Published by Penbay Pilot on October 6, 2026.
ROCKLAND — Patrick “Pat” Keliher and Mark Rodrigues have been elected to the Island Institute’s Board of Trustees.
According to an Island Institute news release, Keliher and Rodrigues bring decades of leadership and expertise that will support Island Institute’s mission to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.
“Island Institute is fortunate to have a board that brings together leaders with diverse perspectives, strong connections to Maine’s coast, and a shared commitment to our mission,” said Doug Henderson, chair of the board of trustees. “Pat and Mark are tremendous additions to that group, and we look forward to the experience, insight and leadership they bring.”
“Pat and Mark bring distinct expertise that will strengthen Island Institute’s board and our mission impact,” said Kimberly A. Hamilton, Ph.D., president of Island Institute. “Pat’s deep knowledge of Maine’s marine resources and working waterfront communities and Mark’s experience in business and organizational leadership bring valuable perspectives to our work.”
Pat Keliher brings decades of experience working with Maine’s natural resources, beginning with fishing and lobstering in Casco Bay. In his twenties, he became a registered Maine hunting guide and charter boat captain. He then became executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association of Maine and later served as director of its New England state chapters. Keliher recently retired after serving as Maine’s Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources, a role he held since 2012. He also served as chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission from 2019 to 2021 and on the New England Fishery Management Council.
“Throughout his career, he has been a respected leader in fisheries management, marine conservation, and public policy, working to balance the long-term health of Maine’s marine resources with the needs of coastal communities and working waterfronts,” said the Island Institute. Keliher resides in Gardiner.
Mark Rodrigues brings more than 35 years of experience at the intersection of technology and financial services, according to the news release. As a senior partner at Oliver Wyman, he founded the firm’s Digital Practice. Later, he led global sales at Thomson Reuters, where he was a host at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. As an investor, he has served on more than 15 boards in São Paulo, Singapore, Montreal, and Brussels. He has advised private equity and venture capital firms such as Aquiline and Illuminate Financial, where he was a general partner. Rodrigues holds an MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and splits his time between Brooklin, Maine and New York City.
Read more (You may encounter a paywall).
