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A SALUTE TO MAINE’S SMALL BUSINESSES and the PEOPLE who help them SUCCEED EVERY DAY.

2026 Maine Small Business Persons of the Year

Maureen, Steve, and Nate Hassett Custom Composite Technologies, Inc.

“Our annual awards are the time to recognize how many amazing businesses have made Maine their home, make iconic Maine products, and impact communities across the state.”

— Diane Sturgeon, District Director for Maine U.S. Small Business Administration

APRIL 24, 2026

MAINE SMALL BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR:

MAUREEN, STEVE, AND NATE HASSETTCUSTOM COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOMINATED BY JENNIFER BOUTIN, SBDC 2026 Award Winner

FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS, Maureen and Steve Hassett have built up a powerhouse of precision manufacturing in coastal Maine in Custom Composite Technologies, helping customers create what they imagine though composites. At the beginning of the business they focused on the custom boatbuilding industry that is an iconic part of the local economy, but quickly started branching out as new opportunities presented themselves.

By 2003, Custom Composite had outgrown its first space, so Maureen and Steve used SBA financing to build a 7500 square-foot facility that was specifically equipped with air handlers to keep employees safe and was also designed for future expansion and innovation. Between the new facility and assistance from the Small Business Development Center, the business was poised for rapid growth and new opportunities. With the help of the SBDC, Maureen and Steve were able to plan for sustainable growth and manage the 2008 financial crisis, which hit the boatbuilding industry especially hard.

Coming out of that crisis, Custom Composite started reinvesting in the business and diversifying their services, all while working to retain staff. These efforts paid off, as by 2016 profits were once again rising, and the business had broken into new markets with

renewable energy, robotics, and architectural applications, while retaining their reputation for high-quality, creative, and customercentric marine applications of composites.

The couple’s son, Nate, returned to the business in 2021 after earning more experience in composite fabrication at composite aerospace companies in the western US. Nate brought with him new ideas, energy, and vision to help guide Custom Composite Technologies to further growth with new clients, processes, and creative insight. The company also strategically focused on employee experience, with improved wages, education opportunities, and benefits.

As advocates for their community, the Hassetts seek out opportunities to share their experience and success with others. Steve sits on the Maine Technology Board for the Composite Technology Sector and Maureen sits on the Maine Composite Alliance board where she has served as co-chair and treasurer. She is also the liaison for the Governor’s SBDC Commission, where she advocates for other small manufacturers and coastal businesses. Previously, she served two years on the Bath Brunswick Chamber board.The company is also active in the Maine Marine Trades Association and the Maine Manufacturers Association.

Additionally, the couple is committed to supporting midcoast non-profits serving youth programs and food security, while Nate is an active member of the Bath Forestry Committee, working to preserve green spaces for the community.

As successful small business owners who have never sacrificed quality and values, even during the height of the financial crisis, and active supporters of their community, the Hassetts have shown themselves to be some of the best representatives of Maine’s small business community, and the SBA is pleased to name them as the 2026 Small Business Persons of the Year for Maine.

MAINE FINANCIAL SERVICES CHAMPION: GHENT HOLDSWORTH, II

NOMINATED BY NMDC

2026 Award Winner

GHENT HOLDSWORTH GREW UP ON A SMALL POTATO

FARM IN NORTHERN MAINE, operating the family farm alongside his father for years. In 2001 he moved from farming to the financial sector, where he worked for Farm Credit of Maine, providing the financial support that Maine’s farmers needed. In this role he worked his way up from the position of loan officer to eventually be a branch manager once Farm Credit of Maine and Farm Credit East merged in 2014. In his current role at Aroostook Savings & Loan, Ghent is focused on providing increased access to capital for local small businesses and entrepreneurs.

To further this goal, Ghent has already made progress toward increasing commercial lending at Aroostook Savings & Loan, with one of the strongest years in the institution’s history. As he seeks ways to further support

Northern Maine’s small business community, Ghent also serves on the loan committee for Northern Maine Development Commission, ensuring the stability and sustainability of the lending programs that Maine’s smallest businesses rely on. With a focus on Aroostook County, he also serves on the credit review committee for the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund, which supports potato industry investment as a quasistate agency, providing stability to one of the state’s largest industries.

By staying connected to his community and continuously supporting Northern Maine’s small businesses throughout his career, Ghent Holdsworth has demonstrated the best qualities of Maine’s lenders. For his efforts, the SBA is pleased to name Ghent Holdsworth, II as the 2026 Financial Services Champion for Maine.

MAINE AND NEW ENGLAND SMALL BUSINESS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

COMPOTECH, INC.

NOMINATED BY ANDREW DORR, MACHIAS SAVINGS BANK

MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES

can often rely on traditional industries to build their customer base and grow, or they can develop new technologies and methods entirely. When Compotech was founded in 2011 by UMaine grads Jacques Nader and Paul Melrose, they chose to pursue advanced composite manufacturing. Early on, they hired Tyler Jolicoeur as their first employee—an investment that paid off, as he is now part owner and leads the expeditionary business unit.

