Profile 2009 Section C

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ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUN JOURNAL APRIL 11, 2009

2009

C2 Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 11, 2009P R O F I L E 2009

C3Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 11, 2009 P R O F I L E 2009

Gregory Strong and safe money

strategies for retirees ... offered

through local seminars

By ElizaBEth WEBstEr

Freelance Writer

Interested in protecting your retirement money and finding safe ways for that money to

grow and provide income? Then plan on attending an upcoming seminar on that subject with well-known retirement plan-ner Gregory Strong.

Strong has been helping fellow Mainers with their financial and retirement plans for more than three decades – since Sept. 1, 1975. In fact, more than 13,000 people have met with him to discuss their finan-cial and retirement concerns. Many Lew-iston-Auburn area retirees have attended Strong’s popular financial seminars and workshops.

Upcoming is Strong’s “Financial Concerns For Retirement” seminar at Marco’s Restaurant in Lewiston on April 23 at 5:15 p.m. Anyone who is retired or retiring soon and looking for some great financial ideas for their money can register for this workshop simply by calling Strong’s Yarmouth office at 846-0734; or call him toll free at 877-692-3979.

“I offer education and am interested in helping people who are retired, or are thinking about retiring, understand their financial choices. Attendees at my seminars have come up to me afterward to say that they appreciated my straight talk. They said it made it easier for them to understand their financial choices and that they liked my advice on how to make their money work safely for them,” Strong explained.

The experienced retirement planner of-fers no obligation consultations to people age 55 and older, and conducts these one-on-one meetings at his various locations in Lewiston, Yarmouth, Portland, Saco, Naples and Augusta.

Strong can easily list the costly mis-takes that retirees commonly make.

“I’ve seen these same issues and con-cerns come up over and over again in my 33 years of practice. They include not understanding how to avoid and reduce the devastating costs of long-term care. Left unchecked, these costs could exceed $60,000 annually,” Strong stated.

The retirement planner says many re-tirees don’t properly plan their 401K, IRA and other retirement plans which causes them to leave too much of their hard earned money to taxes or probate fees.

“Proper distribution planning – one of my specialties – is key to maximizing

money to one’s family and mini-mizing taxes,” Strong com-mented, noting that improperly set up retire-ment plans “could lose 30 percent, 40 per-cent or more to the IRS.”

Not understanding safe ways for money to grow and provide income is another mistake cited by the retirement planner. Strong teaches conservative concepts to protect retirees’ money.

Strong pointed out that, “Procrastina-tion is the single biggest mistake that re-tired people make – putting off decisions. Too often I see people who set up their retirement strategies a few years ago and then never revisit their plan or their advisor never gets back to them. Con-sequently, they don’t keep up with how their money is doing and all the choices that are out there.”

Strong highly recommends that retir-ees not put off reviewing their financial picture. The retirement planner said that retirees and those considering retire-ment “should take advantage of all the ed-ucation and information that is out there. That is why I offer the seminars and the follow-up consultations that explain im-portant strategies and offer solutions.”

Strong invites area residents con-cerned with “safe money management” and estate planning issues to join him at one of his upcoming seminars or for a one-on-one consultation by calling his of-fice toll free at 877-692-3979.

Securities offered through Mutual Service Corporation. Mutual Service Corporation and LPL Financial are af-filiated companies and are members of FINRA/SIPC.

40 Forest Falls Drive, Yarmouth;

207-846-0734.


By Rich LivingstonFreelance Writer

It’s personal. It’s family. It’s community. It’s tradition. Champoux Insurance has

been providing a wide array of protec-tion to individuals, families and busi-nesses for more than half a century by being dedicated to their slogan, “Delivering on the Promise.” It’s a promise, explains Agency Production Manager Dick Albert, that is fulfilled by a staff of more than 30 people in five family-owned and operated offices stra-tegically arrayed around Maine, people who are totally dedicated to the safety, security and peace of mind of all their customers.

