Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2011

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | January 20, 2011 | 3

This advertising supplement was produced by the following Bangor Daily News staff:

Cover Design: Josh Alves; Advertising: Linda Hayes; Articles: Debra Bell,David M. Fitzpatrick, Sheila Grant, Richard R. Shaw, Brian Swartz; Chambereditorial provided by committee chairs; Photography: Debra Bell, NEWS filephotos, some photos provided by BRCC. Layout: Debra Bell.

Cover printed by Snowman Printing in Hermon; Inside pages printed at theBangor Daily News Hampden Plant on paper made by a Maine company.

By John Porter, BRCC President

When I joined the Bangor RegionChamber of Commerce as its new

president and chief executive less than a yearago, I was given a deceptively simple task:make the benefits of Chamber membershipexceed the cost of joining.

I say deceptive because our “product”isn’t one service or benefit, but an array ofinitiatives and programs aimed at fulfillingour core mission, “To promote and advancea vital, healthy business environment.”

We pursue this mission on a macro-eco-nomic level through our advocacy on thepublic policy front and our growing role inregional economic development. We alsofulfill our mission on a micro-economiclevel by giving our members access to sharedresources, expertise and networking.

Complicating this task is the fact that thevalue of any one program or Chamber ini-tiative is going to vary depending on themember business. For example, firms sellingservices and products primarily to otherlocal businesses will find our networkingevents to be an excellent way to marketthemselves, and they may join solely to takeadvantage of this.

Others may be in industries that are high-ly regulated, and those members appreciatethat the Chamber is working to keep thoseregulations reasonable.

Still others recognize that by investing inChamber membership, they are investing ingrowing our region’s economy and makinggreater Bangor a better place to live, workand play.

The Chamber is also a resource for bene-

fits such as the ChamberBlue health insur-ance. And don’t forget our programs, focus-ing on employee wellness, leadership train-ing, fostering ties with educators, engagingyoung professionals and bringing us closerto Atlantic Canada.

There is nothing simple about a staff ofseven people, with critical help from activeboard and committee members, deliveringall this “value” to more than 800 members inthe Bangor Region.

And, to be sure, with a new managementteam on the job for just 10 months, there ismuch that needs to be done to maximize allthe potential here at the Chamber, but we’vecome a long way.

Internally, we’ve adopted new and betterfinancial and budgeting procedures. We’vecleared our membership roles of dozens ofdormant, nonpaying listings. We’ve updatedour pay and benefits policies for staff. And,perhaps most significantly, we undertook acomplete reorganization of Chamber staff,which is smaller and more focused than ayear ago.

Externally, we’ve increased our involve-ment in Mobilize Maine and other regionaleconomic development initiatives. OurGovernmental Affairs group has created amechanism for responding quickly toemerging issues in Augusta and elsewhereand has taken on more urgency.

We’ve also added new events and net-working opportunities. We brought back theChamber Business Expo, which was a greatsuccess. We sponsored debates throughoutthe political season and held a very success-ful executive reception prior to the fallgubernatorial forum. We created a specialbreakfast series, “Business Revolution: Areyou ready for tomorrow?” that proved verysuccessful in highlighting issues critical toregional economic development.

All our programs adopted new bylaws in2011 and clarified their relationships with the

Chamber and our sister, 501 c(3) organiza-tion, the Bangor Region Community Council.

And finally, every nonprofit has to payattention to the bottom-line and develop-ment issues in this environment. After clear-ing our books of inactive accounts, webelieve we started the year with about 650dues-paying members. Thanks in part to aprogram underwritten by Camden NationalBank, we now boast more than 800 activemembers. We’ve also put more focus on cre-ating better opportunities for members toraise their profile through sponsorships,which benefit both the sponsors and theChamber’s bottom line.

None of this would be possible without agreat staff, especially the efforts ExecutiveVice President Karen Cole. And Board ChairMike Ballesteros, our Executive Committee,

Board of Directors and active committeemembers have provided vital and much-appreciated leadership.

We still have much to do, of course. Weneed to extend our influence as advocatesfor the business community. We should con-stantly evaluate our events and networkingopportunities to make sure they are servingour members’ needs. And our programs,thanks to the work of dedicated steeringcommittees, are and should be in a state ofcontinuous improvement.

We also have to grow to reach our goals.To that end, I will conclude with a challengeto our Board, our staff and the community:“The Bangor Region Chamber of Com-merce, 100 years old and 1,000 membersstrong.”

Together, we can do it.

OUR BUSINESS

IS

YOUR SUCCESS

Website Design• Freight Delivery• Collections• Drug Testing• Leadership & Employee • DevelopmentEmployee Assistance • Programs

To discover how our services To discover how our services can help you achieve your can help you achieve your business goals, contact:business goals, contact:

Gus DemosGus DemosBusiness Services SpecialistBusiness Services [email protected]@emh.orgcell: 207.659.9319cell: 207.659.9319office: 800.648.2727office: 800.648.2727

Our core mission: “To promote and advance a vital, healthy business environment.”

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce President’s Message

4 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | January 20, 2011

Happy Birthday, Bangor RegionChamber of Commerce! 2011 marks

the 100th anniversary of what we now know asthe Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce.

In 1911, the Chamber was formed as ameans for local merchants to come togetherto encourage trade relationships. In manyrespects not much has changed in the last 100years. The core purpose of the Chamber — tostimulate regional prosperity — has largelyremained the same. The tactics we use toencourage prosperity may have changed, butthe commitment of the business communityto grow and prosper is as strong, or stronger,than it has ever been. In this 100th year we —the Board of Directors, Chamber staff, mem-bers, volunteers, and program participants —

will come together to move the prosperity ofthe region forward like never before.

For the last two years the Chamber hasembarked on an aggressive reinvention plan.The board of directors engaged in an assess-

ment plan that ultimately resulted in organiza-tional changes designed to meet the needs ofour members and region as we move forwardinto our next century. We have a staff that weare confident has the skill set to meet thedemands of our membership, our programs,and our advocacy goals on behalf of the region.

The focus of these changes is to use theresources of the Chamber to advocate for eco-nomic development in the Region and lever-ages the area’s assets for long-term prosperity.This past year the Chamber partnered withother area organizations to take inventory ofthese regional assets and encourage discussionabout creating a strategy for moving forward.

With Mobilize Maine, Eastern MaineDevelopment Corporation, Bangor RegionDevelopment Alliance, and the Greater Ban-gor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, theChamber is helping to create a regional eco-nomic development team that works togeth-er for the benefit of all. With a belief that

business is the engine that creates opportuni-ty for everything else that exists in a commu-nity, these organizations have come togetherto collectively seek out and leverage econom-ic development opportunities for our region.Together we are creating one big engine.

The Chamber’s main role in the mix is toadvocate on behalf of its members and toconvene groups of people to work on behalfof initiatives that will serve the region. Tothat end the Chamber in 2011 will:

• Work with Fusion, a BRCC program, toattract and retain young people in the region.The Bangor region is uniquely positioned togrow its base of young people between theages of 18 and 40 by taking advantage of themany local institutions of higher learning.With the second youngest median age popu-lation in the state, the Bangor region needs tocapitalize on this asset and make sure thatthese young people have the support,

Messages from the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Board Chairs

2010 has been a year of transformation

at the Bangor Region Chamber of Com-merce. It began with the hiring of our newPresident and CEO, John Porter. With boardinput and support, John has made significantchanges in every segment of the Chamber’soperation, from accounting processes andprocedures to the addition of new personnel.Infrastructure changes and the fine tuning ofstaff responsibilities have positioned theChamber as a more effective and responsivemembership organization.

In the months previous to John’s arrival, theChamber Board implemented a comprehen-sive, examination, analysis and assessment ofthe Chamber’s performance, relative to its mis-sion. The end result of that work is a two-yearplan of strategic priorities, called “The Pillars”.

The Pillar’s goals were approved and theChamber President, staff and board, beganthe difficult task of building a high-perform-ing organization focused on creating valuefor its members and on helping this region togrow and prosper. Of critical importance tothe Chamber and its members, the Pillarsalso explicitly call for making the Chamber afinancially sound organization.

I’m very pleased with the progress theChamber has made this year and it’s my

pleasure to share with you, some specificaccomplishments, relative to our goals.

The 2010 membership goal included a fivepercent increase in the number of new mem-bers. We began 2010 with 650 members. As ofthis writing, the Bangor Region Chamber is805 members strong: a 24 percent increase. I’dlike to take this opportunity to thank CamdenNational Bank for sponsoring a MembershipDues Program, which provided generous sup-port to fund 50 percent of new member dues.

Our efforts to become a recognized advo-cate for our membership businesses andregional economic development have alsogarnered positive results in many areas.

The Chamber’s Hot Stove meetings are anexcellent example of our role in the community as

See MUNSEY, Page 5

See BALLESTEROS, Page 5

Incoming ChairJulia Munsey

Outgoing ChairMichael Ballesteros

business and economic development advocates.Subsequently, state representatives and senators

throughout our region regularly attend the meetings.With leadership from our Governmental Affairs Com-mittee, these meetings have been transformed into aforum where significant business and policy issues arediscussed candidly and openly with our state delega-tion. Representatives for both sides of the aisle often sitbeside each other and are interested in hearing whatspecific governmental or legislative issues challengeour businesses. I’m certain that some solutions to cur-rent problems facing our region will be realized by theinteractions of Chamber members and our state rep-resentatives at these meetings.

Currently the Chamber is involved in MobilizeMaine. Mobilize Maine is an umbrella economicdevelopment organization formed to create aregional strategy for growing the greater Bangoreconomy. Started with a grant from FairpointCommunications, the organization is now a free-standing coalition that includes Eastern MaineDevelopment Corporation, the Bangor RegionDevelopment Alliance, and the Chamber.

These organizations have been tapped to play spe-cific roles in our regional economic development.Eastern Maine Development Corporation will focuson business retention; The Bangor Region Develop-ment Alliance will lead business attraction; and theBRCC leads efforts in business advocacy.

Specific projects that the Chamber has collabo-rated on with EMDC and BRDA in 2010 include

expanding the Bio-med industry in our region andincreasing the use of the electronic medical recordinto rural Maine. Initiatives like these open neweducational and employment opportunities as wellas quality of care to our residents.

We also have board members who are foundingmembers of the Friends of the Maine Center. TheFriends of the Maine Center is a group of motivatedcitizens that support the building of a modern eventand convention center to replace the outdated BangorAuditorium and Civic Center. They believe, as I do,that Bangor is a destination with exceptional busi-nesses, an international airport, a developing water-front and casino and a region that offers anunmatched quality of life. In combination with theseassets, a state-of-the-art convention and event centerwill increase the draw to the Bangor Region as a busi-ness, vacation and special event destination.

I’m happy to report that the Chamber was able tohave a break-even year while making significant opera-tional changes and facing a struggling economy.

In closing, it has been my pleasure to serve as the2010 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce BoardChair. Our accomplishments in 2010 are due to thehard work of our professional staff, and the dedi-cated board members and business members thatserve the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce.As I stated last year, we reside in a region that ben-efits from socially responsible, intellectually capa-ble and civically minded individuals willing todonate time, talent and resources to make a differ-ence. To these individuals along with the dedicatedand talented Chamber staff I would like to expressmy sincere gratitude and respect.

resources and connections they needto live, work and raise a family. Fusionis a wonderful professional bridge tosupport this initiative.

• Continue to advocate for the cre-ation of the informally named MaineEvent and Conference Center to replacethe existing Bangor Auditorium. Thisnew facility is a critical component to theattraction of visitors, businesses, andyoung people settling in our region. Thenew facility will enhance a retail corridorthat stretches from Bangor InternationalAirport to the Bangor Municipal GolfCourse, through the Maine Event andConference Center, Hollywood Slots, theBangor waterfront and downtown all theway to the Bangor Mall. A contiguousdestination center that can be used toattract visitors to our area is an importantpart of the economic development mix.

• Advocate for Business Retention andDevelopment. With over 800 members,the Chamber is perfectly positioned tohelp retain and support the developmentof businesses in the Bangor region. As aresource and advocate, the Chamber hasthe opportunity to support businessgrowth and retention through its manyconnections and resources. In 2011, theChamber will partner with other area

organizations to support these efforts andpresent seminars and events that educatethe public about this important work.

• Actively engage in Public PolicyAdvancement. Advocating in the bestinterest of its members is at the core of theChamber’s mission. In 2011 the Chamberwill continue to grow its advocacy rolethrough the Governmental Affairs com-mittee, its Early Bird Breakfast series, itswork with the Maine State Chamber ofCommerce and by enhancing our rela-tionships with elected officials. With theState of Maine’s new administration, it iscritical that the voices of this region beheard when it comes to business and eco-nomic development issues.

• Continue to grow and improve pro-grams such as the Bangor Region Leader-ship Institute, Building Bridges, the Well-ness Council of Maine,and Access Atlanti-ca. These programs provide incrediblevalue to both our region and membersand are the fuel that drives the engine.

• Continue to expand our events,member and community communica-tion, and member benefits so that theChamber is a value added resource thatexceeds expectations.

In 2011 the Bangor Region Cham-ber of Commerce will strive for excel-lence in everything we do and prosper-ity for all. Let’s make those foundingmerchants proud!


Bangor Hydro Electric Company - Pleased to honor the 2011 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Award Recipients

Gary Smith, Brookings-Smith — Norbert X. Dowd AwardOxford Networks — Business of the Year

Bangor Symphony Orchestra — Non-Profit of the YearWaterfront Concerts — Entrepreneurship Award

Senior League World Series — Community Service AwardGovernor John Baldacci — Catherine Lebowitz Award for Public Service

John Diamond — Arthur A. Comstock Professional AwardGlenn Mower, Bangor Letter Shop — Volunteer of the Year Award

Congratulations...Congratulations...Congratulations...Congratulations...

Your community partner & energy solutions provider.

