Hillsborough, New Hampshire (December 4, 2024) - Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has selected Michael “Mike” Kenney of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, as the winner of the Bank’s Honor a Veteran Contest. The contest gave members of the public the opportunity to nominate a veteran living in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont who deserves recognition for their service to our country. After reviewing hundreds of nominations, the Bank selected Kenney, who served in the United States Navy for 18 years.
As the winner of the contest, Kenney received $1,000. He was also given the opportunity to select the recipient of a $1,000 donation made by the Bank to a nonprofit organization serving veterans. Kenney selected Liberty House, a nonprofit organization in Manchester, New Hampshire, that serves homeless and struggling veterans on their journey to independence and self-sufficiency.
“The Honor a Veteran Contest gave us a wonderful opportunity to get to know and read stories about the veterans living in Northern New England, as written with affection by their friends and families,” said Joseph Schmitt, Senior Vice President, Director of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We are honored to select Mike Kenney as our contest winner. Not only did he serve with honor for nearly two decades, he took the skills he learned in the United States Navy and used them to help so many others prepare for brighter futures.”
Kenney enlisted in the United States Navy in 1975 and selected the Data Systems Technician program as his occupational specialty. After attending several technical schools, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Gridley homeported in San Diego, California. Later in his military career, Kenney provided technical training for subordinates and officers alike. During his stint with the United States Navy, he received seven ribbons and six medals, including the Navy Expeditionary and Humanitarian Service medal. Kenney retired at the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1993 after 18 years of service.
After retiring from the United States Navy, Kenney taught computer technology for 25 years at various private and technical schools including Boston University. His focus was workforce development training for adults who lost their jobs. Since 2008, Kenney has served as a part-time adjunct professor at NHTI, where he specializes in teaching literacy. He currently serves on the board for the Hillsboro-Deering Cooperative School District (SAU 34).
In addition to his professional career, Kenney served in the Civil Air Patrol for 17 years after his tenure with the United States Navy. He retired as a major earlier this year. Kenney belongs to three national veteran organizations: Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 483 in Nashua, New Hampshire; American Legion - Young and Richardson Post 59 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire; and La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux 40/8 American Legion Honor Society in Concord, New Hampshire.
Kenney has two children and four grandchildren.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $4 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.
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Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees present Mike Kenney, winner of the Bank’s Honor a Veteran Contest, with a check. Pictured from left to right: (first row) Mike Kenney; (second row) Brianna Douglas, Assistant Branch Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust; Amy Sebastian, Customer Service Representative at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust; Kathleen Farmer; Shelley Griswold, VP Branch Relationship Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust; and Cortney Dillon, Personal Banker at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.