The QC2 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a strong governance model
The QC2 lab is a nonprofit organization that is funded by the Maine Economic Improvement Fund (MEIF). 100% of our testing revenue is used to fund student lab technician positions and to maintain lab operations. Since our founding in 2016, the lab has been able to hire and train over thirty USM students, helping each and every one of them explore a career in STEM.
Proceeds also go towards student trips and conferences, where students are able to network with future employers and get to know brewery operations outside of the lab.
The QC2 Advisory Board, made up of industry partners, plays a pivotal role in ensuring QC2 operations stay aligned with the original mission of the lab.
QC2 Leadership
QC2 Advisory Board
Tracey Meagher
Zach Bodah
Tom Madden
Merritt Waldron
Lisa Kellndorfer
Our Founding
Luci Benedict
The QC2 lab was founded by Luci Benedict in 2016. It all started from a couple of conversations with the Quality Control Manager at Allagash Brewing Company and the head brewer at Rising Tide Brewing Company. Luci had a need to find real world lab experiences for her students, and the breweries had a need for their beer to be tested for important quality control parameters. Lucky for everyone those two needs fit perfectly together. We collaborated with the Maine Brewers Guild to secure seed funding from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund at the University of Southern Maine (MEIF@USM) to build the lab in 2014. With MEIF@USM funding we built a lab that has top of the line instrumentation and equipment essential for testing and research, that is run by our trained undergraduate students, and is a great resource to our Maine brewers.