BANGOR HYDRO ELECTRIC COMPANYPO Box 932, Bangor, Maine 04402

(207) 945-5621 • www.bangorhydro.com

BBaalllleesstteerroossContinued from Page 4

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An important part of fulfilling theBangor Region Chamber of Com-merce’s mission to “To promote

and advance a vital, healthy business environ-ment” involves advocating for public policythat will help our region prosper and grow.

Rather than reacting to what policy makerspropose, the Chamber seeks to define its agen-da and bring it forward. “Issues of Impact”outlines the policies that the Chamberbelieves will most help its members. Draftedin the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Com-mittee, the document was endorsed by theChamber’s Board of Directors.

As 2011 unfolds, Issues of Impact willinform and guide the Chamber’s officers andcommittee members as they advocate on behalfof the Bangor Region business community.

Special thanks are due to Rod Black andArthur Comstock, co-chairs of the Govern-mental Affairs Committee, for their steward-ship in creating this document, and to themembers of the committee who helped todraft its various provisions.

TaxesThe tax burden on Maine businesses is

too high, and the tax structure discourages

growth. Despite a growing consensus, taxreform has been a difficult policy topic,mostly because structural changes alwaysproduce winners and losers. But, Maine can-not continue with an outdated and anti-growth system of taxation.

To that end, the Chamber supports:• No increase in, and ideally a reductionof, the overall tax burden for Maine peo-ple and businesses.• Tax policies that encourage regionaliza-tion of local services.• A lower income tax.• Tax reform that will reduce the volatilityof tax revenues.• Examination of the affordability andstructure of state retirement benefits.

EnergyThe Chamber endorses an energy policy

that makes paramount the goal of loweringthe cost of power and fuel. With this as a pri-ority, it also makes sense to pursue strategicinvestments in alternative energy. Policy mak-ers should consider that many, though not all,conservation initiatives can be the least expen-sive means for meeting our energy needs.

To this end, the Chamber supports:• Collaboration with Canadian energy sup-

pliers and the creation of an energy corridorthrough Maine, provided Maine businessesgain access to cheaper power as a result.• Regulatory reforms that lower transmis-sion and delivery costs for business.• Research and development of offshorewind generation, bio-fuel manufacturingtechnologies and geothermal systems.• Development and deployment of energyconservation and efficiency techniques andstrategies, including the Efficiency MaineTrust and corresponding education efforts.

Health careThe passage of national health care

reform should prompt the state to conduct acomprehensive review of policies governinghealth care delivery, insurance, and wellness.

The Chamber supports:• Maximizing federal financial support ofkey initiatives, including: help for smallbusinesses in their efforts to provideaffordable coverage, development ofhealth care information systems, and thedevelopment of new health-care deliverymodels that focus on patient wellnessrather than fee-for-service billing.• More focused attention on rural needswithin the state’s health plan.• A hard look at the usefulness of theDirigoChoice insurance program in lightof new federal policies.• A Certificate of Need process that con-trols costs, but also allows each proposedaddition to our health care infrastructureto rise and fall on its own merits.• A careful study of the long-term careand behavioral-health delivery systems.• A strong focus on wellness and publichealth, including the integration of theHealthy Maine Partnership model morethoroughly with public, private and non-profit organizations and the creation of atax credit for employer wellness programs.• Conducting a cost-benefit analysis ofthe community rating and guaranteed-issue regulations now in place.

EducationEducational opportunity and achieve-

ment are essential to the Region’s economichealth and quality of life. Without an edu-cated workforce with the skills to competeglobally, the Region cannot succeed.

To that end, the Chamber supports:• Strategies aimed at enhancing access tohigher education, including additionalfinancial aid as well as transfer agreementsbetween the Maine Community CollegeSystem and four-year institutions.• Making funding for the University Sys-tem, Community Colleges, and MaineMaritime Academy a priority.• A detailed analysis of the cost-effectivenessof the University System, Community Col-lege System and Maine Maritime Academy,

with the goal of finding structural efficiencies.• A detailed analysis of the cost-effective-ness of K-12 education systems in thestate and an emphasis on “best practices”among Maine K-12 schools.• An analysis of the educational andfinancial returns on recent public schoolconsolidation efforts and the develop-ment of next steps in that process.• Expansion of early childhood educationprograms.

Broadband developmentBroadband capacity is now a critical compo-

nent to economic development and is emerging asa strength within the region.This technology holdsthe promise of eliminating geography as a concernwith respect to our economic growth. Further, theindustry mix here — research labs, factories, edu-cational institutions and biomedical firms — issuch that strong broadband connections are anecessity for the Bangor Region to be successful.

The Chamber supports:• Efforts to leverage our assets to bring“data centers” to our region.• Economic development strategies thattarget companies with a high demand forbandwidth.• Public policies and investments that willallow for greater penetration of high-speed broadband in our market, especiallyultra-high-speed connections used bytechnology companies.

TransportationTransportation is a key component of

economic growth, and as such the Chambersupports making investment in our trans-portation infrastructural a priority. Maine’sgeographic location and strong relationshipwith Canada make the state a critical partnerin the economic well-being of the regionknown as Atlantica, a relationship thatdepends on good transportation links.

Therefore, the Chamber supports:• The permanent elimination of the80,000-pound truck weight limit on MaineInterstate highways. The lifting of the limiton a trial basis has been a clear success.• The development of a major east-westtransportation link through Maine.• The development of the Sears Islandcargo port and further development ofthe Port of Eastport.• The expansion of air service to and fromBangor International Airport.• The preservation and expansion of a com-mercial freight rail system in the region, includ-ing the system serving Aroostook County.

Research and DevelopmentThe future of the Bangor Region’s econo-

my is tied closely to investments in researchand development and should be advanced byproductive public-private partnerships. Suc-

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” -Henrik Ibsen

EMHS salutes the 2011 award recipients.

Governmental Committee Report: Issues of Impact 2011

See IMPACT, Page 7

2011 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Committee Report


cessful applications of R&D are found throughoutour region and cut across all industries, from health-care and construction, to energy and manufacturing.

The Chamber strongly urges continued focuson, and investment in, R&D and strongly supports:

• Execution of the state’s science plan calling for“an environment where science, technology, inno-vation and entrepreneurship stimulate Maine’seconomy.” The Chamber supports the plan’s goalof R&D activity equal to three percent of grossstate product by 2015.• Working with local, state and federal govern-ments as well as private investors to secure capitalfunding and infrastructure supporting researchand development.• Public/private partnerships that aid in commercial-izing new technologies, including venture capital andthe business expertise.

Regional CollaborationRegional collaboration offers the opportunity to

use public, private and nonprofit resources moreeffectively, but Maine’s long tradition of local controlplaces a high value on local-decision making. In therecent past, the Chamber has been part of some suc-cessful regional collaborations, mostly notably with itsparticipation in the Mobilize Maine economic devel-opment effort. Other local efforts have met with lesssuccess. But the possibilities for regionalizationremains tantalizing.

Therefore, the Chamber supports:• A continued emphasis on regional, public/privateeconomic development efforts, including the cre-ation of a shared vision among those entities look-ing to grow the economy of the Bangor Region.• Better collaboration among higher educationinstitutions in our region.• Cooperative efforts among regional health careproviders to reduce overhead and further com-munity wellness.• Efforts by local governments to seek collabora-tions, affiliations, and if feasible, consolidation ofservices, even those services seen as the tradition-al province of municipalities.

HousingThe Chamber regards housing as a critical social and

economic issue directly affecting economic develop-ment. The collapse of the housing market over the pastyear demonstrates how closely tied this issue is to ourgeneral prosperity. By encouraging the creation ofaffordable housing and by achieving higher home own-ership rates, the community creates a more stable work-force and enhances quality of life.

The Chamber supports:• Affordable housing initiatives from the Legislature andMaine State Housing Authority that focus on assistancefor low-income families and first-time homebuyers.• Review of land-use and other policies at the local andstate level that contribute to high development costs.• Banking regulations that support sound mort-gage lending practices.• Strategies that allow seniors to stay in theirhomes longer.

ImpactContinued from Page 6

1959: Senator Edmund S. Muskie was the principal speaker at theannual meeting of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce. He discussed the

nation’s defense budget. Seated, left to right are Ambrose S. Higgins,incoming president; Galen S. Cole, outgoing president; and SenatorMuskie. Standing, Norbert X. Dowd, executive secretary; George A.

Vose, vice president; and George W. Prince, treasurer. (NEWS file photo)


A: @WORK Personnel • 304 Stillwater AvenueFurniture • A.A.A. Portable Toilets • A-1 Safe Stor-age • AAA Northern New England • AACom •AARP Maine • Absolute Hypnotherapy • AcadiaAuto Group, Inc. • Acadia Benefits, Inc. • AcadiaClinical Research • Acadia Hearing Center • Aca-dia Trust NA • Acme Pizza • Action Committee of50 • Adams Real Estate • Adams Taxidermy, Inc.• Advantage Gases & Tools • Advantage PayrollService • Affiliated Healthcare Systems • Afford-able Furniture Showcase • Affordable Home &Office Cleaning • Aflac • Airport News & Gifts • AlBenner Homes, Inc. • All Saints Catholic School •Allen Drucker, M.Ed PA • Allenfarm Fence Compa-ny. Inc. • Alliance for Maine’s Future • Allies Inc. •AllSew • Allstate Insurance Co.: Jack McDonald •Alltrades, Inc. • Alpaca Perfection by Peruvian Link• Alternatives • Amato’s • AME ManagementGroup • Amedisys Home Health • American HeartAssociation • American Red Cross: Pine TreeChapter • American Red Cross Blood Services •Anastasia International, Inc. • Andrew Fitzpatrick• Andrew Landry, Esq. • Anglers Restaurant • Ani-mal Orphanage • Ann Marie’s Kitchen • AnthemBlue Cross and Blue Shield • Anthony John’s •Antique Marketplace & Café • Applebee Enterpris-es Inc. • Assist2Sell 1st Choice Realty • AtlanticDefense Constructors, LLC • Atlantic Designs •Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce • AvalonVillage • Awards Signage & Trophies • A-Z Payroll

B: B&D Fabrications by Design • Bacon PrintingCompany • Bagel Central • Bagley & Grant •Bair’s Driving School • Balance Hair & Body •Bangor Air, Inc. • Bangor Area Chapter, IAAP •Bangor Band • Bangor Bus Terminal • BangorCenter Corporation • Bangor Christian School •Bangor Daily News • Bangor Federal Credit Union• Bangor Frameworks • Bangor Housing Authority• Bangor Humane Society • Bangor Hydro-ElectricCompany • Bangor Insurance Group • BangorInternational Airport • Bangor Letter Shop & ColorCopy Center • Bangor Lodge of Elks • Bangor Mall• Bangor Millwork & Supply, Inc. • Bangor MotorInn & Conference Center • Bangor Motor Sports• Bangor Museum and Center for History • Ban-gor Natural Gas • Bangor Nursing & Rehab Cen-ter • Bangor Pipe & Supply, Inc. • Bangor Plastic

& Hand Surgery P.A. • Bangor Public Library • Ban-gor Publishing Company • Bangor Real Estate •Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce • BangorSavings Bank: Bangor • Bangor SymphonyOrchestra • Bangor Target Area DevelopmentCorp. • Bangor Tennis & Recreation • Bangor The-ological Seminary • Bangor Tire Company • Ban-gor Travel Services • Bangor Truck Equipment •Bangor Water District • Bank of America • BarHarbor Chamber of Commerce • Bar Harbor TrustServices • Barresi Financial, Inc. • Batteries Plus• Beal College • Beatham, Bernier, Seekins & Col-pritt CPAs • BeautiControl: A Mobile Spa • Beef-O-Brady’s • Behavioral Health Center • Bella HairStudio • Bennett’s Tire and Wheel • Berry, Dunn,McNeil & Parker, C.P.A. • Beth Gardner Insurance:State Farm • Better Business Bureau of Maine •Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate: Town &Country • Better Homes and Gardens RealEstate: Town & Country in Hampden • Black BearInn Conference Center & Suites • Black BearLawn Care Inc. • Black Bear Medical North •Black Beards U.S.A. • Blue Cat 5 Production •Blueberry Broadcasting/WVOM • Bonney StaffingCenter • Bowman Bros. Inc • Branches, LLC •Brantner, Thibodeau & Associates • BrewerEagles Club • Brewer Federal Credit Union • Brew-er Physical Therapy & Spine Clinic • Brewer Rehab& Living Center • Brewer School Department •Brian Williams • Broadway Dairy Queen • Broad-way Properties • Brogue Insurance & FinancialServices, Inc. • Bronson Audio Visual & Event Ser-vices • Brookings-Smith • Bruns Chiropractic Clin-ic • Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce •Budget Document Technology • Bugaboo Creek •Burger King/Northcountry Management

C: C.E.S., Inc. • Camden National Bank • CampCaPella, Inc • Canteen Service Co. • Caron Signs• Carpenter Associates • Casco Bay Energy Com-pany, LLC • Cashman Communications • CBE Val-com • Central Equipment Company & White: SignDiv. • Central Maine Moving & Storage • CentralMaine Septic & Portable Toilet Rentals, LLC •Central Maine Wireless, LLC • Central Security •Chadwick Dental • Challenger Learning Center •Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union • Chapel

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Members (as of November 2010)

2010 Golf TournamentBy Andrew Hamilton, Committee Chair

In 2009, as part of Bylaw Amendmentsapproved by the Board, the BangorRegion Chamber reconstituted and rein-

vigorated its longstanding Business Reten-tion Committee by creating the BusinessRetention and Development Committee as astanding committee of the Bangor Chamber.

In 2010, the Committee (sometimescalled the “Biz Action Committee”) gotdown to work. Before undertaking specificinitiatives, the Committee discussed thenumber of existing economic developmentorganizations in our region and decided notto repeat the functions and efforts of others,but rather to support and complement theexisting business advocacy efforts pursuedby the Chamber, including efforts of theGovernmental Affairs Committee.

