Event Details
Thursday, November 13, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wishcamper Center
USM Portland Campus
Join us for an engaging conversation on leadership and purpose in public service, featuring Peter J. Crichton, author of Leading with My Glass Half Full. The Forward to this book was provided by Don Nicoll. Drawing on a 35-year career in public service, Crichton will share personal stories and practical lessons on resilience, collaboration, and community impact. Peter J. Crichton began his 35 year career in public service as economic development director in his Aroostook County hometown of Mars Hill. He served as superintendent of public works and assistant city administrator for the City of Lewiston for a decade. Following this he was the county manager for Cumberland County, Maine for nearly twenty years, completing his career as city manager of Auburn, Maine where he retired in July of 2020.
Peter Crichton will be joined by Carolyn Arcand, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Muskie School of Public Service, who will offer insight from her research and moderate a panel of Maine practitioners working across government and nonprofit sectors. This event explores what it takes to lead with integrity and optimism in today’s complex public arena.
Panelists
Neal Allen, Muskie Board of Visitors member, former Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
Larissa Crocket, Muskie Board of Visitors member, and MPPM Advisory Committee, and Executive Director, Neighborhood Housing Trust, and former Assistant Town Manager, Scarborough, ME.
Joshua Reny, Assistant City Manager, South Portland and MPPM advisory committee member.