After two years as FAME's acting CEO, Mello gets nomination for permanent role

File Photo / Tim Greenway Acting FAME CEO Carlos Mello has been tapped by the governor to lead the quasi-municipal agency permanently.

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By Ann Fisher

Carlos R. Mello, who has served as acting CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine since February 2021, has been nominated by Gov. Janet Mills to take over the role permanently.

Mills also nominated Blue Keim, managing director of Sappi North America's Westbrook facility, for a second term on the FAME board of directors. Keim was first appointed to the board by Mills in 2019.

Both nominations are for four-year terms and must first be reviewed by the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business before being confirmed by the Maine State Senate.

“As acting CEO of FAME, Carlos has drawn upon his knowledge, experience and financial acumen to effectively lead a crucially important financing agency for Maine people and businesses,” said Mills. “I am pleased to nominate (him) so he can continue leading FAME’s work to enhance economic and educational opportunities for Maine people.”

Mello took over as acting CEO in February 2021 after the retirement of Bruce Wagner.

“I’m greatly honored by the governor’s nomination and am excited to continue leading our dedicated team at FAME," Mellow said. "Each day we work hard to provide, in partnership with other economic development and educational entities around the state, the financial tools Maine people and businesses need to succeed.”

Mello previously served for eight years as FAME’s chief risk officer, joining the quasi-independent state agency after serving as president and CEO of Prudential Bank & Trust, FSB. He has also held other senior-level roles at Prudential, as well as at the former People’s United Bank. Mello is a certified financial planner and has held investment representative, investment advisors, and securities principal licenses, and is a former CPA.

He is also chair of the CEI Ventures board of directors.

The Finance Authority of Maine provides financial solutions to help Maine people achieve business and higher education goals. The authority administers a variety of business assistance programs, as well as Maine’s higher education finance programs. More information can be found at famemaine.com.