The focus of the Biz Action Committeequickly came to focus on the needs of areabusinesses for (1) equity capital fundingthrough a Bangor Region Fund structured as asidecar to the Small Enterprise Growth Fund,(2) education focused on sessions to advanceemerging business in the region, and (3) advo-cacy for specific infrastructure projects.

Initiatives included:• Work with the University of Maine, Tar-

get Technology Center, Eaton Peabody,and the Small Enterprise Growth Fund tobegin the early stages of structuring asidecar community venture capital fund.• The development and holding of theBusiness Revolution Series (“Are YouReady for Tomorrow?”) focusing on thefollowing sessions: Innovation featuringcompanies such as Zeomatrix, EMHS,and Balance Hair & Body; Mill Redevel-opment featuring Cianbro President PeterVigue, Old Town Fuel and Fiber, and JeffLetourneau of University of Maine;• BioMed featuring Jerry Whalen of EMHS,John Fitzpatrick of Jackson Laboratories,and UMaine President Bob Kennedy;• Energy featuring Kurt Adams (formerPUC Commissioner and Chief Develop-ment Officer at First Wind), Glenn Pooleof Verso Energy; and Bangor Gas• Coordination of the Chamber’s effortswith EMDC and CVB focused on theeffort to develop a new arena and conven-tion center for the region.Next up will be advancement of specific

initiatives to bring more affordable energyto the region.

We welcome the support and participa-tion of Chamber members as we move for-ward in 2011.

See MEMBERS, Page 10


Biz Action Committee Report

This fall, the annual Bangor RegionChamber of Commerce Golf Tour-

nament was held on Sept. 17th, 2010 at theHermon Meadows Golf Course. Althoughthe day started with rain, the grey skiesturned to blue, and a great time was had byall. Fortunately, the “extras” for purchasedid help some golfers improve their game.A silent auction gave everyone a chance toparticipate in the fun, while the golfers andChamber volunteers enjoyed deliciousfood by Oriental Jade under a tent suppliedby Maine Equipment and Party Rental.

The tournament was a hit due in largepart to our community partners who

supported the event through sponsor-ships, donations, and participation. We’dlike to thank major sponors: Stellar Part-ners, Inc. (Airport News & Gifts), TimeWarner Cable, Hollywood Slots; golf cartsponsor: Camden National Bank; andother sponsors, including Bangor Hydro,Oxford Networks, Sea Dog, FairmountMarket, Dawson Sawyer Insurance andDays Jewelers.

Finally, our appreciation is extended toall the volunteers, chamber members,staff, and in particular the BBRC GolfTournament Committee led by Kelli Roy,who all worked tirelessly to make thisyear’s event a success.


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By Andy Fitzpatrick, Committee Chair

Membership activities at the BangorRegion Chamber of Commerce this yearhave been very busy, exciting and inno-

vative. One of the major changes in 2010 was KellyEnberg being awarded the Director of Member-ship Development position. Kelly has worked dili-gently and helped lead the Membership Commit-tee along with supporting many other Board ini-tiatives aimed at increasing membership services,activities, and overall participation.

In 2010, the membership team focused onefforts to ensure maximum benefits for allChamber members and on rewriting policies toincrease clarity and continuity among our mem-bership goals. We held four successful Member-ship Orientations and restructured benefitspackages for new members. We added newadvertising options and have increased educa-tion especially with our member Web site soft-ware ChamberMaster. This online programallows members to update and manage theirrespective listings on the Chamber Web site.

Our largest and most exciting developmenteffort this year came from Camden National Bank’ssizeable contribution, giving all new members asubsidy 50 percent toward their first year of mem-bership dues. Exactly 75 Bangor area businessesbenefited from this program and greatly enhanced

the Chamber’s overall membership numbers. Wewould like to take this opportunity to thank Cam-den National Bank once more for their ingenuityand outstanding support of area businesses.

Looking forward, the Membership Committeehas designed a strategy for the coming year,including new recruitment efforts, retention pro-grams, and increased benefits. Among thesechanges is the creation of an Ambassador Pro-gram, which will give Chamber members theopportunity to reach out to their peers andinform them of the benefits of Chamber mem-bership. It will also provide additional contactsfor Chamber members to discuss questions aboutChamber. This will be a subcommittee chaired byChris Olsen of Prudential Northeast Properties.

Overall it has been an exciting year for the Mem-bership Committee. The focus of the Committeecontinues to be ensuring all Chamber membersunderstand their opportunities and receive the max-imum amount of benefits from their relationshipwith the Chamber. It is very exciting to note that ourtotal number of active memberships has grown 20percent in just the past 12 months. Thank you toeveryone who has helped in that effort and we lookforward to increasing our base even further in 2011.

Please feel free to contact Kelly Enberg at theChamber with any and all questions regardingmembership and what the Chamber can do foryou at (207) 947-0307.

Membership Committee Report This undated photograph, shows an aerial view of downtown Bangorcomplete with its Tourist Information stop (lower right). The Chamber

of Commerce has always been the “go to” place for visitors to getinformation about where to go and what to do.



Hill Floral • Charlotte White Center • ChristmasTree Ranch • Christopher Olsen • Cianbro Corpo-ration • City of Bangor • City of Brewer • City ofOld Town • CL Construction Inc. • Clear ChannelAirports • ClifCo Ltd • CMC Technology Group •Coach House Restaurant • Coca Cola BottlingPlant • Coffee News USA, Inc. • Coffee Pause •Cole Land Transportation Museum • Collabric •Com-Nav, Inc. • Comfort Inn • Commercial Deliv-ery Systems • Commercial Screenprint & Embroi-dery Inc. • Commissioner David Cole • Communi-cations Technologies Inc. • Community Care •Community Cellular • Community Health & Coun-seling Services • Computer Essentials • Concen-tra Medical Centers • Concord Coachlines • Con-sumer Credit Counseling Services of Maine • Con-sumer Title • Context by Design • Country Inn AtThe Mall • Country Kennel • County of Penobscot• Courtyard by Marriott • Creative Arts Center •Creative Comfort Home & Hearth • Creative Imag-ing Group, Inc. • Creative Print Services • CrossInsurance • Cutcliffe Consulting

D: D.C Rentals • Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services •Daigle & Houghton • Dale Carnegie Training of Maine-Michelle Geaghan • Darling’s • DaVinci Signs LLC • Daw-son Sawyer Insurance Agency • Days Inn • Day’s Jewel-ers • Dead River Company: Bangor • Dead River Com-pany: Brewer • Deane’s Car Care • Deb Dall Design •DeeEtte C. Bruns, Licensed Massage Therapist •Deighan Associates Inc. • Dennis Paper & Foodservice •Desperate Spaces • Dick Hogan Insurance Agency, Inc.• Dirigo Pines Retirement Community • Discovery HouseBangor • DOC’s Place • Dogn’I Apparel • Dorothea DixPsychiatric Center • Down East Credit Union • DowneastCapital, Inc. • Dream Kitchen Studio • Duff & Associates,Inc. • Dunnett Inc. • Dysart’s Restaurant

E: E & R Weartech • Eagle Crest, LLC d/b/aRiverview Motel • Eagle Financial Strategies •East Orrington Congregational Church • EastSide Rehab. & Living Center • Eastern AreaAgency on Aging • Eastern Maine Community Col-lege • Eastern Maine Counseling and Testing Ser-vices, Inc. • Eastern Maine Development Corpo-ration • Eastern Maine Healthcare: Acadia Hos-pital • Eastern Maine Healthcare: EMMC • East-ern Maine Healthcare Systems • Eaton Peabody• Econo Lodge • Edward Jones Investments:Gary Jordan • Edward Jones Investments: MarciaS. Bean • Edward M. Youngblood • Edwards,Faust & Smith, Certified Public Accountants •

Elder Indpendence of Maine: A Division ofSenior’s Plus • Electoral College Sportswear &Accessories • Elite Auto, Inc. • Ellen M. LeachMemorial Home Corporation • Ellis CommercialManagement • Ellis Greenhouse • EllsworthAmerican, Inc.: Printing • Ellsworth Area Chamberof Commerce • EMHS: Rosscare • EmployeeHealth Solutions • Epic Sports • Epstein Com-mercial Real Estate • Epstein Properties • ERADawson-Bradford Co., Realtors • ESOCO Orring-ton • Everett J. Prescott, Inc. • EZ To Use.com

F: F.A. Peabody: Hampden Division • Fairfield Innby Marriott • Fairmount Market • FairPoint Com-munications • Families And Children Together(FACT) • Family Fun Bowling Center • Farrell,Rosenblatt & Russell • Farrington Financial Group• Feld Entertainment • FGS/CMT, Inc. • Fiddle-head Inn Vegetarian B&B • Fields4Kids • FiresideInn & Suites • First Light Shows • First Wind Ener-gy, LLC • Fleming Appraisal & Associates • Fogg’sFirewood and Aerial Photo Service of Maine, Inc.• For Dogs Boutique, Training, Day Care andGrooming • Forest Society of Maine • Fort KnoxPark Inn • Four Directions Development Corp. •Four Points by Sheraton Bangor Airport • Fox &Ginn Movers • Frank Webb’s Bath Center •Frank’s Bake Shop, Inc. • Fred’s Small Cabinets •Freightliner of Maine Inc. • Frost’s Garage, Inc. •Fruit Bouquets by Roger’s Market • Fusion Bangor

G: GAC Chemical Corp. • Gaetani Eye Care Asso-ciates • Garelick Farms of Maine • Gass Horse Sup-ply • Gateway Title of Maine, Inc. • Geaghan’sRestaurant & Pub • General Electric Co. • GentivaHealth Services • George Gonyar • Gerard Tassel •Getchell Brothers, Inc. • Giacomo’s • Gifford’s IceCream • Gilbert & Greif, PA • Gilman Electrical Sup-ply Co. • Girl Scouts of Maine • Glacial Energy, Inc.• Gladjean Consulting, Inc. • Gold’s Gym • GoodSamaritan Agency • Good Shepherd Food-Bank •Governor John Baldacci • Governor’s • Grace Evan-gelical College & Seminary • Granville Rental • GreatSkates Entertainment Center • Greater Bangor Asso-ciation of Realtors • Green Acres Kennel Shop •Greenway Equipment Sales • Greenworks, Inc. •Gross, Minsky, & Mogul PA • Gunn’s Sport Shop

H: H.O. Bouchard, Inc. • Habitat for Humanity ofGreater Bangor • Haley’s Tire & Service Center •Hammond Lumber Company • Hammond StreetSenior Center, Inc. • Hampden Business Associ-ation • Hampden Floral, Inc. • Hampden-


Members, continued from page 8

By Michael Fern, BRLI Chair

Y ou wouldn't know the person sit-ting next to you at a city councilmeeting is a graduate. Or, the per-

son standing by your side at the local foodpantry or manning the table at a charitableevent. In fact, you might not even know sev-eral elected officials serving the communitythrough public service have gone through it.

Yet for the 272 graduates who have expe-rienced the Bangor Region Leadership Insti-tute, many have taken what they've learnedthrough nine intensive day-long classes andare doing precisely what the program wasdesigned for - being future leaders.

Now in its 14th year, BRLI has undoubt-edly made an impact in the greater Bangorregion and beyond, as many of its graduatesare found today serving on various commu-nity boards and committees, at the top levelsof area companies or holding public officelocally or statewide. And many will tell youthey share the same vision and a commongoal - they're doing what they can to makethe region a better place to live and work.

Designed to provide emerging leaders with

a diverse understanding of the forces thatdrive the Bangor region, along with the skillsnecessary to be actively involved in the area'seconomic, civic and social cultures, BRLIbuilds civic awareness and encourages activeinvolvement through a nine-month programthat includes presentations, site visits, andcommunity-based projects. More important-ly, it also helps participants gain a greater

awareness of their own strengths and skillsand those of fellow classmates, thereby allow-ing them to build an intensive bond sharedcommonly by a network of fellow alumni.

BRLI has grown in popularity in recentyears - likely fueled by the impact made byits graduates. With strong enrollment run-ning at its maximum capacity of 26 studentsin each of the last five years, over 100 com-

panies have sent their ranks to BRLI.In addition to the project presentations,

May's annual dinner included recognition ofthe latest recipient of the G. Clifton EamesLeadership Award: Dennis Marble, executivedirector of the Bangor Area Homeless Shel-ter and a past Steering Committee member.

The Annual Laugh-in, BRLI's premierfundraiser that features nationally-rankedcomedians, was held in January 2010. Thefunds raised from the Annual Laugh-in helpoffset the costs of the program and allows theprogram to offer scholarships. The nextLaugh-in is planned for Feb. 2, 2011, featur-ing comedians Keith Alberstadt and Bill Russ.

This year also saw the launch of BRLI's newWeb site, brliexperience.org, which allows cur-rent class participants to keep up to date onclass itineraries and schedules, and alumni achance to reconnect with fellow classmates.

The success of BRLI depends heavily on thegracious donations of time and resources fromalumni volunteers and member businesses.Wethank the many who have volunteered theirenergy and talent to provide a quality experi-ence for our participants and alumni.

And if you haven't applied, the nextround for applications for September's classwill begin in May.