Whether the need is to protect home and property, vehicles, recreation equipment, spe-cial collections; whether there’s a need for life or health insurance, disability or long-term care; a variety of financial services including annuities, IRAs, 401-(K) plans, mutual funds, stocks and bonds; or specialized business in-surance, the agencies of Champoux Insurance can design exactly the right kind of coverage.

“Over 80% of our new business comes from referrals,” Albert explains, “and that’s im-portant to us for lots of reasons. Most of all, it means that our clients are pleased with what we’ve done for them. It means that many of our clients combine their personal needs, and those of their families, with those of their businesses, as well. We can provide them with whatever they need, and that’s gratifying to us, too.”

Founded in 1954 by Maurice and Pauline Champoux, the agency operated from 215 Pine Street in Lewiston until relocating to Sabat-tus Street in 2003. The year 2009 will be the 10th anniversary for agency president Diane Champoux Iannotti, who took over for her par-ents in 1999.

Today, Champoux Insurance, Champoux Fi-nancial Services, and affiliated Rogers Insur-ance of Lisbon Falls and Brunswick, Pinkham Insurance of Farmingdale and People Insur-ance of Ogunquit are among the few remain-ing family-owned independent insurance agencies in Maine – increasingly rare in an industry that was until recently dominated by such companies.

“The fact that we all live here, we are all con-nected to the communities we serve, we are all active in community affairs, and that as a company we are still family oriented and com-mitted to serving our clients with complete dedication, is really important,” says Albert, himself a former Lewiston city councilor. “These communities are our homes, too. We care about where we live, we care about our friends and neighbors, and so we care deeply about providing the very best products and service possible.”

Champoux’s clients are about evenly divid-ed between businesses and individuals or fam-ilies. While the agency staff has experience in virtually all the kinds of businesses in Maine, they have specialized in auto dealers and repairs; the hospitality and restaurant indus-tries; schools; contractors, including perfor-mance bonding; churches and other non-profit organizations; manufacturers; printing and publications; real estate; retailers; transporta-tion services; and professional services. The firm can supply property, liability, workers’ comp, professional liability, bonding, and all sorts of specialized coverage.

Champoux Insurance:

Never business as usual

Champoux Insurance group

“The promise we deliver on,” says Albert, “is the prom-ise to take care of you. We’ll make sure you have the right coverage, at the best possible price, and that if you ever do have a claim, that it gets settled quickly and efficiently and that you can get on with your life. We live here, too, and we have, now going on to the third generation. We take our business personally.”

The generations behind family-owned Champoux Insurance agencies, from this undated photo, back row from left, Tim Pinkham, Diane Champoux Iannotti and Brenda Rogers. In front are Muriel Pinkham, Murice Champoux and Jack Rogers.

CHAMPOUX INSURANCEDELIVERING ON THE PROMISE

416 Sabattus St. ~ Lewiston ~ (207) 783-2246www.maineinsuranceonline.com


New home of Oxford Federal Credit Union’s Norway officeFormer Ketner Pharmacy building

By Dave McLaughLinFreelance Writer

Throughout its 71 years of member-centered service, Oxford Federal Credit Union

has helped thousands of members meet their savings and investment goals, and lending needs, through the long standing culture of credit unions – “People Helping People.”

From its humble beginnings in 1938 on the docks of the Oxford Paper Company to where it has evolved today, Oxford Fed-eral Credit Union has remained true to its mission of building lifetime financial relationships by offering quality products and personalized service to the communi-ties it serves – which is anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Ox-ford County.

With an eye to the future, while pre-serving a successful past, Oxford Federal Credit Union will be introducing a new logo that some members and staff say reflects the credit union’s progress and growth. The fresh new-look logo, with a planned unveiling of April 15 at the An-nual Meeting of the Membership, is one element of a comprehensive branding plan designed to position Oxford Federal Credit Union as the preferred financial

institution in Oxford County. The new logo which will be unveiled

in April also helps illustrate our pledge to customer service. Our new tagline is “Let’s Grow Together.” We chose this tagline to reinforce to our members that we are there for them. We want to be a part of their success as much as they are a part of our success. We want to help our members grow too, and how do we do that? With excellent customer service.

