2010 Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce Annual Report
Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 59 Lewiston, ME 04243-0059 Ph: 207-783-2249 Fax: 207-783-4481 www.androscoggincounty.com info@androscoggincounty.com
Dear Members: 2010 was a year of continued growth for your Chamber. In contrast to other membership organizations The Chambers grew to its highest point in history 1380 members following the largest membership drive ever. Working together we accomplished many key objectives, including: Hosted Gubernatorial candidate forum at the October Breakfast. Videos of the forum were posted on the Chamber website and ran frequently on Great Falls TV. Annual meeting sponsored by Androscoggin Bank and cosponsored by Oxford Networks, Poland Spring Bottling Company and the Maine Turnpike Authority was totally sold out. Hosted Joint Business After Hours with Portland Chamber at Spring Meadows Golf Club in Gray. Hosted joint Business After Hours with Southern Midcoast Chamber at Floor Systems in Lisbon. Record 125 volunteers joined us on Thank You Day to deliver new 2010 Resource Guides to Chamber members. Published 2010 Election Monitoring Report outlining qualifications of local candidates for the legislature. The report was mailed to nearly 60,000 homes. Worked with a local group to land 2010 Democratic State Convention in L/A for the first time since 1986. Put together highly attended seminar series, “Saving Energy/Saving $$$,” which was sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch. Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show, organized by LAEGC, was again a sell-out. Over 400 members attended the trade show breakfast at Bates. Raised over $42,000 for scholarships for local students. 150 volunteers led largest membership drive in Chamber history, helping the Chamber gain 85 new members. In our annual survey, members were asked to rate chamber performance in areas from poor to excellent. The overall rating was 3.90 on a 4.00 scale, the highest rating in Chamber history. In addition, members gave many helpful suggestions for Chamber programs. This annual report to members is dedicated to all those organizations and individuals whose support we rely on for our continuing success. We look forward to an even more successful 2011. Thank you for being there for us!
Chip
Business Advocacy Co-Chairs, Peter Traill of Nason Mechanical Systems, Inc. and Clif Greim of Harriman Architects & Engineers This committee seeks greater commitment from elected representatives to address the needs of the business community. Committee Members: Mark Adams, Sebago Technics Inc Glenn Aho, City of Auburn Dick Albert, Champoux Insurance Agency Michael Bigos, Berman & Simmons Ryan Booker, Hahnel Bros Co Art Boulay, Strategic Talent Management Kathy Boulet, Boulet Steele Chiropractic & Acupuncture Rep. Mike Carey Michael Cox, PHD, FACSM, Central Maine Orthopaedics Carl Duchette, Duchette Insurance Agency Inc Adam Dunbar, Wells Fargo Advisors LLC Hillary Eaton, Austin Associates PA CPAs Kate Egeland, International Paper Auburn Kevin Fletcher, TEAM FLETCHER, CB Millett Realty Dick Gleason, WEZR 1240 - GleasonMedia.com Lucien Gosselin, LAEGC Elaine Hemenway, Payroll Management Inc Jonathan LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust Jim Lamson, L & B Electrical Contractors Inc Ronald Lebel, Skelton Taintor & Abbott PA Daniel Leonas, City Transportation Group Elizabeth Liscomb, Beauti Basics Skin Care Daniel Mynahan, Bilodeau Insurance Agency Phil Nadeau, City of Lewiston Noreen Norton, Weatherization Wizards John L Painter Iman Poeraatmadja, Burgess Computer Cynthia Quinlin, Clover Health Care Mark Samson, Mechanics Savings Bank Peter Sassano Ted Small, Bernstein Shur Dan Smiley, Turner Publishing John Snyder, On the Spot Rental Management Linda Snyder, On the Spot Rental Management Peter Steele, Twin City Times Bob Thompson, AVCOG Barbara Trafton, Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine Peter Traill, Nason Mechanical Systems Inc Michael Travers, Travers & Associates Marlee Turner, Northern Pines Bed and Breakfast
Ralph A Wallace, Trask-Decrow Machinery Inc James Wellehan, Lamey Wellehan Shoes Jim Wilkins, Auburn Public Library Bud Willey, Canteen Service Co
Accomplishments:
Held three meetings with local legislators Continued legislative liaison program to keep in constant contact with local legislators on critical issues Hosted Gubernatorial Candidate Forum Published 2010 Election Monitoring Report Published What We Stand For 2010
Regional Image Committee Co-Chairs, Janet Barrett of Ware Street Inn Bed & Breakfast and Peter Murphy of Neokraft Signs This committee promotes the abundant cultural, business, and educational opportunities in Androscoggin County that contribute to the region's quality of life and positive image.
