John Lunt Friend of Technology Award

The John Lunt Friend of Technology award was established by ACTEM in 2006 as a way to recognize individuals that have made a significant contribution to education and technology in Maine.  

The award is named after John Lunt - one of the founding members of ACTEM.  John served as president of ACTEM for six years and also chaired our annual MAINEducation conference for over ten years.  

John Lunt and former Governor Angus King were the first recipients of the Friend of Technology award in 2006.

Jeff Letourneau

Jeff Letourneau was the Executive Director of Networkmaine at the University of Maine System where he was responsible for the communications infrastructure supporting the System's seven universities. 

Jeff’s tenure at Networkmaine as Executive Director spanned over 30 years, shaping the backbone of educational connectivity in Maine. 

Jeff was involved in Maine’s first-ever internet connection in the late 1980s, Maine’s first cable-based broadband network and the Maine School and Library Network--first of its kind in the nation. 

His team at Networkmaine excelled in deploying Wide Area Networks that empower academic institutions to reach global resources and collaborate effectively.

Jeff oversaw the operation of Maine’s Research and Education network servicing approximately 1,000 K-12 schools, public libraries, higher-education, research, government and other non-profit entities in Maine.

Jeff was the catalyst behind and co-author of the $25M Three Ring Binder Federal grant that created three "rings" of fiber optic infrastructure throughout Western, Northern and Downeast Maine.

Jeff states; “Teamwork was the cornerstone of our success. Harnessing collective expertise, we've fostered an environment conducive to innovation and progress in the research and education network community. My mission remains steadfast - to advance connectivity for knowledge and growth.”