Bangor Region Leadership Institute Committee Report2011 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Committee Report

PHOTO COURTESY BRCC


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Gilpatrick Funeral Home • Hannaford • Han-naford Broadway • Harley the Plumber Inc. • Har-mon AutoGlass DBA Portland Glass • HarpWorksWriting Services • Haverlock, Estey & Curran,CPAs • HCP Computers • Headlight Audio Visual,Inc. • Health Benefits • Healthcare Charities •HealthWORKS • Helen Munsey Home Decorator• Henry Associates Inc. DBA: The Henry BridalBoutique & Formal Wear • Hermon Meadow GolfClub • Hermon True Value • Hermon True ValueHardware • Hero’s Sports Grill • Holiday Inn:Bangor • Hollywood Custom Rides • HollywoodSlots • Home Health & Hospice of St. Joseph •Home-Sweet-Home • Honeywell International •Hotel Equities • House Revivers Inc./Kelly RealtyManagement • Howard Tool Inc. • Hughes Prop-erty Management • Husson University

I: Innovative Solutions Now, LLC • InSphere Insur-ance Solutions • Instant Title Service • Insure-Health • Interiors by Janis Stone • Irving Oil Limited

J: J B Paint Co. • J Group Advertising • Jeff’s Cater-ing, Inc. • Jenkins Beach/Cottage & Boat Rentals •John Bapst Memorial High School • John Miller •John T. Cyr & Sons, Inc. • John W. Lefebvre • John-son Florist & Gift Shop, Inc. • Johnstone Supply •Joles Photography • JT Trash Disposal Service •Jump and Raft LLC. • JWClark Dental Studio

K: Karen Schaller: Fundraising Database Con-sultant • Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce •Katahdin Area Council, Boy Scouts of America,Inc. • Katahdin Trust Company • KE Security •Kelli Roy • Kelly Remmel & Zimmerman • KellyServices • Ken Huhn • Kentucky Fried Chicken-Broadway • Kentucky Fried Chicken-LongviewDrive • Key Bank N.A. • Kiley & Foley Funeral Ser-vice • Kindred Healthcare • Kinney Office System• Kishintaikan International • Know Technology

L: Lamey Wellehan • Law Office of Joseph M. Bal-dacci • Les Otten for Governor • Liberty Mutual •Lighthouse Web Solutions • Linda S. Horton •Links Online Solutions • Linnehan Family Business• Literacy Volunteers of Bangor • Little Angels Day-care & Preschool • LL Bean • Loiselle, Goodwin &Hinds • Longhorn Steak House • Louis Silver Con-struction Company • Luna Bar & Grill

M: M. Ray Bradford Jr. Esq. PA • Machias Sav-ings Bank • MacMillan Apartments • Magazines,

Inc. • Magic With Alan • Maine Aero Services •Maine Air Museum/Maine Aviation Historical Soci-ety • Maine Air National Guard • Maine Arts &Sports Academy • Maine Audio Information andReading Service • Maine Auto Search • MaineBusinesses for Social Responsibility • Maine Cen-ter for Integrated Rehab • Maine Commercial Real-ty • Maine Community Foundation • Maine Con-tracting • Maine Development Foundation • MaineDiscovery Museum • Maine Distributors • MaineDOT • Maine Energy Inc. • Maine Equipment &Party Rental • Maine Ground Developers, Inc. •Maine International Trade Center • Maine MentalHealth Connections, Inc. • Maine Network forHealth • Maine Public Broadcasting Network •Maine Salt Company • Maine Savings FederalCredit Union • Maine School Administrative Dis-trict #22 • Maine Staffing Group • Maine StateChamber of Commerce • Maine Team Realty •Maine Valve and Fitting Co. • Maine Veterans’Home • Mainebiz • MAINE-Ly Titles Inc. • Maine’sOwn Organic Milk • MainXPO, Inc. • Make-A-WishFoundation of Maine • Manna, Inc • Manpower •MAP Appraisals • Marden’s Inc. • Margarita’s Mex-ican Restaurant • Marit’s • Marketing Media •Marlene’s Uniform Shop • Marsh Property Man-agement, LLC • Martes Inc. DBA City Park Grille •Martin & Gail Hipsky • Mary Cathcart • Mary Kay• McDonald’s Restaurants: Bega, Inc. • McDon-ald’s Restaurants: D & L Management Co. •Means Investment Co. Inc. • Med-A-Vision, Inc. •Melaleaca • MERT Enterprises • Metlife • Metro-media Energy • Mid-Coast Fine Antiques of Maine• Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant • Mike Youngblood• Milford Motel: Suites- on the River • Miller Drug• Modern Pest Control • Modern Screenprint Inc.• Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce• Morgan Hill Events Center • Morgan Stanley •Morita’s School of Dance • Motel 6 • MountDesert Spring Water • Mr. Honey Do • Muddy Rud-der • Muscular Dystrophy Association

N: N.H. Bragg & Sons • N.S. Giles FoundationsInc. • National Able Network • Natural SoundAudio Services • Nautel, Inc. • NAWBO — Bangor• Nelson Durgin • Neurology Associates of East-ern Maine, P.A. • New England Communications •New England Equipment Consulting & Manage-ment • New England Health Search • New EnglandHome Health Care • New England Mail Solutions



Bangor RegionChamber ofCommerce

Business AfterHours 2010

By Rick Lyons, Committee Chair

Collectively, the Wellness Council ofMaine, its Board, and its members,have been part of a year full of

exceptional growth and change. Moving intoour third year as a state wide entity, we cur-rently represent over 60,000 employees from112 organizations in 14 Maine counties.

The Wellness Council of Maine works toadvance and promote good health amongemployees across Maine. By consulting withcompanies to develop and improve theirworksite wellness programs, educating com-panies in the Well Workplace model, and rec-ognizing companies who achieve excellencein employee health promotion, we representan innovative approach to hold the line onhealthcare costs at their origin, specificallythe lifestyles of employees and their families.

Prevention is one of the first lines of defenseagainst rising healthcare costs and WLCME givesits members the necessary tools to support andassist workforces’ efforts to become healthier.

2010 welcomed 25 new businesses andorganizations to WLCME’s membership. Arecord total of 13 companies receivednational recognition from the WellnessCouncil of America in the form of WellWorkplace Awards. Northeastern LogHomes of Kenduskeag was bestowed a SmallBusiness Award.

Gold Awards went out to Affiliated Health-care Systems, Bangor Hydro Electric Compa-ny, Charles A Dean Memorial Hospital,EMHS Home Office, Inland Hospital, MaineDepartment of Transportation, MSAD #22,

Sargent Corporation, Sebasticook Valley Hos-pital, and The Aroostook Medical Center.

Eastern Maine Medical Center and Occu-pational Medical Consulting, LLC, bothreceived Platinum awards, the pinnacle ofresults-oriented worksite wellness program-ming! Maine now boasts four of the UnitedStates’ 16 Platinum Well Workplaces.

In September, WLCME hosted its secondannual Workplace Wellness Leadership Sym-posium, bringing in nationally renownedworksite health promotion expert, Dr.Joseph Leutzinger, to Portland for a half dayevent that educated 150 leaders from 78companies from Caribou to Saco.

2011 promises to be a year of expandededucation, networking opportunities, andcollaboration with regional wellness initia-tives throughout Maine. Our focus will bemember retention and recruitment throughthe elevation of communication andresource sharing between members andrelated service providers along with deliver-ing cutting edge information and technolo-gy in collaboration with our licensing part-ner, the Wellness Council of America.

Through the combined success of ouraward winners and the efforts of businessleaders who put time, energy and resourcestoward making Maine a healthier place foreveryone, the word is spreading about theimportance of workplace wellness. Theleadership of the Wellness Council of Mainelooks forward to continued success in 2011.

To find out more and to view a compre-hensive list of participating businesses, visitthe Wellness Councilof Maine’s Web site atwww.wellnesscouncilofmaine.org.


By Vicki L Rusbult, Chair

Building Bridges will mark its 19thyear in existence in 2011. BuildingBridges is a BRCC program designed

to support a dialog between educators andbusinesses in this region around employmentopportunities. The program is publicized to avariety of educators representing a wide rangeof grades and student ages, from special edu-cation staff to counselors, librarians to admin-istrators, and everyone in-between.

Beginning in January each year, programparticipants are introduced to a sampling ofbusinesses and industries in this regionincluding banking, tourism, retail, educa-tion, law enforcement, health care, research,military, energy, and more. Each weekly ses-sion includes a review of the business andindustry hiring trends, career paths, requiredskill sets, and education requirements. Thegoal of the program has been to provide edu-cators with the tools necessary to informtheir students about future employment inthis region and how to better prepare foremployment post-graduation.

Recognizing that change can be a goodthing, the Committee is now brainstorm-ing for ways to revitalize the program.

Toward that end, we have trimmed thenumber of sessions from 19 to 16, and willoffer 4.0 continuing education units. Weare considering other changes to the pro-gram for 2011 – a workshop where arealeaders would convene to discuss employ-ment trends, jobs in this region, and fore-casting for the future and a summer serieswith each session limited to one industry.

The Building Bridges Committee wouldlike to thank the following businesses for par-ticipating as site locations for the 2010 session:

• Bangor Savings Bank• Penobscot Theatre• L.L. Bean• General Electric• Bangor Hydro Electric• United Technology Center• Eastern Maine Health Care Systems• Maine Institute for Health and HumanGeneticsI would also like to extend a heartfelt

thank you to Mary Brooks, former Chair ofBuilding Bridges. After serving five years inthis capacity, Mary has step back from theleadership role. Her dedication to this pro-gram was evident to all. Finally, thank youto the members of Building Bridges Com-mittee (past and present) for donating theirtime and energy to this important program.

2011 Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Committee Reports

Wellness Council of Maine ReportBuilding Bridges Report

By Scott Blake, Committee Chair

Fusion Bangor had a banner year in2010. With hearty thanks to oursponsors, Bangor Savings Bank,

Husson University, Eaton Peabody, ERADawson Bradford, and Dawson Insurance,we were able to provide interesting andinspiring programming to many young pro-fessionals in the region.

The headline events of the year were thegubernatorial forums that brought Cutler,LePage, and Mitchell to intimate settings withyoung people in Bangor. As part of our Noon-time Networks series, each candidate spokeonly briefly before engaging in Q&A with theaudience. All the events were highly success-ful, giving participants much more access tothe candidates than many other venues.

Through the Fusion Give Back program,we assisted Habitat for Humanity, Hike forthe Homeless, Bloom207, United CerebralPalsy of Maine, Families and ChildrenTogether, and others. We continue to makecommunity involvement a priority forFusion, helping to match young people withopportunities to give back. Additionally,Fusion Forward supplied professional devel-opment events and connections for young

people and Penobscot Job Corps students.However, 2010 did end up being a bit

more serious than we hoped. In 2011, we’reworking hard to maintain the high standardswe’ve established for Noontime Networksand our continued strong commitment tocommunity involvement; but we’re also going

to be playing a bit harder in the coming year.Young families are a group that we

haven’t served as well as we might. We’ll befixing that first with an event January 22nd

at the Jordan Planetarium. We’re also plan-ning on events at the Maine DiscoveryMuseum and other kid-friendly places

throughout 2011.Other exciting events are in the works.

Fusion had a very successful networking eventwith Business School and other graduate stu-dents at the University of Maine in Septemberand we’re planning to replicate and expandthat event in 2011. We have strengthened ourpartnerships with River City Cinema, Penob-scot Theatre Company, Bangor SymphonyOrchestra, the University of Maine Museumof Art, the Downtown Bangor Partnership,and the Downtown Bangor Arts Collabora-tive, among others, and are actively workingboth to help these organizations deliver ontheir missions and to cooperatively create newevents for the Bangor region.

Through our ongoing participation inthe Realize Maine Network, Fusion also con-nects young people in the Bangor area to therest of Maine and young people in the rest ofMaine to the Bangor area.

Throughout 2010, we’ve had a fabulousSteering Committee driving Fusion forward.The change of the year brings a farewell tofriends as the Steering Committee thanksoutgoing members for their distinguishedservice and a welcoming of new energy asincoming members bring their ideas andcommitment to shaping the future of theBangor region.


Fusion Bangor Committee Report

PHOTO COURTESY FUSION’S FACEBOOK PAGEFusion Bangor’s Noontime Networks series brought all the gubernatorial candi-

dates to speak and answer questions.



By Brian Swartz

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

For his outstanding communityinvolvement during the past 50years, the Bangor Region Chamber

of Commerce has bestowed its prestigiousNorbert X. Dowd Award on Gary Smith ofBrookings-Smith Funeral Homes.

“I feel honored and humbled to be therecipient,” Smith said. “We never looked forany recognition for anything we’ve done [inthe community] in the past. We give back tothe community because we’ve been given somuch by the community. We’ve had won-derful support from this greater Bangorregion, making Brookings-Smith theirfuneral home of choice.”

Born and raised in Bangor, Smith attend-ed Bangor High School. Before graduatingin 1955, he asked local funeral directorWilmot Brookings to talk about his profes-sion during a BHS occupational class.Brookings subsequently invited Smith and

other male students “to see his funeral homeand his preparation room” at 133 Center St.,Bangor, Smith recalled.

“I really had an interest in becoming afuneral director,” he said. “I thought aboutbecoming a minister. Yet I’ve always lovednurseries, flowers; I was going to be a farmer.”

His “folks were all from Aroostook Coun-ty,” and Smith spent each summer duringhigh school working at the University ofMaine farm in Orono and spending timewith his grandparents in Presque Isle. Therehe met Harold “Ike” Graves and his son, Sid-ney, who owned Graves Funeral Home;“they stirred my interest in becoming afuneral director,” Smith said.

After studying economics and farm man-agement at the University of Maine at Orono,Smith spent two years at the New EnglandInstitute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, andEmbalming in Boston. He also worked 12midnight to 8 a.m. at J.S. Waterman & Sons, afuneral home established in 1832.

“They buried the elite and the very poorest ofpeople,” Smith said. “I put in two rugged years

Gary Smith: Norbert X. Dowd Award

NEWS PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZThe prestigious Norbert X. Dowd Award is being bestowed on Gary Smith, who

founded Brookings-Smith Funeral Home in 1960 in 2011.See DOWD, Page 15

By Debra Bell

SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER

In 1911, a group of businessmen formedthe first Bangor Chamber of Com-merce, aimed at supporting local mer-

chants and advocating for all things businessin the area and throughout the state.