As they built their team and operations, Compotech pursued a U.S. Army contract for contingency-based shelters. Though confident in their product, they needed support to compete as a small manufacturer. Through the SBA’s Certificate of Competency program, they demonstrated their capabilities and secured a $4.2 million contract. They also utilized an SBA line of credit to scale production, pay suppliers, and manage deliveries. This success established Compotech as a trusted

supplier and opened the door to continued opportunities through the SBA Office of Government Contracting.

Compotech has since expanded to over 50,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space, growing from 20 employees in 2021 to 80 today. The company has been named to the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years, most recently ranking #31 among U.S. manufacturers and #3 among Maine-based firms, reflecting a 421% growth rate. It has also been recognized globally as a Top Shop Honoree by CompositesWorld. Much of this momentum is driven by expanding work with the U.S. Department of Defense, including multimillion-dollar contracts for advanced shelter protection systems—demonstrating that Maine can support cutting-edge, advanced manufacturing industries.

Beyond their business success, Compotech’s leadership remains committed to giving back, supporting local nonprofits, education, and industry development initiatives that help strengthen Maine’s workforce and manufacturing ecosystem. Because of their exceptional growth and impact on Maine’s manufacturing industry, the SBA has named Compotech the 2026 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year for both Maine and New England.

MAINE HOME BASED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR REBECCA AND ADAM ROYERCASCO BAY AMBULANCE

2026 Award Winner

AS THE STATE with the oldest population in the country, Maine has a significant need for medical services and businesses that can provide these services. In 2023, Rebecca and Adam Royer decided to bring their past experience together and start Casco Bay Ambulance Service to help address this need. Since then, the business has been providing non-emergency medical transport for patients across Maine.

With Adam’s background as a Lieutenant Firefighter/AEMT with the Portland Fire Department and position on the Portland Firefighter’s Children’s Burn Foundation combined with Rebecca’s business management experience, the couple was well positioned to start their business built around a shared passion for helping people. With help from their SCORE mentor to develop a business plan and navigate the necessary steps to establish a medical transportation company, and an SBA guaranteed loan from Bangor Savings, they were well on their way to start up. Since its founding, Casco Bay Ambulance Service has scaled up significantly. While it still

operates out of the owners’ home, the business handles around 80 transports a week and employs 54 drivers with availability 24/7 to accommodate patients. These trips range from transportation to doctors’ appointments, non-emergency transportation to hospitals, and hospice transportation. By avoiding exclusivae contracts with specific hospitals, Casco Bay Ambulance Service has maintained the ability to serve patients across the state equally, including in rural areas that face a lack of access than more developed areas have.

With the vast growth of the business, Adam and Rebecca have started planning for the future of Casco Bay Ambulance Service. They have expanded their primary base to accommodate their growing vehicle fleet and have purchased land along I-95 to develop a future base with easy access to Maine’s primary highway and hospitals. This planning positions them well for growth as the need across the state continues to rise. Since they started, Rebecca obtained her license as an EMTB and was appointed a seat on the Maine Emergency Medical Services Board representing for-profit ambulance services.

By meeting the vital need of their community for medical services and forming a business around their commitment to patient care, the Royer’s have found incredible success with Casco Bay Ambulance Service. Because of this success and in recognition of the service they provide Mainers, the SBA is pleased to name Casco Bay Ambulance Service the 2026 Home Based Business of the Year for Maine.

NOMINATED BY RENEE FAHIE, BANGOR SAVINGS BANK

2026 Award Winner

MAINE MICROENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR JON HOLABIRD RICK’S REDEMPTION, LLC

NOMINATED BY DAVID SPOONER, NMDC

IN MAINE, one of the important but often overlooked businesses in town is the redemption center. It’s where students and sports teams raise money for their programs, and where huge amounts of cans and bottles are taken out of the waste stream. They can also be great opportunities for entrepreneurs who can innovate and broaden the business beyond just bottle redemption. With his vision for the local redemption center, Jon Holabird met with the Small Business Development Center in 2021 to draft a business plan and start the process of buying the business.

Within the first two years of his ownership, Jon was able to expand the business and diversify its revenue with the purchase of an adjoining lot for short term rentals, facilitated with a Microloan from NMDC. The effort to

diversify and broaden revenue has paid off, with significant growth in sales in every year of Jon’s ownership. This has also allowed him to expand employment at Rick’s Redemption from the original two employees to the current four. Increasing the impact of these jobs on his community, Jon works with local shelters and recovery centers to provide employment to people who just need an opportunity and an understanding employer.

Jon’s efforts are shaped by his own experiences, as like many Americans, he has made mistakes in the past that prompted him to turn his life around. Knowing how difficult life can be for people with substance abuse problems, and how sometimes it just takes support and understanding, Jon works to address these issues in his community. He has served as the chair of Recovery Aroostook, which works across Northern Maine to provide resources to people struggling with addiction and recovery, sits on the board of Pines Health Center, and organizes a fundraising 5k in memory of local victims of addiction. These efforts emphasize that redemption is about more than just recycling cans and bottles.

In recognition of his business success as a microenterprise in Northern Maine, and centering his business on service to the community, the SBA is thrilled to name Rick’s Redemption, owned by Jon Holabird, as the 2026 MicroEnterprise of the Year for Maine.

