FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2013
Contact: Barbara Redmond
207-626-8400

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap Awards the Honorable Carol A. Kontos with NASS Medallion

AUGUSTA – In recognition of her decades of service to the people of Maine and in honor of her retirement from more than 30 years with the University of Maine at Augusta, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap was pleased to award Carol Kontos with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion on Wednesday.  The NASS Medallion was created to honor those who exemplify values and service that serve the public interest in the areas of voting access, civic education, state government, or local philanthropy.

The Honorable Carol A. Kontos of Windham was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1991, serving four terms, including one term as House Majority Leader, and subsequent service in the Maine Senate. After retiring from the Legislature, Kontos continued her contributions to public service through editing Maine Remembers Those Who Served, a compilation of submissions received from families participating in Maine's Vote in Honor of a Veteran program, which she helped develop. She has served on the Secretary of State's Volunteer Ballot Question Clarity Board and has provided advice and support for many Secretaries of State in voter outreach and children's education programs.

?As a leader in the Maine Legislature, Carol was an outspoken advocate for the integrity of the elections process and the transparency, accountability, and accessibility of elections to the citizenry,? said Dunlap.? ?Her entire career has been driven by public service to voters, students and veterans.? I am proud to count her as a friend and wish her well on the next chapter of her journey.?

This is the third NASS Medallion Secretary Dunlap has awarded since 2001.  The previous recipients were in 2006 to Irma Bowles, Registrar of voters from Livermore, and in 2008 to Paul Jacques, Director of Dirigo Boys State in 2008.  Each Secretary of State is eligible to award up to five Medallions a year for his or her state. 

Ms. Kontos is retiring from University of Maine at Augusta this year after a distinguished 32 year career serving as the Director of Assessment and an Associate Professor of English.

For more information please contact Barbara Redmond, Chief Deputy Secretary of State at Barbara.Redmond@maine.gov or 207-624-8400.