living on Islesboro. Pete became a year-round Island resident in the winter of 2016.

Pete’s initial involvement with IAP began when he became a tenant in an IAP residence in 2018. He eventually took on the role of Director and Property Manager for IAP.

The extremely supportive community Pete discovered on Islesboro as a teenager shaped his development as an adult, and he feels this is truly what makes life on Islesboro so special. His love for this town and its people eventually led him to work for the Islesboro Central School, a place that gave him so much as a young person. Pete is very proud to live and work in the community that took him in as if he were one of their own. Pete relishes the opportunity to work in a position where he can help grow the community by providing housing for our working population.

During his college years, Pete sat on the executive boards of multiple student organizations, most notably as President of the UMF Students for Sensible Drug Policy. In that role, he found himself traveling and lobbying at both the state and federal levels in support of several social policies. Pete also served in the Office of Financial Affairs for the UMF Student Senate.

Pete’s college studies focused on Geography (primarily land use and regulation) and Business Economics. He is currently serving his first term as Vice-Chair of the Islesboro Select Board, and his third term as a member of said Board.

Cate is the Public Policy Director at Maine People's Alliance, where she leads the development of MPA’s policy agenda and legislative strategy, in close collaboration with members and allies, to advance their mission and meet the moment. She has spent her career working to connect the people most excluded from state and local decision-making to the process and supporting them in shaping solutions. She has worked on housing, hunger, consumer protections, fiscal policy, the establishment of universal benefits like retirement and paid leave, and many other issues. 

She holds a BA from UMaine and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.  She uses her knowledge and experience to ensure others can actively participate in developing policy solutions. 

Cate is a year-round Islesboro resident with her husband and two children.

Earl moved to Islesboro in 1973 upon completion of both his education and his military service.  In 1977, Earl founded Islesboro Marine, which he owned and operated until 1988.  Earl built the water taxi, Quicksilver, in 1992.  He operated the service to meet the needs of Islesboro Central School and those of Islesboro residents who required transportation to and from the mainland when the ferry was not operating.  Earl and his wife Bonnie have owned, operated, and chartered the schooner Flying Fish, as well as a USCG offshore-certified Brigantine, the Bonnie Lynn.  They sailed many routes from Canada and the US East Coast down to the Caribbean.  They also made transatlantic trips with stops in the Canary Islands, the Azores, Portugal, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Earl and Bonnie raised two sons on the Island.  He also actively served the Islesboro community as a member of the Select Board, as Harbor Master and member of the Harbor Committee and the board of the Community Fund.

Earl also has extensive experience in both building and managing large construction projects both on Islesboro and in Belfast, ME

Michael and his wife Barbara have been seasonal visitors to Islesboro for over 3 decades.  They relocated permanently to the Island in 2020.  Initially drawn to the Island due to family connections, the decision to make a permanent move was based not just on family but also on the island's beauty, the active community, and the residents' focus on making Islesboro an involved and caring place to live.

Michael has an extensive background in corporate finance, operations, and logistics.  He has held executive positions in both the technology and international shipping sectors.  He also has program management experience in the non-profit sector, working for an agency serving the homeless.

In addition to serving on the IAP Board, Michael is also a board member of the non-profit Islesboro Economic Sustainability Corporation.  Additionally, he chairs Islesboro’s Housing Committee.

Craig, his wife, Melissa, and daughters EvaMarie, Olivia, and Isabelle moved to Islesboro in 2001.  Craig has an extensive background in nonprofit management, municipal government, and small business ownership.  Craig was the Executive Director of Islesboro Affordable Property from 2002-2004 and is happy to have the opportunity to serve this important organization once again.  Craig served eight years on the Islesboro Planning Board and three years as an elected member of the Board of Selectmen, including one year as its Chair.  He has also served on various community committees and ran the Town of Islesboro’s Transfer Station from 2016 to 2018.  A longtime bookseller, Craig sold his last book business, Craig Olson Books, in late 2025.  Craig loves that Islesboro always prioritizes community first.

Ned has spent the past 60 years visiting in the summer, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  He loves the relationships a small community allows.  The natural beauty of Islesboro and the wildlife of Penobscot Bay never get old.  Having witnessed the changes to the island from the 1970's through today, it is clear we all need to protect and support the community wherever possible.  Ned’s passion for Islesboro Affordable Property comes from the need to support anyone who is trying to earn a living on the island.  Reasonable housing allows families to remain on the island, send kids to the Island School, and participate in the community.  He feels that housing is a problem we can fix.  Housing is the foundation of all other community functions.

Ned and his wife, Mary Truslow, have two grown children.  They plan to live on the island for at least 6 months of the year for the rest of their lives.

Ned’s skills and experience are grounded in a career focused on working with companies and organizations that promote growth and prosperity.  Ned also has deep and strong relationships throughout the Islesboro Community.

Virginia graduated from Foxcroft School and Briarcliff College.  She is a third-generation Islesboro and has been a valued fundraiser for Christ Church in Islesboro.  Virginia is also a tireless fundraiser for several other philanthropic organizations. 

She loves Islesboro and is diligent in helping many local organizations. 

Sam is a third-generation seasonal resident of Islesboro. His family's connection to the island spans decades, and it has been a cherished part of his life since childhood.

Sam became involved with Islesboro Affordable Property after learning about the lack of rental options available to island residents. After attending one of IAP's fundraising events, he was inspired to join the board, where he saw an opportunity to apply his expertise in affordable housing development to directly benefit a community he deeply cares about.

Sam articulated that what he loves most about Islesboro is its close-knit community — one that endures and deepens across generations. He cherishes the fact that the grandchildren of some of his grandparents' friends are now some of his closest friends. That kind of continuity and connection is rare, and it's what makes Islesboro feel like home.

Sam brings a strong background in real estate development to the board. He studied Real Estate at the University of Southern California and has spent over eight years working on more than $8 billion in ground-up residential and mixed-use developments across New York City, South Florida, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Sam also has hands-on experience underwriting real estate transactions and capitalizing & entitling complex projects. Sam is quite eager to put that expertise to work in support of IAP's mission.

Susan first came to Islesboro in 1961 on a camping trip with her family.  That trip was followed by yearly summer visits to a camp on Spruce Island. Upon Susan's retirement, she relocated to Islesboro, as it was the only place she wanted to live because of its natural beauty and quiet, plus the Island has a year-round community committed to the well-being of our island and the people who live and work here. 

Susan believes that the most important factor in maintaining the island community's ongoing viability is ensuring there is truly affordable housing (not just “market rate”) for year-round residents. For this reason she sought a position on IAP’s Board, as well as on the town's Housing Committee. 

Susan brings to IAP broad experience with non-profit leadership, board membership, problem-solving, written communication, and some grant writing experience.

Nick is a fourth-generation Islesboro "summer person," having spent portions of every summer on Islesboro.  The absolute beauty, strong community, and a chance to connect with dozens of cousins and friends are highlights of his yearly visits.

Nick was recruited to the IAP Board by then board member Susan Crater.  He was tapped due to his experience/career in developing affordable housing. His knowledge gained in a career focused on developing affordable housing in Northern California, along with a strong belief that high-quality affordable housing is essential for the long-term health of Islesboro, is an asset to the organization. Nick works for Related California, one of the largest developers of affordable housing in the US. With IAP, Nick helps the board understand local, state, and national affordable housing funding sources plus he provides compliance advice related to these funding sources, as well as how to adhere to governmental compliance policies.