Marco Orlando
Marco Orlando was born and raised in the Bangor-Brewer area. From an early age, he has enjoyed the lifelong process of learning. He graduated from Brewer High School in 2003 in the top 10% of his graduating class. He was also the final graduate of Beal College’s “office management” Associate Degree program in 2009.
Marco has a particular aptitude for social and human services. He cares a lot about other people in his life who are important to him. Marco has acquired a wealth of experience from working part-time office jobs in the field for much of his adult life. He has also benefitted from both giving and receiving such services since he was 14, which gives him an interesting perspective on how certain aspects of social and human services can improve.
Marco began getting involved with Speaking Up For Us in October 2012, and has presided over meetings of the Bangor chapter from the moment he arrived. Disability rights efforts have become a more important part of his life in recent times since then, and he would like to use some of his writings to educate people and advocate for disability rights efforts in Maine. Marco believes very strongly in making life better for everyone with a disability and will fight for the changes that they want to see in all aspects of their everyday lives.
Building on the breakout year he had in 2019, Marco really started coming into his own as an advocate during the current pandemic. He emerged as a competent leader in 2020, capable of facilitating effective and meaningful change during uncertain times as the statewide organization began adapting to new ways of conducting business with their numerous partners and affiliates. When he wasn’t busy blogging for SUFU, Marco enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree program through Western Governors University, an online university based out of Salt Lake City, and he also took a driver’s ed course during the summer to earn his permit and passed the road test to get his drivers license in 2021. His efforts were handsomely rewarded in the form of the coveted 2020 Paige Barton Award, one of SUFU’s highest honors.
Marco is just a few classes away from his Bachelor’s Degree and is anticipating graduation in March 2024.
Marco is the current Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.
