A former Amy paratrooper who served in the war in Viet Nam, he thereafter followed his interest in wildlife, gardening and nature preservation while at the same time pursuing a banking career that began in the Boston area.

When approached by the directors to join the board, McKenna accepted the three-year appointment because, he said, " I believe in preserving land and in show-casing the natural beauty of Maine and the botanical gardens does both." The gardens are located in Boothbay along the tidal shoreline of the Back River. A network of nature trails for the public to enjoy is being developed on the 128-acre preserve.

The offices and a small library are currently located on Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor. The botanical group envisions a future visitor center for administration, research and education at the Boothbay site on Barter's Island Road.

The 14-member board is headed by Claire Hunt, Ph.D., of Boothbay. CMBG membership is nearing 1,000 persons, both in-state and out-of-state residents. McKenna will work on the budget and finance team with Bruce Bartlett of Damariscotta, who is the treasurer.

Active in various non-profit groups as long as he has been in banking, Mr. McKenna currently also serves on the boards of two land trusts in Maine. Earlier in his career, while living in the Boston area, he helped Framingham's "Garden in the Woods," now a well-established nature preserve which CMBG members recently visited and view as a useful model for the developing Boothbay endeavor.

Gene McKenna and his wife Jane live in Bowdoinham.

For information about membership and ongoing programs please call 633-4333.