“We involved the entire staff in discuss-ing Oxford Federal Credit Union’s readi-ness for change and later sought their input on specific logo designs,” Steven Hildebrand, marketing coordinator at OF-CU said. “Our process brought far greater consensus for this design than any of us anticipated. Our staff has a great affection for the logo and its tagline – ‘let’s grow together.’ The ‘tree’ in the logo resonated with the employees, who like the sturdy branches which continue to grow, and the colorful leaves are representative of our wonderful members.”

Oxford Federal Credit Union has been serving the community since 1938 by pro-viding low-fee financial services and un-paralleled customer commitment, always

working to preserve members’ assets while providing financial services to meet members’ needs.

“Our members are also owners, helping each other offer lower interest rates on loans, higher interest rates on deposits and other competitively priced financial services,” Hildebrand said.

In September of 2009, OFCU will move it’s Oxford, Maine office of Oxford Federal Credit Union to Norway, Maine, having recently purchased the former Ketner Pharmacy property, located at 54 Fair Street in Norway. The new office offers plenty of parking, easy accessibility, a spacious and private interior for member transactions and a drive-thru and night deposit box.

Whether our members utilize the main office in Mexico or the branch office in Oxford, they are owners of the business and can all take advantage of the many benefits of membership – like the compas-sionate, professional service from local decision makers, and the practical, conve-nient services needed to accommodate the busy financial lives of our members. Be-ing a resident of Oxford County can bring you to Oxford Federal Credit Union, but our friendly service and countless ben-efits will help you stay a member of the Oxford Federal Credit Union family.

Let’s grow together: New logo symbolizes growing philosophy

Two locations: 225 River Road P.O. Box 252 Mexico, Maine 04257 Tel: (207) 369-9976 1591 Main Street Oxford, Maine 04270 Tel: (207) 743-2638 Toll Free: 800 991-9219


Growth council works to create jobs, opportunities in L-A

The term “economic development” means different things to different people. For many, it’s a phrase that often generates blank stares, polite nods, or

general glaze-over. For the staff of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth

Council, however, the definition is quite simple. In a nut-shell, it’s about creating jobs, encouraging local investment, and increasing the local tax base.

LAEGC accomplishes these ends by providing four basic services: site search assistance to clients who want to expand or relocate a business to the Twin Cities; technical assis-tance, such as directing clients through a permitting process or compiling market research; gap financing; and marketing and public relations support, whether in the form of special events planning for clients or for community-wide market-ing.

“Most people are familiar with some of our projects and initiatives, even though they may not know that LAEGC was behind them or partnered in making them a reality,” says Lucien Gosselin, LAEGC president. “When we tell people we’re the agency that partnered with city officials and the Chamber to transform the old Pontiac Building into the Busi-ness Service Center at Keybank Plaza, or that we organize the annual Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show, or that we’re the gatekeepers of the “L-A: It’s Happening Here!” campaign, that usually strikes a chord.”

Operating out of a new central business center at 415 Lis-bon Street with its sister agencies the Lewiston Development Corporation, the Auburn Business Development Corpora-tion, and the Lewiston-Auburn Railroad Company, the orga-nization has a much broader scope, a longer client list, and a heftier asset portfolio to manage than it did when it first opened for business in 1981.

LAEGC currently manages about $16 mil-lion in total assets (mostly from its sister corporations, which LAEGC staffs), man-ages 29 outstanding loans to clients big and small, oversees a Foreign Trade Zone, man-ages the aforementioned property at 415 Lis-bon Street, coordinates a number of special projects, and serves on about 50 committees or boards through its five staff members.

