Augusta-Heather Hemphill, Travis Mills Foundation CEO, Finalist for Kenney Award

Heather Hemphill, Travis Mills Foundation CEO, Finalist for Kenney Award
Kennebec Valley Chamber Annual Kenney Awards to be Held Jan. 26

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Heather Hemphill, Executive Director of the nonprofit Travis Mills Foundation,
has been nominated for the Cynergy Professional Award by the Kennebec Valley Chamber for the 2024
Kenney Awards.
“It’s so exciting to see these three wonderful representatives of the community being recognized for their
dedication to making the Kennebec Valley region a better place to live and work,” according to an
announcement from KV Chamber.
Nominees in this category are Kennebec Valley professionals and for at least the past two years, they
have shown exemplary leadership throughout the region. These individuals are recognized for their longterm commitment to the betterment of the Kennebec Valley.
Hemphill has been with the Travis Mills Foundation in Rome, Maine, since 2019, serving as CFO before
she was appointed to her current role in October 2022.
“Heather hit the ground running in her role as Executive Director of the Foundation,” said U.S. Army
SSG Travis Mills, the organization’s Founder and President. “Her nomination for the Cynergy
Professional Award is a testament to her leadership and professionalism not only within the Travis Mills
Foundation, but the greater Kennebec Valley community.”
“I’m humbled by this nomination and grateful for the opportunity to be recognized as a leader in the
community where I’m privileged to work and live,” Hemphill said. “Thank you to the Kennebec Valley
Chamber for this incredible recognition. I’d also like to offer my sincere appreciation to the TMF Board,
Travis, Kelsey and and our staff; I’m honored to to carry out the very special mission of the Travis Mills
Foundation.”
Mills and his wife, Kelsey, were inspired to open the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in after
Travis lost portions of his limbs in an IED explosion during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2012.
The Travis Mills Foundation supports post-911 recalibrated veterans and their families through various
programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen
their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
We support these veterans through our nationally recognized retreat located in the Belgrade Lakes Region
of Maine. Veteran families who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our
nation receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid, barrier-free experience in Maine where they participate
in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in
Maine’s outdoors.
Also nominated for the Cynergy Professional Award was Amanda Cooley of Kennebec Savings Bank and
Ben Gagnon of Serra Public Affairs. The Kenney Awards will be held Friday, January 26, 2024, at
Augusta Civic Center.