1911 was certainly a year of turmoil forthe city of Bangor. The great fire of 1911destroyed a large chunk of downtown’s busi-nesses. But, staunch Bangoreans pickedthemselves up by their boostraps and beganthe process of rebuilding. In fact, Chamberof Commerce’s were popping up across thecountry after the organization of a NationalChamber of Commerce encouraged by Pres-ident Taft.

To that effect, the President’s report in theAnnual Report of the Bangor Chamber ofCommerce noted that “never before werecommercial bodies so active nor have they everwielded a greater influence in the affairs of the

state and nation than at this present time...“The influence of an organization

depends on its membership. The larger the

membership the greater its influence. I hopeto see a greater gain in membership this yearthan ever before. Considering the fire I think

we have done good work in this directionduring the past year. I look for even betterwork during the coming year.”

The first Bangor Chamber consisted of277 businesses and businessmen. Amongthose businesses are long-standing membersof today’s BRCC including: N.H. Bragg andSons and Bacon & Robinson Company(now Dead River).

The first Chamber board was comprised of:• Arthur Chapin, President• Charles F. Bragg, Vice President • Charles M. Stewart, Vice President• George H. Hopkins, Auditor• Donald F. Snow, Attorney• Wilfred A. Hennessy, Secretary• Howard F. Sawyer, Treasuer

Directors included:• Frederick W. Adams• Augustus H. Babcock• Harry D. Benson• Frank D. Denaco

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce100 years of advancing business in the Bangor Region

See HISTORY, Page 22

PHOTO COURTESY BANGOR REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCEBangor Chamber of Commerce executive board members pose for a portraitat the 34th annual Chamber dinner in 1947. PIctured are (from left to right):

Norbert X. Dowd, George W. Hawkes Jr., Andrew J. Pease, Captain EdwardEllsberg U.S.N.R. (featured speaker), William B. Hill, Earle R. Webster,

Claude Hultzen, Sewall C. Brown.

10 great reasons to be a Chamber member


there, and it was a wonderful experience. Thatexperience I had in Boston was outstanding.”

Smith briefly stayed in Boston with J.S.Waterman & Sons before returning to Ban-gor to work for Brookings. Bangor support-ed seven funeral homes in the late 1950s,and “we were the smallest one,” Smith said.

Brookings wanted to sell his business, soSmith acquired an interest in 1960 and com-pleted the purchase in 1962. He and his wife,Barbara, worked diligently at developingtheir funeral business.

Early in his career, Smith sought advicefrom a particular Bangor business leader. “Ihad the privilege of knowing Norby Dowd”when the Bangor Region Chamber of Com-merce “office was on Franklin Street” andDowd was the Chamber’s executive director,Smith recalled. “Norby was so helpful to mein understanding this community from abusiness standpoint. It was helpful to under-stand the dynamics of the community.”

Wilmot Brookings and his family hadlived in their funeral home. The Smithsbought a house next door and moved thereto raise their daughter, Holly, who “startedhelping out [in the funeral home] when shewas old enough,” Smith said. Barbara andHolly had many duties from washing cars tomaking sure the funeral home was clean.

Over the years, Brookings-Smith physi-cally expanded with a new chapel and other

facilities in Bangor. Gary Smith lateracquired the Harvard Clark Funeral Homeand the Phil Piper Funeral Home in Brewerand the LaBeau Funeral Home in Orono.Merging the Brewer funeral homes, Smithand his family now operate the Clark-PiperChapel at 55 South Main St., Brewer and theLaBeau Chapel at 72 Main St., Orono.

In 2007, Brookings-Smith built the PineGrove Crematorium, which is adjacent toPine Grove Cemetery in Bangor. This year,Brookings-Smith completed expanding its

Family Reception Center and the Life Trib-ute and Arrangement Center in Bangor.

Years ago, Gary Smith started volunteeringwith various organizations because “this is myhome. I love this community and its people.There is no place like the Bangor area in theworld. If you took a vote of caring people, we’dbe No. 1, here in this area and across Maine.

“When we started out here, we didn’thave anything,” Smith said during an inter-view at the Brookings-Smith Family Recep-tion Center in Bangor. “It has been verymuch of a personal reward that people haveaccepted us and the business just as we are.

“We’ve given back to the community becausethey’ve given us so much,” he said. “They have

turned to us in their times of need. We have anawesome responsibility to serve families well.”

For him, such service has ranged frombelonging to the New Hope Hospice Board ofTrustees and the Bangor Mechanics Associa-tion of the Bangor Public Library to serving asa Phillips-Strickland House trustee and on theJohn Bapst Foundation board. A long-timemember of St. John’s Episcopal Church inBangor, he served on the Bangor Savings BankBoard of Directors from 1982 to 2009, includ-ing a term as vice chair. Smith currently chairs

the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation.He credits colleagues for making his com-

munity involvement possible. For some yearsSmith worked solo as a funeral director. “Yourtime is not your own,” he said.“It’s a 24/7 busi-ness,” and a funeral director “must be alwaysavailable, weekdays, nights, weekends, holidays.

“People have to be willing to respond to theneeds of the family when they need us,” Smithsaid.“My community involvement, this award,it’s not about me. It’s about my family and thetalented and committed colleagues I’m fortu-nate to have been associated with and who havesacrificed to make this business successful.”

He explained that after Holly became afuneral director, she joined her father at

Brookings-Smith and continues to carry thesame work ethic with compassion and sensi-tivity to the needs of the families. Her hus-band, James Fernald (also a funeral director)later joined the firm, and they are graduallypurchasing the business.

“I can’t believe how fortunate I am tohave family who want to perpetuate thisbusiness,” Gary Smith said. “Without themand our dedicated employees, we would nothave made it. Some of our colleagues haveworked many years here.

“I was able to do this because the familyand my colleagues here provided me with thetime to give back to the community,” he said.

Now 74, Smith has not slowed down asthe years pass. He jogs to stay fit. A memberand past master of St. Andrew’s MasonicLodge, Smith belongs to the Scottish RiteBodies and is a 33rd degree member of theScottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.He is also member of the Anah Shriners.

Smith served as a member of the Board ofRegents of the New England Institute ofApplied Arts and Sciences in Boston andserves on the Maine Economic ResearchInstitute board. He belongs to the MaineFuneral Directors Association, the NationalFuneral Directors Association, and theSelected Independent Funeral Homes.

Does he plan to retire or at least lessen hiscommunity involvement? “No, I have noplans to do anything other than what I’mdoing now,” Smith stated. “I love workingwith families, helping them in their time ofneed. It’s something that has been veryimportant to me all these years.”

DowdContinued from Page 14

“My community involvement, this award, it’s not about me.It’s about my family and the talented and committed

colleagues I’m fortunate to have been associated with andwho have sacrificed to make this business successful.”

GARY SMITH, NORBERT X. DOWD AWARD WINNER

1. Networking: Through participation atBRCC programs, seminars, and eventsm we pro-vide many excellent networking opportunitiesthat help you build and maintain relationshipswith other businesses. Events include BusinessAfter Hours, Early Bird Breakfasts, the golf tour-nament, seminars, luncheons, cultural activities,and more. Whatever the size of your company,your Chamber membership will help you buildand expand connections to the business world,making this an important benefit of membership.

2. Referrals: Each year, the Chamberassists thousands of people looking for localproducts and services, as well as places to goand things to see. As the area’s regional cham-ber, we advocate for the success and advance-ment of all member businesses; therefore, it isour policy to provide referrals to membersonly. In addition, we provide an area for freedistribution of business cards and brochuresin our Information Center.

3. Advertising: The Chamber offers effec-tive, low-cost advertising opportunities. Mem-bers may choose to place an ad or insert a flyerinto the Chamber News or on the BRCC Website. We include all member businesses in ouronline directory and provide links to memberWeb sites. In our “Chamber Advantage” mem-

ber-to-member discount program, businessesmay advertise a discount, which we include onthe list that’s provided to member businessesand online. Cards are given out to memberemployees, drawing customers to memberbusinesses. In addition, many sponsorshipopportunities exist to offer additional exposure.

4. Training: The Chamber offers a widerange of professional development and infor-mational seminars throughout the year ontopics beneficial to our members. The pro-grams are designed to help your companyprosper. Whether it’s a seminar on employ-ment issues or a hot stove session that willkeep you informed about legislative issues, allyou have to do is get involved to realize the fullpotential of your membership.

5. Health Insurance Plan: ChamberBlueOptions health plans are available tosmall businesses with two to 50 employeesand self-employed people who are membersof the BRCC. The suite of insurance plans is ajoint offering of the Maine State ChamberPurchasing Alliance, local chambers, andAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine.Unlike most insurance plans for small busi-nesses, the eight options are available for eachemployee to choose from, rather than a typi-

cal “one size fits all” approach.6. Advocacy: The Chamber serves as a

strong voice in both local and state govern-ment, collectively representing members onissues that impact businesses. Through itsGovernmental Affairs Committee, the Cham-ber takes a proactive approach to influencingpublic policies it believes will lead to, or main-tain, a healthy state and regional business cli-mate. BRCC focuses on policy areas that arecritical to the economic vitality of the region.In the past, those areas have included: Educa-tion, health care, regionalization, R&D, taxa-tion, transportation, and housing.

7. Support: Members are entitled to anumber of free services to help with your busi-ness start-up, expansion, and marketing plans,including access to the member database -- agreat way to reach out to other members andthe business community. We can provide eco-nomic and demographic profiles, employmentfigures, cost-of-living indexes, and more.Members are eligible for a discount for events,meeting room rentals and mailing labels.

8. Visibility: There are many ways mem-bers can increase visibility: serve on a com-mittee, conduct a workshop, submit an articlefor the Chamber News, sponsor an event or

program, or participate in one of many net-working events. Each month, a section of theChamber News is devoted to member newsand a Member Spotlight. Grand openings,business relocations, and company milestonesare a way for us to work with you on ribboncuttings, press releases, and photos to themedia. When you have important news toshare, we can help spread the word.

9. Recognition: Your Chamber has sev-eral awards and programs to recognize mem-bers who provide exemplary service, reachmilestones, achieve outstanding honors, orearn special honors. Awards are presented atthe annual dinner and throughout the year.

10. Credibility: Chamber membershipsends your customers the right message: yoursis a reputable company that actively partici-pates in the local business community. Mem-bers are encouraged to display a membershipdecal at their business location. By gettinginvolved, you’re giving back to the communi-ty by becoming knowledgeable about businessissues and being active in local projects. As amember of the Chamber, you have the oppor-tunity to join various committees so you mayhave a voice, make a difference and make con-nections.


C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W

•••CONGRATULATIONS•••

Bangor Region Chamber of Commercefor

100 years of service to Maine!

&

By David M. Fitzpatrick


For its leadership, innovation, and eco-nomic activity in the Bangor region,Oxford Networks has been named theBRCC’s Business of the Year.

President and CEO Craig Gunderson saysthe company’s success here is entirelybecause of his people. “We have a team ofenergetic, customer service focused employ-ees in Bangor and across the state who enjoytheir job, love their customers, and rise tomeet any challenge,” Gunderson said. “As alocally owned and operated company, ouremployees can relate to each other, fellowMaine companies, and the community.”

Oxford Networks, which began as a localtelephone company in 1900, has flourished inrecent years under the umbrella of a shared-val-ues system that Gunderson says is key to thecompany’s success.And that’s a story all its own.

Gunderson and Oxford’s current chairmanand former CEO, Rick Anstey, once worked atanother company that embraced a shared-val-ues program and built its success on the

strengths of its happy and satisfied employees.But when the company was bought out, theshared-values program was the first thing to go.Gunderson knew he didn’t want to work for acompany that didn’t embrace those ideals.

Anstey came to Oxford Networks, soonfollowed by Gunderson. Oxford wasn’t thekind of company it is today, with employeesrating it rock bottom through the shared-val-ues consultants Anstey brought in to turn thecompany around. The company improved inevery way, and for the past five years it hasearned the prestigious designation as one ofthe Best Places to Work in Maine.

Oxford has carried this success north toBangor, where it first extended its fiber-opticnetwork to serve business customers in2008. In the past six years, Oxford hasinvested $24 million in its fiber-optic net-work in Maine, with close to $5 million ofthat in Bangor, bringing fiber-optic speedsright into customers’ businesses.

Oxford’s customer-service commitmentshows in the monthly surveys it conducts. Asurvey team including Gunderson visits var-ious customers and asks questions to deter-mine how Oxford is doing. Gundersonhand-writes the customer’s answers, pres-ents them to the board of directors, andkeeps them right in his desk drawer.

“Recently, we did a number of surveys upin Bangor, and the accolades that our peoplegot — it’s huge,” Gunderson said. “The feed-back has been incredibly positive.”

Gunderson trusts his team’s judgmentcalls, whether it’s with a business decision orfor a community project. Whether his teamsuggested sponsoring the Waterfront Con-certs, giving away holiday turkeys, partici-pating in United Way, or helping out at theBangor homeless shelter, he always gavethem wide latitude to get things done.

Gunderson is very impressed with every-thing his team accomplishes. “They hit these

home runs — these incredible home runs,” hesaid. “A normal corporate guy would say ‘I’vegot to limit risk, and I can limit risk by doingmy normal stuff that everybody else does.’ Inthis culture, where you hire great people, youtrust them, you give them the ability to makemistakes and learn from their mistakes —they go out and just do incredible things.”

In the future, Gunderson said OxfordNetworks will continue its “edge-out expan-sion,” where services extend out from centralhubs like Lewiston and Bangor.

“Oxford’s focus is on serving the businesscommunity in Maine,” he said, “and contin-uing to find ways to serve the business com-munity in Maine is what we’re focused on.”

