About Us

Bucksport High School graduates, Shelby and Andy Silvernail, along with their grown children Koster, Spencer, and Alyssa established the Silvernail Scholarship program an initial commitment of $2 million to provide access to education and remove barriers.

Meet our Founders

Both Shelby and Andy share their excitement to invest in Maine’s youth, help them achieve their dreams, and continue the pattern of mentorship.

“As a kid and teenager, I had very little direction,” said Andy. “My mentors didn’t hold my background or socioeconomic status against me. They saw potential, invested in me, and I am forever grateful.”

Andy Silvernail, BHS class of ’89, was fortunate to find mentors in teachers, coaches, and friends’ parents while growing up in Bucksport.

In addition to the Silvernail Scholars program, Shelby and Andy have established scholarships at BHS, the Silvernail Award for academic and athletic excellence for the Little Ten football conference, and continue to invest in the arts, athletics, STEM, and robotics in the RSU 25 school system.

Andy Silvernail

Andy is the CEO of International Paper.

He is the founder, Chairperson, and CEO of 5 Nails, LLC, a private investment and advisory firm that unleashes the potential of industrial, life science, and consumer products companies. Previously, he was an Executive Advisor to KKR. Andy has also been Chair & CEO of both IDEX Corporation and Madison Industries.

Andy serves on the board of directors of Stryker Corporation and is a member of the 2012 Class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute.

Shelby Silvernail

Shelby is a founding director and development chair for Paws for Patrick, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting young people with emotional support animals and therapy dogs to aid them as they live with mental illness.

She serves on the board of directors for the Washington Cabinet of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

She also worked as a Physical Therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation, a world leader in advanced rehabilitation treatment and research.