Committee Members: Paul Badeau, LAEGC Sue Berube, WGME 13 Tina Bryant, Core Zero Creative, Inc. Alina Burke, Northeast Bank JoAnne Campbell, Mechanics Private Bank Rachel Desgrosseilliers, Museum L-A Hillary Eaton, Austin Associates PA CPAs Joyce Gibson, USM Chuck Gill, Central Maine Medical Center Dick Gleason, WEZR 1240 - GleasonMedia.com Tammie Grieshaber, Mainely Kids Photography Jim Handy, LA Arts Kevin Healey, St Mary's Regional Medical Center Dina Jackson, AVCOG Anne Jarvis, People’s United Bank Lincoln Jeffers, City of Lewiston Jonathan LaBonte, Androscoggin Land Trust Sandy Marquis, Marquis Signs Bryan McNulty, Bates College Scott McKenney, Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch Cliff Mower, Travelhost of MAine Steve Murch, City of Lewiston Tina Pelletier-Clark, Tri County Mental Health Services Laurier Raymond Jr, Isaacson & Raymond
Scott Riccio, Northeast Charter and Tour Company Inc Milt Simon, Heutz Oil Joshua Shea, LA Magazine Michael Spaulding, Austin Associates PA CPAs Laurie St Pierre, Percy’s Burrow Susan Stacey, Central Maine Community College Tracey Steuber, City of Auburn Amanda Theberge, Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch Sheri Verville, Sun Journal Mike Williams, Androscoggin Bank
Accomplishments:
Working to promote Androscoggin County as a tourist destination Supported Moxie Festival in Lisbon Falls A-L Sports Hall of Fame annual induction ceremony brought four new members into the Hall. Sponsored area Arts Calendars and supported coordination of arts activities. Continued Adopt-a-Spot program with 35 gardens Continued work on new, unique community map Utilized the "L/A It's Happening Here" Campaign as a marketing draw to the area Produced monthly "Chip and The Chamber," TV program featuring The Chamber, local businesses and local issues Supported many community organizations and events including: Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Lewiston-Auburn College Advisory Committee, Central Maine Community College Foundation, Maine Lakes and Mountains Tourism Association, Auburn Public Library, The Center for Prevention of Hate, Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club, The Maine Women's Network, The Maine State Chamber, Museum L-A, Franco American Heritage Center, The Public Theatre, Great Falls TV, MACCE, Liberty Festival, Balloon Festival, Festival Franco-Fun, the University of Southern Maine and United Way of Androscoggin County.
Adopt-a-Spotters in 2010 were: A Family for ME & YPLAA /DHHS, Abused Women's Advocacy,Allergy & Asthma Associates of Central Maine, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, Auburn Housing Authority, Auburn Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club, Auburn Savings Bank, FSB, Austin Associates PA, CPA's, Bailey & Sons Roofing LLC, CareerCenter, Central Maine Federal Credit Union, City of Lewiston, Community Credit Union, Emerson Toyota, Franco American War Veterans, Gammon Landscape Nursery Inc, Goodwin
Well & Water Inc, Hannaford, ING Investment Advisors LLC, L L Bean Inc, Labonte's Landscaping, Lewiston High School Music Association, Marine Corp League Mid-Maine Property Services, Pathway's Inc, Pine Cone Chapter OES (Eastern Star), Rainbow Federal Credit Union, Roak The Florist, Schooner Retirement Community Sun Journal, The Baha'i Community, Turner Publishing Valley View Farm, WahlcoMetroflex Inc, Wal-Mart Distribution Center
Education Committee Co-Chairs, Mary LaFontaine of Career Center and Jennifer Willey of Canteen Services This committee supports community involvement to achieve quality education in Androscoggin County.