NEWS PHOTO BY DAVID M. FITZPATRICKOxford Networks CEO Craig Gunderston

• New England Outdoor Center • New EnglandSchool of Communications • New Form BuildingSystems, Inc. • Nickerson & O’Day, Inc. • Nicky’sCruisin’ Diner • Nonesuch Farm B & B • Norris,Inc. • North Country Rivers, Inc. • Northeast Mer-chandising Corp. • Northeast Oral & MaxillofacialSurgery Associates, P.A. • Northeastern LogHomes, Inc. • Northern Maine Water Testing, Inc.• NORTHPOINT Financial Services • NorthstarPhotography Inc. • Norumbega Financial • NoyesConstruction • Nurse Anesthesia of Maine, PLLC

O: Oak Grove Spring Water Co., Inc. • Océ-Canon • OHI • Olive Garden Italian Restaurant •One Lupine Fiber Arts • One Steel Recycling •Organized Solutions • OrganoGold • OrientalJade Restaurant & Sampan Grill • OTT Commu-

nications • Oxford Networks

P: Paddy Murphy’s • PAGEmployment, Inc. •Papa John’s Pizza • Paper-n-Clay • Parker K. Bai-ley & Sons • Parks Pond Campground • ParksideChildren’s Learning Center • Pathway Church •Pat’s Pizza • Paul Bunyan Campground • Paul’sPellet Sales • PBC Consulting, LLC • PembertonSwift, Inc. • PenBay Computer Systems, Inc. •Penobscot Cleaning Services, Inc. • PenobscotCommunity Health Center, Inc. • PenobscotCounty Federal Credit Union • Penobscot CountyTRIAD • Penobscot Eye Care • Penobscot GuideService • Penobscot Home Performance •Penobscot Job Corps Academy • PenobscotNation Boys & Girls Club • Penobscot TheatreCompany • Penobscot Valley Country Club •

Penobscot Veterinary Services • Penquis • Peo-ple’s Bank • Pepsi Bottling Group • PHD Con-sulting, Inc. • Phillips-Strickland House/BoydPlace • Phoenix Employment & RehabilitationServices • Pike Industries • Pine Hill Golf Club •Pine Tree Karate & Fitness • Pine Tree PhysicalTherapy • Pine Tree Waste Inc. / Casella WasteSystems, Inc. • Pinnacle IT • Pinnacle IT •Pleasant Hill RV Park & Campground • Plisga &Day Land Surveyors • Pottle’s TransportationInc. • Premier Home Care • Premier Limousine& DJ • Prentiss & Carlisle Inc. • Pre-Paid LegalServices, Inc./Rainbow Sales and Service • Pro-Realty • Prudential Northeast Properties • PulseMarketing LLC • Pumpkin Patch RV Resort

Q: Qualey Granite • Quality Jewelers • Quality Tire &

Service Center, Inc. • Quinn Agency • Quirk Auto Park

R: R.H. Foster Energy, L.L.C. • Ramada Inn • RBCWealth Management • RE/MAX Advantage RealtyGroup • Realty of Maine • Records ManagementCenter • Red Brick Lending, LLC • Residential Mort-gage Services • Results Physical & OccupationalTherapy • ReVision Heat LLC • Rhoades BuildingProducts • Richard P. Hawkins • Richard S. Cattelle,Inc. • Richard Whitmore Logging • Richardson, Whit-man, Large, & Badger • RiverCity Cinema • River-side Inn • Robinson Ballet Company • Rod Hathaway• Ronald McDonald House of Bangor, Inc. • RoofSystems of Maine • Roy & Associates, CPAs PA • RTZiegler Financial Services • Rudman & Winchell, LLC



“Continuing to find ways to serve the business community is what we’re focused on.”CRAIG GUNDERSON, OXFORD NETWORKS CEO AND PRESIDENT

Oxford Networks: Business of the Year


By Debra Bell


For his work as a public servant whohas advanced economic opportuni-ties for the Bangor region, the Ban-

gor Region Chamber of Commerce honorsGovernor John E. Baldacci with the Cather-ine Liebowitz Award for Public Service.

Baldacci may not be a resident of Augustaanymore, but his record of advancing the Ban-gor region started even before taking officeeight years ago. His role as a city councilor, amember of the state senate, a congessman, andeight years as Governor has given this Bangorboy a significant amount of insight into howbest to help his hometown grow.

“I served with [Catherine Liebowitz] andsaw how she volunteered so much of hertime and effort to [the people of Maine],”Baldacci said. “It’s an honor to be associatedwith someone like her and the work she hasdone. I’m humbled.”

In each role, Baldacci has had a chance toadvance the case for Bangor as a regionalhub – and one worthy of helping grow busi-nesses. And, as Governor, “my goal hasalways been to see the Bangor region growinto an economic engine.”

“We’re seeing a growing [Bangor] water-front, work going on in Old Town, and thearea is becoming alive,” the Governor said.The wind power initiative at the Universityof Maine, Gov. Baldacci said, is helping tosituate the Bangor region as a powerhouse.

As Governor, Baldacci worked to elimi-nate the personal property tax on businessequipment and crafted a tax reform propos-al that was supported by the Chamber. In

addition, Baldacci never lost sight of theprize: jobs in Maine.

During the poor economy, focusing on jobsmeant largely honing in on keeping the jobsthat were already available. Keeping the millsopen and people employed was as importantas growing new jobs, he said. Baldacci's efforts,along with those of Maine legislators andemployers, meant that mills in Millinocket,Lincoln, Old Town, and Brewer could helpworkers get back to work and bring home asteady paycheck. Those jobs create a rippleeffect, allowing the Bangor Region to continueto grow and prosper. Workers will shop, dine,and be entertained in the area, he said.

Looking toward the future, “the creativeeconomy is the powerhouse for the Bangorregion.” That creative economy goes beyondthe arts; it encompasses tech jobs such as thewind energy project headed by the Universi-ty of Maine’s engineers and researchers. Italso encompasses technologies such as the

Old Town Fuel and Fiber Mill - another Uni-versity of Maine research collaboration.That project brought “200 people to workthere and represents $10 million in payroll.”

Baldacci was also instrumental in thedevelopment of Pine Tree DevelopmentZones and bringing broadband Internetconnections throughout the most ruralparts of Maine. But even beyond jobs andeconomic development, Baldacci saw theimportance in creating “destinations” in theVacationland state.

Baldacci said that’s why it’s so importantto support events like the National Folk Fes-tival and developing new avenues for bring-ing people into Maine. He’s particularlyinterested in watching the plans for the newBangor Arena.

“I think there’s concern about gettinginto a lot of debt with this project,” he said.“At the same time, we might be losing a lotof business because the current arena isn’tthe right set up. We need to look at what weneed to do to draw large conventions to ourarea. I know that when they come into Ban-gor for the first time, they’ll do business hereand want to come back.”

Governor John E. Baldacci: Catherine Liebowitz Award for Public Service

w w w . h u s s o n . e d u / m b a

Introducing the Husson MBA

A 36-credit hour program with tracks in general management, health care management, and non-profit management, as well as a concentration in Hospitality Management.

The School of Business also offers the following dual-degree programs:• BS in Accounting/MBA• BS in Computer Information Systems/MBA• BS in Business Administration/MBA• Independent Program of Study -

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For more information, visit us at the School of Graduate Studies Open Houseon February 5, 2011, or email [email protected].

HUSSON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Since 1898

NEWS FILE PHOTOGovernor John E. Baldacci is the recipient of the Bangor Region Chamber of

Commerce’s Catherine Liebowitz Award for Public Service.


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By Sheila Grant

Each year the Bangor Region Chamberof Commerce selects a recipient for theCommunity Service Award based onthat group or organization’s efforts to

make the Bangor Region’s quality of life bettereither by helping others directly or by enhanc-ing community or regional assets that add tothat quality of life. The 2010 Community Ser-vice Award recipient is the Senior League Base-ball World Series organization in Bangor.

When the city of Kissimmee, FL opted togive up the World Series, Bangor was one offour finalists to put in a bid, competingagainst cities in South Carolina, George andSt. Petersburg, FL for the event.

“We were awarded the tournament,” saidMike Brooker, Bangor’s Senior League Base-ball World Series tournament director.

Before that, Bangor’s facilities at Mans-field Stadium had to pass muster withinspectors sent here from the Little Leagueorganization, and organizers had to presenta plan of operations that clearly demonstrat-ed how the event would be sustained overtime. Best-selling author and Bangor resi-

dent Stephen King donated more than $1million toward construction of MansfieldStadium in 1992.

“Stephen King has provided some fund-ing over the years, and as part of the opera-tion plan early on he gave us a letter of sup-port that indicated that in the first five yearsif we came up short he would help bail usout, but we never did,” Brooker said. “We’vebeen able to pull it off every year.”

The Senior League Baseball World Series, for

athletes in the 15-to-16 age division from all overthe world, has been played in Bangor since 2002.

“It’s a pretty good economic stimulatorfor the area,” Brooker said. “It’s a way that weare able to showcase Bangor on the interna-tional stage. We have teams coming in fromall over the US and four international teams.”

Ten teams compete in the event. Five areUnited States regional winners. One is thehost team, which has been from Bangor forseven of the nine years, Brewer one year and

Orono one year. International players arewinners from the Canada, Asia-Pacific, LatinAmerica and EMEA (Europe, Middle Eastand Africa) districts.

“The international teams played in theirown countries and won the district nationaltournament in those countries to get intothe World Series,” Booker said.

While Booker modestly denied knowingwhy the Senior League was selected for theCommunity Service Award, benefits thathosting this international event havebrought to the region are clear.

According to the Bangor Regional Cham-ber of Commerce, the annual influx ofyoung baseball players, family members andspectators for the weeklong event positivelyaffects the region due to its tourism eco-nomic impact, its opportunity for interna-tional exposure through ESPN televisioncoverage of the final championship game,and through the local pride that it engendersin residents to host a successful internation-al youth event in their back yard.

For more information about the SeniorLeague Baseball World Series, visitwww.worldseries.bangorinfo.com.

Senior League World Series: Community Service Award

S: S.W. Cole Engineering Inc. • Saint JohnBoard of Trade • Saliba’s Rug Sales, Inc. •Sam’s Club • Sandollar Spa & Pool • Sandra A.Morin, Acct. • Sargent Corporation • Sargent,Tyler & West • Schoppee Dairy, LLC • SCOREBangor • Scotts LawnService • Sea Dog BrewingCo. • Seaboard Federal Credit Union • SeacoastScaffold and Equipment Corp. • Seacoast Secu-rity • Sebasticook Valley Healthcare • SecuritasSecurity Services, USA • Senator Richard Rosen• ServiceMaster Contract Services • SERVPROof Bangor/Ellsworth • Seven Islands Land Com-pany • Sewall Company • SGC Engineering LLC• Shaun N. Dowd, DMD • Shaw House • SheilaPechinski • Showcase Homes of Maine Inc •Sierra Communications Inc. • Simply Unfor-

getable Events By Mackie • Skelton Law Office •Sleep Well, Inc. • Smart EyeCare Center • Snow-man Printing & Stamps • Spectacular Event Cen-ter • Spectrum Medical Group, PA • Sprague’sNursery • Spruce Run Association • SST AeroServices • St. Joseph Healthcare • StagecoachExpress Catering • Standard Electric Co. • StateFarm Insurance: Amanda Leclair • Sterns Lum-ber Co. Inc. • Stevens Wellspring Group • Still-water Health Care • Streets Landscape & Lawn-care • Sunbury Village • Sutherland WestonMarketing Communications • Sweet DreamsMobile Auto Detailing • Swish Maintenance

T: Tail Waggin Training Center • Target MarketingMaine • Tastefully Simple • TBA Inc • TC HaffordBasement Systems • TD Bank: Exchange St. • TD

Bank: Union St. • TD Bank: Wilson St. • TDS Tele-com • TechFrog • Telephone Museum • TenderLawn Care • Terelar Advertising Productions, LLC• The Advertising Specialists of Maine, Inc. • TheAmerican Folk Festival • The Bangor Area Home-less Shelter • The Bangor Interpreting Agency •The Bangor Y • The Best Western White HouseInn • The By Us Company • The Byer Manufac-turing Co. • The Charles Inn • The CPA Solution,LLC • The Curran Homestead • The Documental-ist Inc. • The Getchell Agency, Inc. • The GreaterBangor Convention & Visitors Bureau • TheGround Round • The Housing Foundation • TheJackson Laboratory • The Lane ConstructionCorp. • The Lucerne Inn • The Maine Edge • TheOverhead Door Company of Bangor, Inc. • TheSheridan Corporation • The Sports Arena • The

UPS Store • The Warren Center for Communica-tion & Learning • The Weathervane Factory • This-tles Restaurant • Thomas DiCenzo, Inc. • ThomasSchool of Dance • Tim Horton’s: Brewer • TimHorton’s: Main St. Bangor • Tim Horton’s: OdlinRd. • Time Warner Cable • Toby Wood • Top HatII Dance Studio • Town of Bradley • Town ofEddington • Town of Glenburn • Town of Hampden• Town of Hermon • Town of Holden • Town of Mil-ford • Town of Orono • Town of Orrington • Townof Veazie • Tractor Supply Company • Trade WindsCar Wash • Transco Business Technologies •Tuesday Forum • Tuffy Bear Discount Furniture

U: U.S. Cellular • U.S. Congressman Michael H.



NEWS FILE PHOTO


By Debra Bell


After 115 years, the Bangor Sym-phony Orchestra is still one of theoldest continually operating

orchestras in the nation. That doesn’t meanthe organization doesn’t make changes,however, and the BSO has spent the last fewyears reorganizing its structure and injectinga new enthusiasm in order to ensure the suc-cessful future of the orchestra.

For its efforts, this year the BSO wasnamed the Bangor Region Chamber ofCommerce Nonprofit of the Year.

“We’re just over the moon about thisaward,” said BSO Executive Director DavidWhitehill, who joined the organization in2007. “We’ve done a lot of work the last fewyears at the organizational level. The BSOhas a rich history, but we know we need tolook to the future as well.”

