ImageOur presenter/program at Rotary this week will be Michael F. Brennan, M.A., MSW, LCSW; Mayor of the City of Portland.

Michael F. Brennan is the first popularly-elected Mayor for the City of Portland in nearly nine decades. As the city’s top elected official, Brennan has initiated several initiatives designed to encourage economic development and job creation as well as support and strengthen the city’s diverse neighborhoods. He represents the city interests in Augusta and Washington DC where he advocates for the city, its residents and businesses.

Prior to his election as Mayor, Brennan worked as a Policy Associate with the Cutler Institute of Child and Family Policy at the Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, specializing in education and health. Before joining the Cutler Institute, Brennan worked as the Director of Community Initiatives at United Way of Greater Portland, as well as for the Coastal Economic Development Corporation, and as the executive director of the Cumberland County Affordable Housing Venture.  Brennan has also been an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England.

In addition to working at the Muskie School, Michael served as a State Senator in the Maine Legislature representing Portland, Falmouth and Westbrook.  Brennan was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was elected Senate Majority Leader in 2004.  Prior to being a State Senator, he was elected to the House of Representatives for four terms between 1992 and 2000 representing Portland.  During his tenure, Brennan was involved with several groundbreaking pieces of legislation including the laptop program to provide every Maine student with a computer, efforts to reduce the negative impacts of No Child Left Behind, and programs to expand healthcare access to all Mainers, a model used by other states and the nation in adopting universal healthcare.

Brennan has been a proud and active resident of the City of Portland for more than three decades. He lives in the Back Cove neighborhood with his wife.