Committee Members: John Bolduc, Odd Fellows & Rebekahs’ Home of Maine Christine Bosse, Bangor Savings Rob Callahan, Lewiston Adult Education Sandi Croft, University of Southern Maine Tina Currie, Five County Credit Union Doug DiVello, Central Maine Healthcare Corp Diane Doe, SHAREcenter Diane Dostie, Central Maine Community College JoAnne Dowd, Lewiston School Department Debbie Dunham, Budget Blinds Elizabeth Gaudet, Lewiston Education Fund Eva Giles, Lewiston Adult Education William Grant, Lewiston Adult Education David Griffiths, Dave Griffiths Writing Services Katie Grondin, Auburn School Department Jennifer Hogan, Community Credit Union Kelly Jaeger, Bonney Staffing Center Jill Jamison, Junior Acheivement of Maine Tom Jarvis, Lewiston School Department Tina Kelly, Kaplan University Rob Klaiber, Kaplan University Roger Lachapelle, Work Opportunities Unlimited Tina LaPlante, International Paper Betsy Libby, Central Maine Community College Joan Macri, Lewiston School Department Trisha Malloy, Finance Authority of Maine Amie Parker, Bates College Roger Philippon, Central Maine Community College Jan Phillips, University of Southern Maine Robin Robbins, Androscoggin Bank Fran Rudoff, KIDS Consortium
Sherry Russell, Downtown Education Collaborative Roberta Rybicki, Procter & Gamble Rick Sabine Mary Seaman, The Great Outdoors Richard Speer, Lewiston Public Library Kevin Stilphen, Lewiston Regional Technical Center Dean Waterman, KeyBank Denise Williams, DHHS/ASPIRE Bo Yerxa, Southern New Hampshire University
Accomplishments:
Raised over $42,000 for scholarships at the 11th annual Scholarship Scramble at Springbrook Golf Club. 88 Chamber members sponsored the tournament led by major sponsor. Roopers Inc and co-sponsored by Skelton, Taintor & Abbott and Mechanics Private Bank. Sponsored 18th annual Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute, graduating 15 new community leaders. Supported Business-to-School partnerships throughout the community, particularly through Junior Achievement, with participation in 32 classes. LA College also hosted the JA Titan Challenge. Provided 16 ($1000) scholarships to youth graduating from area high schools plus three adult scholarships for employees of Chamber members. Provided $21,000 for scholarships to students at Central Maine Community College. Conducted 11th Annual Career Fair for 1,200 sophomores from area high schools with help from 50 Chamber members. Job Fair connected 40 employers with over 500 job seekers at CMCC. Provided Speakers Bureau to bring business resources to area teachers with new emphasis in financial literacy. Provided strong support for College for ME Androscoggin – helping to organize the annual awards luncheon and boost their programs to Chamber members. Hosted Career Fair for 7th graders from area middle schools at CMCC
Scholarship Scramble Committee members: Dick Albert Bill Grant Tina Kelly Mary LaFontaine
Beth Gaudet Jennifer Hogan Paul Lacombe Ron Lebel
Joan Macri Robin Robbins Dean Waterman Jennifer Willey
Roger Philippon Rick Speer Bud Willey
Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn Area Chair Hillary Verrill of McKesson The Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn Area (YPLAA) works to strengthen a vibrant young professional community by promoting career, social, and community development.