For the BSO, that meant first taking aprudent look at its day-to-day operations.In order to cut back on expenses, the sym-phony’s administrative offices were movedto Husson University and its ticketing oper-ations were transferred to the University ofMaine’s Collins Center for the Arts, allowingthe BSO to streamline its functions. The staffwas pared down and responsibilities werereassigned. The BSO underwent a market-ing rebranding campaign with the helpSutherland Weston Marketing Communica-tions. In addition, the orchestra’s musiciansmoved their previous two-weekend rehears-al schedule to one weekend.

“We examined every aspect of the BSOfrom soup to nuts,” said BSO Board President

Samuel Lanham. “We kept what worked, dis-carded what didn’t work, and modified ouroperations respective to the times we live in.”

The changes worked, and the BSOremained solvent while other orchestrasaround the nation either dissolved underfinancial pressures or were forced to file forChapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganize theirstructures.

The BSO took another big step forwardwith the hiring of new music director LucasRichman. A well-respected conductor andcomposer, Richman was selected during aninternational search that saw the BSO receivearound 200 applications for the position. Rich-man, who recently received news he was part ofa Grammy-nominated classical music record-ing, has already injected a new sense of excite-ment and positive energy among both theaudience and musicians since he took the BSOpodium in October 2010. He is also eager tobegin working with young musicians in Maine.

“He’s so excited and passionate about theyouth,” Lanham said.

As is the entire organization, which hasinstituted a program designed to introduceyoung people and their families to the BSO.

The Know Your Orchestra! Program is avoucher offer, distributed by schools andprivate music teachers in Maine, throughwhich youngsters can attend an orchestraconcert for free, invite a friend to attend forfree, and invite a parent or guardian for $10each. Each voucher is coded so that BSOofficials are able to tell how and from wherestudents are receiving the voucher. So far,

youngsters from Bowdoinham to Fort Kenthave attended Bangor Symphony concertson Know Your Orchestra! vouchers.

“In terms of the future, there’s no ques-tion that young people are important,”Whitehill said. “Children have this energyassociated with them. When you see a lineupof strollers before a concert, that’s a victoryin our book. It means people are takingadvantage of the program. And we’re seeingpeople return using the vouchers all seasonlong. For some people, it’s their version of aseason pass.”

New subscribers to the BSO have alsoreceived a special incentive this year. The BSOoffered half-price season tickets to concertgo-ers who had never before subscribed, or for-mer season ticketholders whose subscriptionsin years past had lapsed. This season, 29 per-cent of the BSO’s subscribers are new.

“We wanted to ensure that everyone inour community can take part in enjoyingthe symphony,” Whitehill said.

Bangor Symphony Orchestra: Non-Profit of the Year

www.katahdintrust.com

Congratulationsto all of the

2011 BangorRegion Chamber

of CommerceAward Recipients!

Ashland • Bangor • Caribou • Eagle Lake • Easton • Fort Fairfield • Houlton • Island Falls • Limestone • Mars HillOakfield • Patten • Presque Isle • Van Buren • Washburn • Commercial Loan Offices: Bangor & Scarborough

We are pleased to support ourWe are pleased to support ourlocal chambers of commerce aslocal chambers of commerce asthey work diligently to enhancethey work diligently to enhance

the communities we live in.the communities we live in.the communities we live in.the communities we live in.

Opening in Hampden mid-2011!

PHOTO BY MICHAEL YORKThe Bangor Symphony

Orchestra is 115 yearsold this season. Con-

ductor Lucas Richmantook over the podium

this fall and the organi-zation is enjoying a

resurgence in interest.Because of its work,

the BSO is the BRCC’sNon-Profit of the Year.


Congratulations to allBangor Region Chamber

of Commerce awardrecipients and nominees.

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NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

By Debra Bell


John Diamond is no stranger to being apart of civic and community-orientedgroups. In fact, he believes that it is theresponsible thing to do when it comes

to strengthening a community.And that mindset is partly why Diamond

is the recipient of the Bangor Region Cham-ber of Commerce’s 2011 Arthur A. Com-stock Professional Service Award.

“I believe in civic and community involve-ment,” Diamond said.“It’s something my wifeMarcia and I’ve tried to pass on to our kids,just as our parents did with us. Being involvedin community life is something I truly enjoy.”

The Arthur A. Comstock Award is givenannually to a person who embodies a spiritof giving and has donated time and expert-ise to enhance the Bangor Region Chamberof Commerce and the region.

Diamond’s community may have moved— he recently took a job as the AssociateVice Chancellor for University Relations atthe University of Arkansas — but his effecton the Bangor Region’s community is obvi-ous. He became a member of the BRCC’sBoard in 1993 when he was Director of Pub-lic Affairs at the University of Maine inOrono. In 2008 he served as Vice Chair, andbecame the BRCC’s Chair in 2009.

“I always enjoyed the [Chamber] and itsability to make a difference in our communityand in the state,” said Diamond, who steppeddown from the Chamber’s Board in Septem-ber. His term officially ended on Dec. 31, 2010.

But while on the Chamber’s board andexecutive committee, he helped to enhancethe vision of the organization.

“We worked really hard to look at theneeds of the region and ascertain the best wayto move [the region] forward,” he said.“Therewas a lot of great groundwork laid by mypredecessors and it helped us build a strategic

plan for the next decade and further.”Outside of his work with the Chamber,

Diamond has been an advocate for the Ban-gor Region, has been involved with the Uni-versity of Maine Alumni Association, St.Mary’s Catholic Church, American LegionBaseball, Glenburn little league, John BapstMemorial High School music and sportsboosters clubs, the Catholic Foundation ofMaine Board of Trustees, as a board memberfor the United Way of Eastern Maine, and as aboard member for the American Folk Festival.

In addition, he represented Bangor in theMaine House of Representatives for eightyears, four of those years as a Majority Leader.

“My wife and I both grew up in familiesthat were deeply engaged in civic groups andcharitable organizations,” he said. “It was aresponsibility to be part of the community.In fact, the opportunity to make a differencewas part of what motivated me to stay soinvolved in the Chamber. There are manypeople and families who served in the

Chamber that have been good role modelsfor me: including the Bradfords, the Braggs,the Lafayettes, and the Woodcocks.”

“The Comstock family is another exampleof involvement. I know Arthur very well andI’m very flattered to receive this award,” Dia-mond said. “I think the world of both Arthurand Betty. The two of them epitomize theterm ‘community service’ because they do somuch and have done so much for so long.”

Diamond may have left Maine for warmerpastures, but his heart remains with the BangorRegion, he said. “I’m very optimistic about thedirection the Bangor Region Chamber is goingin,”Diamond said.“This region will play a lead-ership role in Maine and its quality of life. Andthe people running the Chamber have exactlywhat’s needed to move the region forward. I’llbe cheering long and loud for them.”

John Diamond: Arthur A. Comstock Professional Service Award

Michaud • U.S. Postal Service - Bangor • U.S. Sen-ator Olympia Snowe • U.S. Senator Susan Collins• UBS Financial Services Inc. • UniFirst Corpora-tion • Union Street Athletics • Uniship CourierServices • United Bank Card • United CerebralPalsy of Maine • United Technologies Center •United Way of Eastern Maine • University Collegeof Bangor • University Credit Union • UniversityInn/Academic Suites • University of Maine • Uni-versity of Maine Alumni Assn. • University ofMaine System

V: Vacationland Inn • Vacationland Realty •Vafiades, Brountas & Kominsky, LLP • VanceGrayWealth Management, Inc • Varney Agency • Ver-izon Wireless — Stillwater Ave • versionZeroDesign • Verso Paper • Volunteers of AmericaNNE • Voyager Networks of New England

W: W. Tom Sawyer Jr. • W.B. Mason • W.C.Weatherbee & Sons, Inc. • W.S. Emerson Co. Inc.• WABI-TV • Wal-Mart: Bangor • Wal-Mart: Brewer• Ward Green Group • Waste Management ofMaine • Watch Me Shine Preschool • Waterfront

Concert Series • WBRC Architects/Engineers •Weathervane Seafoods • Webber Energy Fuels •Webber Supply, Inc. • Weber MT, Inc. • WellmanPaving Inc. • Wellness Council of Maine • WellsFargo Advisors • Wells Fargo Home Mortgage •Wellspring, Inc. • Westgate Manor • Whittens 2-Way Service • Willey Law Offices • Willis HRHNorthern New England • Wilson’s Lawn Service,Snow Plowing • Windswept Gardens LLC • WingsFor Children & Families, Inc • Winterberry HeightsAssisted Living & Memory Care Community • Win-terport Winery • Wireless Zone (Verizon Wireless)• Wireless Zone- Bangor Mall • Wiseman Spauld-ing Design, Inc.-Antiquity Tile • WKIT/WZON: TheZone Corporation • Wood Associates • Woodard& Curran • Woodlands Assisted Living of Brewer• Work Opportunities Unlimited Inc. • WorkSourceStaffing Services/Springborn Staffing •WQCB/WBZN/WEZQ/WWMJ/WDEA • WVII-TV7/Fox 22

Y: Yachanin Building Construction • YMCA of OldTown and Orono • Yoshi: Japanese Restaurant



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By Richard R. Shaw

Ayear ago, Alex Gray stood on the

Bangor Waterfront and envisioneda few headline concerts the follow-ing summer. Now, with seven big

name shows and nearly 50,000 paid ticketsto his credit, the 34-year-old Old Town pro-moter’s Waterfront Concerts LLC hasreceived the Bangor Region Chamber ofCommerce’s newest accolade.

The Bion and Dorain Foster Entrepre-neurship Award recognizes an individual orbusiness whose innovation and creativitysucceeded in opening new economicopportunities for the region. The signing ofCeltic Woman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, TimMcGraw, Alan Jackson, Jason Mraz, Miran-da Lambert and Smackfest proved Gray’sgift for promotion.

“Ticket proceeds coupled with paymentsfor municipal services ... provided the citywith about $100,000 in revenue from the

2010 concert series,” reported Eric Russell inthe Bangor Daily News. “In addition, severalarea restaurateurs, hoteliers, retailers andbusiness leaders have agreed that the concertseries was a huge success.”

Gray’s inaugural venture, sponsored byHollywood Slots, enjoyed stellar supportfrom city staff, including Bass Park DirectorMike Dyer, Parks and Recreation DirectorTracy Willette and City Engineer Jim Ring.Shirar Patterson, business and economicdevelopment officer and staff liaison forDowntown Bangor Partnership, praised theshows, which ran from July 28 to Oct. 10.

“Events such as the Waterfront ConcertSeries have been part of a long-term visionof our waterfront redevelopment,” Pattersonsaid. “These types of events that bring largenumbers of people and activity to Bangormake our community even more attractiveto investors and business owners.”

Working out of his Old Town home, Grayis determined to keep his business local.

Waterfront Concerts LLC has only one otherstaffer, production manager Robbie Snow.Teaming with Bob Duteau of Live Nation,they stage concerts in such places as Oxford,Portland, Lewiston and Wiscasset.

“My impression of Alex is that he’s a verysharp guy,” said John Porter, president andCEO of the Bangor Region Chamber of Com-merce.“He partnered with Live Nation and cuta good deal with the city. ... As we debate a newMaine center [arena], we know that if you doit right, people will come to the region.”

The son of Seth Gray and Pam Gray, Alexgraduated from Old Town High School in 1994,earning a University of Maine engineeringdegree five years later. Entrepreneurship runs inhis family, since his ancestors established theOld Town Canoe Co. in 1900. At age 21, hestarted a live music club in Orono namedUshuaia, which in its seven years faced numer-ous legal challenges before closing in 2006.

“If it weren’t for Ushuaia, I wouldn’t bedoing what I’m doing now,” Gray said, hav-

ing learned from the well-publicized experi-ence. “Bangor gave me a chance, and I’mgrateful for that.”

With the unanimous approval of the CityCouncil, Waterfront Concerts will be backnext year featuring a planned 10 to 15 showsand a new amphitheater. The contract isgood from May 1 through Oct. 12, and Grayhopes to utilize every month. Acts couldinclude comedy, “tweens” (9- to 12-year-oldrange), rap and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Waterfront Concerts: Bion Foster Entrepreneurship Award

NEWS FILE PHOTOAlex Gray is the driving forcebehind Waterfront Concerts.

NEWS FILE PHOTOLeaders from the Bangor Chamber of Commerce were part of the City’s 125th

birthday celebration.

• John P. Frawley• Edwin N. Miller• John M. Oak• Eugene T. Savage• John G. Utterback

Committee Chairs were:

• John M. Oak, Agricultural Interests• Franklin E. Bragg, City Affairs• Charles M. Stewart, Conventions• Henry W. Cushman, Finance• C.A. Robbins, Membership• A. Langdon Freese, Municipal• B.M. Kirstein, New Industries• W.A. Hennessy, Publication• William H. Whittemore, Taxation• Edward R. Adams, TransportationRecords of the Chamber’s happenings

also included large quarterly meetings of themembership to provide updates, get inputand develop strategies to help businessesand patrons alike advance Bangor as a desti-nation.

In that vein, the mission of the Chamberhas not changed much.

In fact, in Chapin’s 1912 report, he reaf-firms what members of the BRCC todayknow:

“I will read a few sentences which appear

on the membership card. I think they arewell worth attention. They are as follows:

IInn BBaannggoorr,, aass iinn eevveerryy ootthheerr ccoommmmuunnii-ttyy,, tthheerree aarree cciittiizzeennss,, wwhhoo,, wwhheenn aasskkeedd ttoojjooiinn tthhee CChhaammbbeerr ooff CCoommmmeerrccee,, iinnqquuiirree::WWhhaatt aamm II ggooiinngg ttoo ggeett oouutt ooff iitt??

IItt iiss nnoott aa qquueessttiioonn ooff wwhhaatt YYOOUU aarreeggooiinngg ttoo ggeett oouutt ooff tthhee CChhaammbbeerr ooff CCoomm-mmeerrccee tthhaatt wwiillll ccoouunntt ffoorr BBAANNGGOORR..