2026 Award Winner

MAINE AND NEW ENGLAND VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: SPUD SPEEDWAY, INC.

NOMINATED BY JOSH NADEAU, NMDC

ONE OF THE MORE STRIKING THINGS ABOUT AROOSTOOK COUNTY is how much potatoes mean to the local economy and culture. Because of this, it shouldn’t be surprising that the local race track and event venue would be named Spud Speedway. Founded in 1964 as a local race track, Spud Speedway hosted small races and helped give rise to big names in New England racing. In 2009, Air Force veteran Troy Haney purchased the business and started the process of revamping the track and venue, preparing it for major expansion and diversification beyond the track.

After years of working on building up the profile of Spud Speedway and working toward diversified revenue for the business, Troy brought in new co-owners in 2023 with James and Michelle Gamage. From this point on Spud Speedway began to host a number of new events and became a focal point for community entertainment. This growth has required more major reinvestment such as an expansion of the fairgrounds, the addition of a new grass drag track, dedicated mud bog and truck pulling tracks, additional seating, and fencing

around the property. To help cover these costs, Spud Speedway reached out to Northern Maine Development Commission for an SBA Microloan.

With the upgrades in place and the increased profile of the venue, Spud Speedway has seen significant growth in revenue and employment, as well as an increased impact on the local economy. The events hosted at the track and fairgrounds bring a large number of tourists to Caribou, where they book hotel rooms, visit restaurants, and see a part of the state that they otherwise would have missed.

Throughout the changes, expansions, and new partnerships, Troy has maintained a strong sense of responsibility for the community, serving as chair of both the Caribou Development Committee and the Business Investment Group, and a board member at the Loring Redevelopment Authority, working to redevelop the former Air Force base that drove economic activity for years prior to its closure.

By bringing quality events to Northern Maine and continuously working to upgrade and reinvest in the business, Spud Speedway’s leadership team has demonstrated their commitment to their community. Troy’s advocacy for other businesses and his work to redevelop the former base are especially worthy of recognition, and for these reasons the SBA is pleased to name Spud Speedway the 2026 Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year for Maine and New England.

MAINE WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: HEATHER FOGG  FUNDAMENTAL FOOT CARE, PLLC

NOMINATED BY ALISON LANE, SBDC

2026 Award Winner

AS MAINE’S POPULATION

CONTINUES TO AGE, access to specialized healthcare services that preserve mobility, independence, and quality of life has never been more essential. Recognizing this growing need, Heather Fogg founded Fundamental Foot Care, PLLC in 2019 with a clear mission: to bring medically based foot care directly to the people who need it most.

What began as a mobile practice offering pop-up clinics throughout local communities quickly grew into a transformative healthcare business serving patients and improving—and in many cases saving—lives. Through these early clinics, Heather saw firsthand the profound impact proper foot care has on mobility, fall prevention, chronic disease management, and overall well-being—particularly for older adults and vulnerable populations.

Driven by both clinical outcomes and growing community demand, Heather strategically expanded the business with the support of the Maine Small Business Development Center. Through this partnership, she strengthened Fundamental Foot Care’s marketing strategy, business infrastructure, growth planning, staffing model, and long-term vision. With guidance from her SBDC advisor, Alison Lane, Heather successfully secured a microloan from Coastal Enterprises, Inc. in 2022, a pivotal milestone that helped fuel the company’s next phase of growth. In 2023, she opened a brick-and-mortar clinic in Hampden, Maine, significantly expanding access to care and creating multiple healthcare leadership positions, including a team of nurses, an office manager, and a director of operations.

Today, clients from Central, Coastal, and parts of Northern Maine travel to Fundamental Foot Care’s Hampden clinic for specialized care. In addition to its clinic-based services, the company’s mobile team provides foot care for patients in elder care facilities and private homes, while also serving patients at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. Under Heather’s leadership, the business has become a model for accessible, compassionate, and clinically focused foot care.

Heather’s commitment to service extends well beyond business growth. She has prioritized healthcare access for underserved populations by organizing no-cost clinics for unhoused individuals at The Brick Church in Bangor, Maine, and by leading an annual community sock drive benefiting those served by the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter. In addition, Fundamental Foot Care has hosted 17 low-cost clinics from Bangor and Dover-Foxcroft, to Windham, Maine, creating opportunities for

affordable patient care while also serving as hands-on clinical training experiences and entrepreneurial coaching for nurses from Maine and across the country.

Heather’s leadership and commitment to service are reflected not only in her business, but throughout the broader healthcare and business communities. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Nurses Association–Maine and is an active member of the American Foot Care Nurses Association, BNI Business Networking, Tuesday Forum, the Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce, and East Orrington Congregational Church.

Through innovation, leadership, job creation, and an unwavering dedication to community health, Heather Fogg has built more than a business—she has built a mission-driven organization that is improving lives across Maine and beyond.

In recognition of her outstanding entrepreneurship, commitment to community service, and meaningful contribution to healthcare access, the U.S. Small Business Administration proudly recognizes Heather Fogg and Fundamental Foot Care, PLLC as the 2026 Maine Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.