Maine Senate Confirms Vaughan Woodruff as Chair of the State Workforce Development Board

October 5, 2026

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Autumn Mahoney, Communications Specialist [email protected]

AUGUSTA - The Maine Senate confirmed Vaughan Woodruff, principal of EquinoxDG, to a second term as chair of the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB). Gov. Janet Mills announced her nomination of Woodruff on Sept. 8, 2026. Woodruff has served as chair of the SWDB since 2023.

Prior to founding EquinoxDG, Woodruff was vice president of regulatory reform at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and vice president of workforce development and interconnection strategy at ReVision Energy, where he oversaw the company's long-term strategic vision for training and talent development and developed nationally recognized registered apprenticeships in clean energy.

"The State Workforce Development Board plays a critical role in coordinating Maine's workforce development efforts to support economic growth and address workforce challenges," said Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. "Vaughan Woodruff is a well-respected business leader with deep workforce expertise. His continued leadership will help maintain momentum as we strengthen Maine's workforce and economy."

"I appreciate the trust that Gov. Mills and the Maine Senate have placed in me through my nomination and confirmation to continue serving the people of Maine in this role," said Woodruff. "I feel privileged to work with the outstanding staff and members of the Board to increase the accessibility of the workforce system to Maine workers and businesses and to proactively address the workforce challenges ahead of us."

Woodruff is a seventh-generation Maine native who was raised in Pittsfield. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine and a master's degree in education from Prescott College in Arizona. Woodruff was the founder and CEO of Insource Renewables, an employee-owned solar company that was recognized as a Best for the World for Workers company by B Lab prior to its acquisition by ReVision Energy in 2021.

During Woodruff's tenure as chair, the SWDB has:

• Launched Work Source Maine, the state's online resource connecting job seekers, students, parents, educators, career counselors and employers with resources to explore, plan and achieve career and workforce goals;

• Launched the Maine Workforce Pell program, which expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to approved short-term, career-focused training programs that deliver industry-recognized credentials and measurable employment results, preparing students for in-demand occupations; and

• Secured $15M+ in funding to support industry partnerships in advanced manufacturing, forest bioproducts and defense, and expand career exploration, job supports, and upskilling investments including registered pre-apprenticeships

As chair, Woodruff will continue to work with the SWDB, state agencies, education and training providers, employers and other partners to strengthen Maine's workforce development system and help connect Maine people with career opportunities.

Woodruff serves on the Electrical Technologies Advisory Committee at Kennebec Valley Community College and previously served on the Western Mountains Committee of the Maine Community Foundation and the Pittsfield Planning Board. Woodruff lives in Pittsfield with his wife, Holly Zadra, and their two sons, Eamon and Goran.

PHOTO AVAILABLE HERE: ">https://www.maine.gov/labor/images/2026/Vaughan_Woodruff.jpg