Steering Committee Members: Hillary Verrill, McKesson, Chair Shane Wright, Isaacson & Raymond, Chair Elect 1 Hillary Eaton, Austin Associates, Past Chair Kelly Jaeger, Bonney Staffing Center Kelly David, Tri-County Mental Health Sarah Mayberry, Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine Donna Martin, Employment Times/MyJobWave.com Jen Hogan, Community Credit Union
Accomplishments:
Held their first Social Networking Series Held successful 4th YPLAA Annual Meeting Awarded 7 YPLAA Awards Held Non-Profit Mentor Workshop Collected supplies for Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services Volunteered for the Dempsey Challenge, Advocates for Children Holiday Party, and River Clean Up on National Trails Day Once again assisted the Chamber in collecting toys for the holidays Held 3rd Annual Candid Candidates Continued work on the YPLAA Garden Spot Held 1st Culture Crawl Held networking events such as: Improv Dinner & 2nd Annual Wii Bowling Tournament Launched a new website
Membership Services & Development Committee Chair, Kurk Lalemand, Next Level-Business Coaching, Inc This committee provides ideas for member support programs and assists with recruiting new Chamber members.
Committee Members: Paul Badeau, Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council Joleen Bedard, United Way of Androscoggin County Nancy Brown, Be Remembered...Send Out Cards Bill Ewing, Building Materials Exchange Stephanie Gelinas, Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services Jane Grant, Dragonfly Trips LLC Keith Koehler, Bisson Transportation Matthew Kovacevich, My Portland WPME & The CW Portland, WPXT Cyndie Lamoreau, Alliance Press Tim Madigan, Labor Ready Diane McManus, Camden National Bank Alice Mogensen, Residence Inn by Marriott Steve Smith, Sherwin Williams Greg Whitney, AVCOG Celeste Yakawonis, The Perfect Choice
Accomplishments:
Held successful membership drive in September recruting 89 new members Chamber membership reached an all time high of 1380 members Visited over 1,000 members on Thank You Day to distribute 2010 Resource Guide Presented Know Your Chamber three times to a jam packed conference room Created an Energy Seminar series sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch The 2010 Annual Meeting equaled the largest turnout in history and was completely sold out. Not Your Normal Formal, The Chamber's annual auction, was also sold out, raising over $34,000 for Chamber programs. Chamber members came in black and white and had a great time. Expanded Member to Member (M2M) Discount Program and distributed M2M cards and information to the Human Resource departments of our larger members. Continued monthly Small Business E-News and bi-weekly E-Events and Cool Chamber electronic newsletter to improve communication with members
Ambassador Committee Chair, Stephanie Gelianas of Sandcastle Preschool Chamber Ambassadors welcome and assist other members at Chamber events including the annual meeting, the Business to Business Trade Show, monthly breakfasts, and Business After Hours. The wearing of the “Yellow Ribbon� signifies the following individuals as your Ambassadors.
Ambassadors: Martin Bailey, Prudential Financial Services--Martin Bailey Kathryn Beausang, Riverwalk Creations Kathy Becvar, Central Maine Healthcare Corp Tammy Begin-LeBlanc, Synchronicity Salvatore Bonetti, The Bonetti Group at Morgan Stanley Nancy Brown, Be Remembered...Send Out Cards Eric Bryant, Core Zero Creative Inc Alina Burke, Northeast Bank Nancy Callahan, LMT, NCTMB, Another New Day Therapeutic Massage Tracey Cloutier, Budget Document Technology Walter Cox, Neokraft Signs Tina Currie, Five County Credit Union Susan Donovan, Donovan's Auto Sales Bob Farrington, Bob Farrington Electric Alice Flanders, A Flanders Fuller Brush Trisha