NEWPORT — Steve Mengel of Derby has joined the Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (NEKLS) Board of Directors. Mengel brings with him a long and rich experience with accounting, specifically, experience with accounting for schools. He worked for the Caledonia North Supervisory Union as their accountant and eventually retired from CNSU.
Mengel’s idea of retirement is taking on more civic service as well as growing his private accounting business in Newport.
He is involved with Orleans County Citizen’s Advocacy, Trustee for Derby Center Village, serves on the Board of Directors for the United Christian Academy, teaches Adult Sunday School at the Derby Community Church, and is on the Board of Directors for the Life Center of the NEK.
He is also an alternate for the Town of Derby Zoning Board and is Assistant Treasurer for the town of Coventry.
One might wonder how Mengel had time to join another board or why he would. Mengel says it all started after chatting with a present NEKLS Board Member, Laura St. Onge.
“I was connected with NEKLS vaguely through Caledonia North Supervisory Union, but I had no idea until I spoke with Laura about all the things NEKLS does,” Mengel said. “It’s impressive.”
In January of 2017, Mengel attended an NEKLS board meeting. By late spring, he joined and says he is happy to stay on.
“I really enjoy the board, and I realized I know a number of NEKLS employees,” he said. “They’re fine people.”
When Mengel isn’t knee-deep in civic volunteerism, he enjoys continuing his 60 years of being an avid baseball fan, spending time hiking in the outdoors when he can, and caring for three rescue animals, a dog named Benji who spends days with him at the office, and two cats, Buttons and Sophie.
What an involved and kind man!