See LEADERS, Page 23


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By Debra Bell


The Bangor Region Chamber ofCommerce’s Volunteer of the Yearis a man who knows that, whilemoney isn’t everything, managing

it properly can make a difference, both inbusiness and the community.

Glenn Mower, controller at Bangor LetterShop, is being recognized for his contribu-tions to the Chamber’s bottom line — quiteliterally.

Mower has been a volunteer with theChamber for the past five years, primarilyinvolved with the Wellness Council of Maineand currently serves as Treasurer, but hasalso served on the Chamber’s finance com-mittee and the Bangor Region LeadershipInstitute steering committee.

“The Chamber staff chose Glenn as ourvolunteer of the year because he’s given theChamber his help when it needed it most.We remade our accounting system in 2010,and Glenn was always there with advice andcounsel for our bookkeeper,” said John

Porter, president and CEO of the BangorRegion Chamber of Commerce.

Mower’s contributions to the Chambermay seem like they’re in the background, butin reality, his work has helped the mission ofthe Chamber and has made it easier for thestaff to help businesses thrive.

“By making sure that [the Chamber] canmove ahead, it will make the community abetter place,” Mower said. “I was totally sur-prised when [Board Chair Michael Balles-teros] called me with the announcementchosen by the chamber staff.”

But anyone who knows Mower —even in passing — can see why he was thebest choice for this award. Not only is hean invested businessman, but he believesin the philosophy of volunteering yourtime and talents to make the communitybetter.

Before he became the controller at Ban-

gor Letter Shop in 1995, he worked as anassistant store manager and in other posi-tions at Sears from 1974-1993, then forHarley Plumbing and Heating as theiraccountant from 1994 to 1995. Throughouthis working life, he has remained heavilyinvested in community.

Mower knows the importance of givingback to the community. He is heavily invest-ed in the Boy Scout program serving as aCubmaster for the past 31 years, director ofthe annual Council Pinewood Derby andPack Wagon Scramble, and a member cur-rently serving as the Audit Committee Chairof the Katahdin Area Council board. Underhis leadership he has worked with over 600scouts and has inspired 42 scouts to earn theEagle Scout rank including his own two sons.

Mower, a Husson University graduate, isthe President of the Husson UniversityAlumni Association, President of the Ban-

gor/Waterville Chapter-Institute of Manage-ment Accountants, audit chair of the Com-mon Sense Housing board and a memberand past president of the Bangor BreakfastKiwanis. He is an officer and auditor of St.Andrew’s Lodge #83, F&AM and investmentcommittee chair of the Bangor MasonicFoundation board. Glenn is an active mem-ber of the First United Methodist Church inBangor and the New England MethodistConference.

Mower has brought sense to the Cham-ber’s handling of dollars, and for that theorganization is grateful.

NEWS PHOTO BY DEBRA BELLGlenn Mower, controller at Bangor

Letter Shop is the Chamber’s 2010Volunteer of the Year.

“By making sure that [the Chamber] can move ahead,it will make the community a better place.”

GLENN MOWER, VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Glenn Mower: BRCC Volunteer of the Year

HistoryContinued from Page 14


By Debra Bell


The organizers of Bangor’s newestmusic and arts festival will be rec-ognized for its contribution to

Bangor’s economic climate.The Bangor Region Chamber of Com-

merce gives its Fusion F.L.A.V.A. Award(Fusion Leadership And Vision Award) toan individual, organization or business that“promotes the common good of youngprofessionals in the Bangor region, makessignificant contributions to the advance-ment and development of those individu-als, or demonstrates a notable commitmentto providing them with opportunities forleadership and civic involvement.”

It’s almost like the award was writtenfor the KahBang Music and Arts Festival.And the organizers of the KahBang festivalare the recipients of the 2010 Fusion Flavaaward.

The KahBang Festival was started by acore group of eight 20-somethings from

the Bangor area who wanted to providethe region with something they never had— a national-caliber arts and entertain-ment event geared toward the area’syounger generation.

“The KahBang festival started in 2009and was created by myself and seven otherpeople all from the Bangor area,” said headorganizer Christopher Michaud. “We real-ly wanted to throw an event geared towardthe youth — like us — offering somethingwe hadn’t had before.”

In its first year, KahBang was a one-dayevent and 2,000 attendees. It also was thefirst ticketed event on the Bangor Water-front. In 2010, the event had expanded tonine days and added art, film, and musicto its festival lineup and attendance hadnearly quadrupled.

“There was interest from every down-town venue,” Michaud said.

In 2011, the festival will once more benine days long and incorporate nationaland local music acts, incorporate down-town merchants into the festivities evenmore, and once more involve art exhibits.

“We’re expanding the festival, but we

also really liked the format from last year,”Michaud said. “We’ve built this festivalcompletely from scratch. All the moneystays in Bangor. We raise funds throughticket sales and sponsorships and the maininterest is quality.”

And, Michaud said, quality doesn’t justcome from national acts. It’s also aboutshowing off the creative economy centeredin downtown Bangor. “We like to have amixture of both national and local musicacts, but the focus has always been on thisas a discovery festival,” Michaud said. The“discovery” might be a great local act, or abreakout artist just starting to make a namefor himself. The discovery also means thatyoung people will start viewing Bangor asthe primary cultural center of the state.

“We’re super excited to win this award,”Michaud said. “It feels good to be legiti-matized by the Chamber of Commerce.We’re all in our twenties and it’s hard to betaken seriously sometimes. We didn’tthink like business people in the begin-ning, but in our third year, we’ve buttoneddown and streamlined. This year is goingto be awesome.”

NEWS PHOTO BY DEBRA BELL(Above) Christopher Michaud is oneof the organizers of the annual Kah-

Bang Art and Music Festival. (Below):Audiences were able to interact with

artists. (NEWS File Photo)

KahBang Art & Music Festival: Fusion F.L.A.V.A. Award

BBuutt iitt iiss aa qquueessttiioonn ooff wwhhaatt yyoouu aarree ggooiinnggttoo ppuutt iinnttoo tthhee CChhaammbbeerr ooff CCoommmmeerrccee..

YYoouu mmuusstt hhaavvee aabbssoolluuttee ffaaiitthh iinn BBAANN-GGOORR,, oorr yyoouu ccaannnnoott mmaakkee OOTTHHEERR PPEEOO-PPLLEE hhaavvee ffaaiitthh iinn tthhee bbeesstt cciittyy iinn MMaaiinnee..

Every one of us should bear in mindthese sentiments.

Again I urge every member to work atall times for the best interests of the organ-ization. By so doing it means having anactive concern for Bangor’s progress. Withunited and whole-hearted effort we cannotfail in obtaining the best results.”Chapin was a grocer and the mayor of

Bangor from 1899 to 1901. In his role as theleader of the newly developed Chamber, hebegan the process of strengthening his com-munity. Today’s leadership follows in a line

of proud, tough leaders.The membership of the Chamber ebbed

and flowed, but at its roots always remainedstrong. Strong leaders helped advance thecase for doing business locally.

But it was always about more than justthe members. Part of the mission of theChamber was to advance Bangor. By advo-cating for the city and providing a strongbase for its business membership, the peopleof the Bangor region ultimately benefitted.

Working together with the Bangor Mer-chant’s Association, the Chamber advocatedfor business growth, balance throughout thecity in growth, and in the development ofincentives and events aimed at increasingbusiness to Bangor merchants.

Several of those outreach events includedthe Downtown Dollar Days and Paul Bun-yan days. Full page ads in the Bangor Daily

LeadersContinued from

See CHAMBER, Page 24


C O U N S E L O R S A T L A W

•••CONGRATULATIONS•••

Bangor Region Chamber of Commercefor

100 years of service to Maine!

&

The Forest Society of Maine extends its congratulations to the 2011 award winners. Thank you for your

dedication and service to the Bangor region!

To find out about FSM�s unique approach to land conservation in Maine, please contact us today!

115 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor * Bangor, ME 04401 * 207-945-9200 * [email protected] * www.fsmaine.org

Commercial (now the Bangor Daily News).The Chamber also took advantage of its

unique position to advocate on behalf of itsmembers and the city to encourage peopleto visit Bangor. Forging relationships withlegislative leaders was an imperative way toget Bangor’s message to the people who hadcontrol of legislation that could either posi-tively or negatively affect the region.

Originally, the Chamber only served Bangor.Other outlying communities had their ownChambers.It wasn’t soon before Bangor’s Cham-ber combined with several other area Chambers.In 1996, the Chamber’s name was changed to theBangor Region Chamber of Commerce. Thatmove not only merged resouces, but created alarger and more powerful organization capableof advocating for more members.

The BRCC has endured several wars,always looking out for the interests of thepeople in business and in the region. Adver-tising campaigns encouraged people to dotheir civic duty and vote, or to buy warbonds. In essence, the BRCC has always hadthe people of the area in mind.

That’s where the development of many ofthe Chamber’s programs come into play.

ChamberContinued from

PHOTOS COURTESY BRCC(Above): Technology has certainly changed since the BRCC formed in 1911. Inthis file photo, a typewriter is being used by William Hennessy. Today, typewrit-

ers have given way to computers, laptops, smart phones, and the Internet.(Photos at right): Chamber After

Hours networking events are also anopportunity available to BRCC mem-bers. The Chamber has held Cham-

ber After Hours events for severaldecades. Education events, such as

the Business Revolution BreakfastSeries, also provide insight into busi-

ness in the Region.See ANNIVERSARY, Page 26

Congratulations Glenn Mower!Chamber Volunteer of the Year

from all of us at BANGOR LETTER SHOPWe’re So Much More Than Quick!

Rod BlackGovernmental Affairs

Ziegler Financial


Congratulations to Gary

Smith, recipient of the

Norbert X. Dowd Award!

Rosscare values aging and strives to improve the lives of older adults. Visit our website to learn more.

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Stay Close. Gor Far.

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John PorterPresident

Karen ColeExecutive Vice

President

Marcia BakerAdministrative

Assistant

Martha TalbotBookkeeper

Jamie LaliberteDirector of Wellness

Council of Maine

Kelly EnbergDirector of Membership

Development

Johann SabbathDirector of Program

Development &Member Value

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Staff

Julia MunseyChair

Oxford Networks

Dan TrembleVice Chair

Fairmount Market/Ground Round

Andy HamiltonBusiness Retention &

DevelopmentEaton Peabody

Michael BallesterosPast Chair

Eastern Maine Community College

2011 BRCC Executive Committee

James GeretyTreasurer

Bangor Mall

Betsy VickeryMembership Chair

W.S. Emerson

Ex-Officio Board MembersCity and town managers of the municipalities

served by the Bangor Region Chamber

Kerrie Tripp, CVB President

Mike Aube, EMDC President

Tom Palmer, Community Council Chair

Rebecca Hupp, BIA Executive Director

Mike Dyer, Bass Park Director

Anne-Marie StoreyRudman & Winchell, Member-at-Large

Arthur ComstockAssociate Member, Member-at-Large

Mailing Address:519 Main Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Telephone:(207) 947-0307

E-mail:[email protected]

Web site:www.bangorregion.com

Contact Information

The development of “Business After Hours” events, was initiallydesigned to allow member businesses to network with each otherafter the work day was done. Networking is a proven way to notonly increase business to business transactions, but it’s also a wayto allow business owners to better meet client needs. Each businessafter hours is hosted by a member business.

Today’s Chamber has many new programs and committees that100 years ago would have been unheard of. Fusion: Bangor is a pro-gram of the Chamber that encourages young business people tonetwork, receive support, and reverse the brain drain that Maine isexperiencing. Aimed at 20-40 year olds, Fusion has brought on anew generation of leaders, priming them for the future.

The Chamber’s Facebook and online presence are also advancementsthat have helped the Chamber advance its mission. Now anyone, fromacross the region or across the country can access information aboutwho to do business with. The authority that being a member of theChamber brings with it is priceless, especially for smaller businesses.

The Wellness Council of Maine is another fairly recent additionto the Chamber’s programs. WCLME provides support and edu-cation to businesses to improve worker health and satisfaction.

The BRCC also knows the merit in celebrating local leaders andbegan giving awards, including the prestigious Norbert X. Dowdaward for an exemplary business man or woman. What started asone award has grown to nine awards granted annually. As the timeschange, additional awards are added. And it’s not just the board thatpicks; nominations from fellow chamber members are accepted.

As the BRCC looks to another 100 years serving the Region andits businesses, the Chamber has its eyes on adapting to changingtechnology and additional challenges. And it’s the people of theregion who will be the winners.


Mary BrooksCourtyard by Marriott

Rich ArmstrongSnowman Printing

Susan ChaarConcentra

Lynne ChurchillCourtyard by Marriott

Dan DauphineeNortheastern Log Homes

Emil GenestSAD #22

Jane IrvingBangor Savings Bank

Jerry LivengoodBangor Natural Gas

Cathy MaharCamden National Bank

Dennis MarbleGreater Bangor Area

Homeless Shelter

Andy FitzpatrickAssociate Member

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Directors

Renee KellyUniversity of Maine

Steve RichWBRC A/E

John SimpsonConsultant

Suzanne SpruceEMHS

Andy SturgeonJ.W. Sewell Co.

Marion SyversonNorumbega Financial

Lee SperonisHusson University

AnniversaryContinued from Page 24

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRCC

Member FDIC

Congratulations Gary Smith,winner of the Norbert X. Dowd Award.

It’s the dedication of business people like you that makes our communities so strong.

Thank you Gary—for committing your time and talent to serve others. We’re proud to share your dedication to helping Mainers achieve their dreams. As Maine’s largest independent bank, we know that neighbors helping neighbors is what makes our communities strong.

And that’s what makes Maine strong.

www.bangor.com | 1.877.Bangor1 (1.877.226.4671)

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2011

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Transcript of Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2011