Fletcher, TEAM FLETCHER, CB Millett Realty Barbara Fogarty, Total Changes Personal Training David Footer, Wildlife Artist Patti Gagne, Patti Gagne Agency, Allstate Insurance Stephanie Gelinas, Sandcastle Clinical and Educational Services Dick Gleason, WEZR 1240 - GleasonMedia.com Tammie Grieshaber, Mainely Portrait Photography Matthew Gutshall, Northeast Bank Deborah Haire, CyberSolutions Peggy Hart, Best Buy Richard Kendall Shelley Kennagh, KeyBank NA Cyndie Lamoreau, Alliance Press Barbara Lauze, The Basket Case David Lee, HumanNature@Work Diane Marquis Monaghan, St Mary's Health System Diane McManus, Camden National Bank Alice Mogensen, Residence Inn by Marriott Rita Myrick, Maine Cycle / Skier's Edge Kelly Nelson, Central Maine Human Resources Association Laurie Ouellette, Sweet Pea Designs Carole Pelletier, Mini-Me Day Care Jen Pike, Bedard Health Care Pharmacy Julie Rand, Employment Experts Gerard Raymond, St Peter's Cemetery Mark Rodrigue, Maine Awards Rogue Wear
Chris Rugullies, TD Bank Candace Sanborn, Encompass Marketing and Design Chandra Sasseville D.C., Sasseville Chiropractic Betsy Sibley, Northeast Bank Insurance Group Milt Simon, Heutz Oil Company -- Heutz Premium Pellet Donna Steckino, Community Credit Union Laurie Steele, Twin City Times Allen Sterling, Auburn Savings Bank, FSB Lee Ann Szelog Fran Szostek, Frantasia Productions Adventures in Sound Ray Teixeira, Camden National Bank Greg Whitney, AVCOG Tina Willard, Northeast Bank Chris Wilson, Christine Wilson MetLife Inc Celeste Yakawonis, Nezinscot Title Abstracts and Research Ruth York, Point Sebago Resort
Accomplishments
Introduced new members at all Chamber breakfasts Greeted new members and assisted at Chamber breakfasts. Made special contact with each new member Welcomed members at Business After Hours events and Chamber Annual meeting
Not Your Normal Formal Committee Members: Paul Badeau, LAEGC Janet Barrett, Ware Street Inn Bed & Breakfast John Belisle, Mechanics Savings Bank Salvatore Bonetti, Morgan Stanley Nancy Brown, Be Remembered...Send Out Cards Alina Burke, Northeast Bank JoAnne Campbell. Mechanics Private Bank Tina Currie, Five County Credit Union Steve Costello, Sun Journal Hillary Eaton, Austin Associates Stephanie Gelinas, Sandcastle Preschool Tamera Grieshaber, Mainely Kids Photography Keith Kohler, Bisson Transportation Jen Hogan, Community Credit Union Diane McManus, Camden National Bank Robin Robbins, Androscoggin Bank Tracey Steuber, City of Auburn Bud Willey, Canteen Service Co.
2010 Member Support Programs Monthly Business After Hours events in 2010 were
hosted by: Custom Window Decorators St Mary's Regional Medical Center
LA Arts, Gallery 5 and Fuel Museum L-A Floor Systems Inc Blais Flowers & Garden Center Mechanics Bank Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show Kaplan University Balloon Festival Spring Meadows Golf Club Riverside Millwork Center Martindale Country Club Inc Carriage House Banquet Facility Austin Associates at the Franco American Heritage Center Kora Temple “Feztival of Trees” Lost Valley 15th Annual Business-to-Business Trade Show, the largest in the state, was held at the Colisee. Almost 2500 people attended during the day and the Trade show breakfast at Bates College was attended by 400 members and guests. Special programs on a wide array of topics including: Brown Bag on Federal Labor Regulations facilitated by Rebecca Webber of Linnell Choat & Webber. Peter Rubins led Brown Bag discussion on sustainability issues. John Dorrer presentation on the economy and future growth areas. Brown Bag seminar on “Preventing Burglaries” led by Auburn Police Chief Phil Crowell JobsinME.com webinar on “Internet Recruiting 101.” Seminar on “Peak Performance” with Bob Labrie of Maximum Potential Brown Bag on “Working with Your Publisher” led by Skip Lalemand Seminar on “Cold Calling in Turbulent Times” led by Dale Carnegie Training Seminar “Sales Performance & Custoner Service” by Bob Labrie Presentation by Census Regional Director, Kathleen Ludgate Panel on “Health in the Workforce” put together by Healthy Androscoggin. Brown Bag on “Ethics Issues” with Bill Lagasse Seminar on “Public Speaking” with Lee Szelog SCORE seminar on “Financing Star-up Businesses”