Among some of the recent projects LAEGC has worked on include: provid-ing site location assistance to distribution and logistics companies including FedEx, Estes Express, and Bisson Transportation; helping the Auburn Business Development Corporation to develop the new Auburn Industrial Park; helping to land the giant Wal-Mart Distribution Center, a nearly 1-million-square-feet facility; and partner-ing with the city of Lewiston, LDC, and the Androscoggin Land Trust to develop a wet-lands mitigation program.

LAEGC-assisted companies have paid more than $18 million in taxes, and the number of people employed by LAEGC-as-sisted companies totals more than 15,000.

Despite a nagging recession, the Growth

Council has been quite busy over the past 12 months. In De-cember, Merrill Lynch celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony after locating on the third floor of the Business Service Cen-ter. The marketing director has been working with the new Marriott Residence Inn to help with marketing and public relations efforts for the new extended-stay hotel in Auburn. At the Auburn Industrial Park, a second project is nearing completion, this time a warehouse for a large agribusiness soon to be announced.

Meanwhile, staff is working with the Lewiston Develop-ment Corporation to build a spec building on Forrestal Street in Lewiston. LAEGC staff also oversees several properties owned and managed by the L-A Railroad Company, and con-tinues its mission to preserve the rail corridor along down-town Lewiston where Railroad Park is located. The Growth Council also recently delivered a presentation focusing on L-A’s renaissance to 500 real estate industry representatives

at the Maine Real Estate and Development Association’s An-nual Forecasting Conference in Portland.

As part of its popular community image and awareness campaign called “L-A: It’s Happening Here!” WGME-13 and LAEGC recently produced and aired a 30-minute promotion-al video on Lewiston-Auburn. The production aired on WG-ME-13 on three consecutive Saturdays, and was also made into a promotional DVD. The LAItsHappeningHere.com Web site also continues to attract hundreds of visitors, and is regularly updated with the latest festivals, entertainment, and arts events.

LAEGC’s two signature events, the Business to Business Trade Show and its Annual Dinner and Business Forum, have both grown in size and stature each year. The B to B show is the state’s largest one-day business event, attracting nearly 2,500 attendees and nearly 200 exhibitors.

This year’s trade show, slated for June 11 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, has as its theme, “Recharging Your Business.” Among the highlights of the show will be a contest to win a 2010 Toyota Prius, sponsored by Emerson Toyota. Qualifying contestants have to guess the number of batteries located in the car trunk in order to win the car.

The LAEGC Annual Dinner, tentatively slated to take place May 14 at the Ramada Conference Center, features a prominent keynote speaker to be announced. The event also includes a forum for the cities of Lewiston and Auburn to present the winners of their annual Economic Achievement Awards.

LAEGC is also involved in marketing the area’s burgeon-ing distribution and logistics industry through various strategic planning and marketing efforts, including pursu-

ing business connections with Atlantic Canada and broader international trade and shipping connections. The area’s distribution and logis-tics potential is one reason the Growth Council applied for and received a Foreign Trade Zone designation, a federal program allowing qualify-ing companies that conduct international trade the option to save, defer, or eliminate tariffs on imported goods or raw materials.

Perhaps equally as important is the behind-the-scenes business advocacy and community support the Growth Council provides. LAEGC is immersed in transportation planning; advo-cating for community assets such as the area’s colleges, hospitals, and arts organizations; and assisting the two cities with long-term goals including downtown development and retail at-traction.

“Some people measure our success in dollars and cents, or the number of tax dollars gener-ated by companies expanding or relocating here,” says Paul Badeau, marketing director. “Others measure our success in terms of job creation. Both of these are rightful indicators, but there’s a third measure, and it’s a bit more elusive. At the end of the day, we need to be able to justify that our work makes a substantial and sustained difference to the quality of living and working in the Twin Cities.”

Standing, left to right: Loan Portfolio Manager Ken St. Amand, President Lucien Gosselin, Economic Development Specialist George Dycio;

sitting, Staff Accountant Stephanie Lewis, Marketing Director Paul Badeau.

Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council415 Lisbon Street, P.O. Box 1188

Lewiston, ME 04243-1188Phone: 784-0161

Fax: 786-4412www.economicgrowth.org


Seniors Financial Planning Group:

Retire and Enjoy LifeBy Rich Livingston

Freelance Writer

“The fact is,” said Richard Theri-ault, principal financial advisor of Seniors Financial Planning

Group, “that most people spend more time planning a vacation than they spend plan-ning for retirement.” At the same time, he explained, those who do plan adequately to retire are always able to enjoy a more com-fortable post-retirement lifestyle than those who fail to plan, regardless of whether they have any assets when they become eligible for Social Security and Medicare.

“We’re retirement dream facilitators,” The-riault explained. “We want retirement to be as enjoyable and carefree for everyone as pos-sible. We don’t want folks to have to worry about their financial well-being.”

While this is a notion that may have par-ticular resonance in this troubled economy, Theriault says that retirement issues have been complicated by the fact that people are simply living longer than they used to, and longer life spans sometimes carry new health issues, as well. People who might have ex-pected to live 15 or 20 years after retirement can now look forward to 30 years, or more, of retirement.

Seniors Financial Planning Group is a unique service that works only with retirees or those within months of retiring. “It’s nev-er too soon to start planning,” Theriault said, “and we welcome a chance to provide advice to 45 or 50-year olds. We’ll help point them in the right direction with a free consultation, then advise them to come back to us before they actually retire. That’s when we do our most important work.”

Planning typically includes an assessment of Medicare, long-term care, and a wide vari-ety of investment options that minimize risk while providing long-term growth and a cur-rent income stream. Most programs designed by Seniors Financial Planning Group operate with far less risk than market-based invest-ments, although there are some available

which can be market-driven, as well. “We don’t advise people about how to plan

for college expenses, for example,” is how Theriault explained the unique practice. “We don’t provide long-term, aggressive market-driven advice. Our concentration is exclu-sively with those who are just about ready to retire right now and who don’t have years to watch investments grow slowly.”

“We advise people to strike a balance be-tween their immediate financial needs and their longer term interests such as wealth transfer to their loved ones upon death, which is of the utmost importance in the planning process,” Theriault said.

CRFAs are specialists in retirement plan-ning. Theriault has completed the rigorous training and certification process of the Society of Certified Retirement Financial Advisors and has earned the coveted Certi-fied Retirement Financial Advisor (CRFA)® designation.

Seniors Financial Planning Group sponsors a series of FREE workshops that deal with the broad scope of retirement issues, as well as a series of more topical, narrowly-focused workshops that deal in greater depth with particular issues.

Those attending workshops often have many questions and are offered a FREE hour consultation with Richard to answer any questions they may have regarding their indi-vidual situation. Other FREE services for se-niors include a consultation with an attorney on what they call ‘Lawyer’ day. This is when an attorney is made available at their office to answer any and all questions regarding wills, trusts, and probate. Seniors Financial Plan-ning Group even provides discounted tax preparation services to seniors with simple returns. “Did you know,” Theriault asked, “that lots of people actually pay more taxes af-ter they retire than they did while they were working? That doesn’t have to happen!”

Most people work all their lives for the chance to stop working. Seniors Financial Planning Group is there to make sure they can retire when they like and how they like.

Testimonials“I think he’s honest. There’s no question that he’s helped me

greatly. He helped me hang onto what I’ve got – not only prin-cipal protection but my gain too.”

– Mr. R. Audet, Sabattus

“Richard answered all of our questions and gave us a lot of information we didn’t know about social security, how to save on taxes, and health insurance. He really pays attention to us and gives us prompt service. Everyone should go to one of his workshops…really!”

– Mr. & Mrs. M. Laroche, Lewiston

“One of the best things I’ve ever done was to attend this workshop. Richard saved my house and my finances.”

– Mr. G. Albert, Lewiston

Richard Theriault sits with Brigitte Laliberte, office manager, and Jason Theriault, associate, to review new financial strategies.

www.sfpg.biz179 Lisbon Street Lewiston 207-514-0294

Profile 2009 Section C

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