Building Resilience Through Service

E. Russell Grady, Jr. has spent more than 25 years responding to crises in York County. As a firefighter for the Town of Kennebunkport and former Corrections Counselor with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, he has seen firsthand how substance use, addiction, and public safety intersect in communities across Maine.

Today, Grady serves on the First County Foundation (FCF) Board of Directors while maintaining his dual roles as Co-owner and Associate Broker at Lighthouse Real Estate Group in Kennebunk and Lead Solutions Engineer at CCC Intelligent Solutions in Chicago. His career bridges hands-on community service with innovative problem-solving—a combination that shapes his approach to FCF’s mission.

The connection runs deeper than professional experience.

“You see the impact on families and neighborhoods,” Grady says of his firefighting work. “Supporting people through recovery and helping first responders do their jobs safely—those things are inseparable.”

Like many Americans, Grady has lost someone he knew to overdose. He was introduced to FCF by Board Chair Billy Shore and resonated immediately with the organization’s approach to creating strong, healthy communities by supporting both recovery and first responders.

His corrections background gave him early insight into the complex relationship between substance use and the justice system. Five years as a Corrections Counselor showed him how addiction affects not just individuals, but entire families and communities.

His perspective informs his work with FCF today.

“Every sector has its own way of building resilience,” he notes. “Whether it’s a family finding housing, a firefighter responding to a call, or a nonprofit stretching every dollar—each one matters.”

Grady’s professional background spans auto insurance technology, real estate, and mission-driven community work. At CCC Intelligent Solutions, he brings a systems-level approach to challenges. In real estate, he helps families and businesses put down roots in southern Maine.

Grady’s diverse experience shapes how he thinks about FCF, as its dual focus on recovery services and first-responder training reflects what he sees as an essential partnership.

“We have people in crisis who need help, and we have first responders who need the tools and training to help them safely,” he explains. “FCF connects those dots.”

Grady also serves on the board of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, where he has learned the importance of long-term stewardship—an ethic he brings to FCF. He sees clear parallels between conservation and community health, as both require sustainable, mission-driven approaches to deliver lasting impact.

“We have a duty to make sure these resources are here for the next generation,” he says of FCF’s First Responder Training Center and Substance Use Treatment Center. “That means smart stewardship and making sure the burden doesn’t fall on taxpayers.”

On the FCF Board, Grady’s priorities include expanding awareness of the organization’s work, strengthening its financial foundation, and ensuring the long-term viability of both facilities. His approach reflects his firefighting background: prepare thoroughly, respond effectively, and always think about the next call.

FCF Chief Advancement Officer Rachel Stansfield notes that Grady’s deep understanding of both public safety and community health makes him an invaluable partner in advancing the organization’s mission. “His leadership helps ensure our initiatives have lasting impact across York County,” she says.