Seminar, “Hire for Aptitude, Fire for Attitude” with
Art Boulay Brown Bag seminar on “Investing for Retirement”
with Sal Bonetti. Seminar for non profit organizations on “Fund
Raising,” sponsored by Mechanics Private Bank SCORE seminar, “Doing Business with Gov-
ernemnts” Brown Bag seminar “Preparing for a Trade Show”
with Kurk Lalemand and Skip Lalemand “Passenger Service at the Auburn Lewiston Air-
port” with Rick Cloutier “Photography for Home and Work” with Tammie
Grieshaber, Mainley Portrait Photography and Kristen Phillips, Photos by Design Brown Bag on Medical Marijuana with Sage Peterson Presentation on Life Insurance by Pattie Gagne Presentation on “Agriculture in Androscoggin County” with Betsy Bullard of Brigeen Farms Brown Bag seminar on social media with Diane Dunton of Potential Released Consulting Services Business Writing seminar with Bruce MacMillan Four part Energy Seminar Series sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn Riverwatch. Presenters included Efficency Maine, Todd Gagne of Nason Mechanical Systems Inc, Bryan Dench of Skelton Taintor and Abbott, Philip Doucette of Austin Associates, Jim Costello of Sun Journal, Scott McKEnney of the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, Mike PAradis of the City of Lewiston, Ron Norton of Weatherization Wizards and John Monaghan. Bruce McCain of Key Bank gave presentation on “Investments and the Economy” Seminar, “The People Whisperer” with David Lee Brown Bag on “Writing a Press Release” with Judy Meyers of Sun Journal Brown Bag on “IT Budgeting presented by Jeremy Wallace of Burgess Computer.
Special Thanks to the 2010-2011 Chamber Board of Directors Board Members: Jason Agren, Agren Appliance Glenn Aho, City of Auburn Ed Barrett, City of Lewiston Jan Barrett, Ware Street Inn Bed & Breakfast Joleen Bedard, United Way of Androscoggin County Bob Bernier, Advantage Gases and Tools Sue Berube, WGME 13 Art Boulay, Strategic Talent Management—Past Chair JoAnne Campbell, Mechanics Private Bank Michael Cox, Cental Maine Orthopaedics Doug DiVello, Central Maine Healthcare Corp Adam Dunbar, Wells Fargo Advisors Jodi Eller, Procter & Gamble Patti Gagne, Patti Gagne Agency, Allstate Insurance Stephanie Gelinas, Sandcastle Preschool Joyce Gibson, USM at LAC Lucien Gosselin, LAEGC Clif Greim, Harriman Architects & Engineers Kevin Healey, St. Mary’s Health System Elaine Hemenway, Payroll Management Inc Jennifer Hogan, Community Credit Union Matt Jancovic, Oxford Networks Mary LaFontaine, Career Center Kurk Lalemand, Next Level Business Coaching-Chair Elect Paul Landry, Fish Bones American Grill Michael Malloy, Skelton Taintor & Abbott PA Scott McKenney, Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch Brian McNulty, Bates College Iman Poeraatmadja, Burgess Computer Robin Robbins, Androscoggin Bank -Treasurer Susan Stacey, Central Maine Community College-Chair Peter Steele, Twin City Times Bob Thompson, AVCOG Peter Traill, Nason Mechanical Systems Inc. Hillary Verrill, YPLAA Jennifer Willey, Canteen Services Co.
Directors Completing Service in 2010: Hillary Eaton, Austin Associates Gretchen Jones, Skelton Taintor & Abbott PA Darlene Levesque, White Rock Distilleries Rick Malinoski, Procter & Gamble Peter Murphy, Neokraft Signs Laurie St. Pierre, Percy’s Burrow
Staff: Maureen AubĂŠ Emily Conley Susan Conant Martins Chip Morrison Jennifer Ziebart