THE
BEST MAINE OF
MEET PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE STATE GROW YOUR NETWORK IN THE BANGOR AREA
A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, January 23, 2026
2 THE BEST OF MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 23, 2026
Careers
IN MAINE
MEET PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE STATE WHO MAKE UP MAINE’S DIVERSE WORKFORCE
S
BY EMILY BAER
HAPED BY TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITIES, ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES, AND AN EVOLVING ECONOMY, MAINE OFFERS A SURPRISING RANGE OF CAREER PATHS FOR BOTH NEW JOB SEEKERS AND SEASONED PROFESSIONALS. WHETHER WORK IS ROOTED IN THE LAND, DRIVEN BY INNOVATION, OR INSPIRED BY COMMUNITY, CAREERS IN MAINE REFLECT THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF OUR STATE AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.
EBEN BAKER
JULIAN BISHOP
SENIOR WETLAND SCIENTIST
FREELANCE STORYBOARD ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATOR
BRUNSWICK
BUCKSPORT
WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? I always knew I wanted
to do work that was science oriented, ideally something that would allow me to be outside a lot. I worked as a lab technician and explored nursing and teaching before settling on what I do now. I’m glad that I spent the time exploring.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK: In the beginning of my career, my work
typically involved surveying areas for wetlands, streams, vernal pools, or other plant and wildlife resources. The work was often in remote areas and involved lots of hiking and travelling. These days you can usually find me helping clients navigate local, state, and federal permitting processes for projects ranging from renewable energy developments to dredging projects or conducting natural resource surveys. These include rare and invasive plant surveys, wetland and stream delineations, and vernal pool surveys. I’ve worked on energy and transportation projects, utility and transmission projects, dredging projects, and other development sites throughout Maine and the United States. There is always something to learn or a challenge to solve.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? We’re lucky in that local land trusts throughout Maine often offer free or low-cost classes and nature walks where you can learn about plant identification and ecology. I love that my work gives me the opportunity to gain experience in something new and solve different challenges nearly every day.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK: I create storyboards for commercials, film, and television. I work with directors to translate their script, shot list, or vision into a sequence of drawn frames that form the plan of what they intend to shoot. I also do other kinds of commercial art — like character design or concept art — when the opportunity arises. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? When I graduated
high school I had no idea that there was a job so well suited to the skills I was developing and the things I was interested in. I didn’t know that being a storyboard artist was a job. I had grown up wanting to draw comics so I moved to LA and got an internship as a production coordinator at a small advertising agency. I stayed there a long time and eventually worked my way up to being an art director. We would sometimes hire storyboard artists and eventually I decided to try my hand at it! I’ve always had clients all over the country but I would love to find more local clients. There’s less opportunity for networking in Maine but we came here wanting a slower more peaceful environment and an affordable house to raise a family in. I’m very lucky that I was in a position to be able to work remotely and that we found this beautiful town in this beautiful place.
THE BEST OF MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 23, 2026
JESSIKA HYDE
TAMI BUNT
SENIOR SYSTEM ANALYST
PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER
SANFORD
ORLAND
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK: I build and optimize electronic medical record systems for an out-of-state hospital network. I work from home and provide software support for inpatient services applications and labor and delivery teams. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? My career path wasn’t linear. I was a bedside nurse for about nine years and a home hospice nurse after that, but I needed a better balance between my personal and professional life. A colleague suggested that my experience would be helpful on her information services team. It’s been a great fit. I can still use my nursing skills and I can help caregivers adopt new technology to improve care. We came back to Maine because it is a great place to raise a family and most of my family is still here, but it can be very challenging to grow and gain experience here. When we moved back [to Maine], nursing pay was drastically different and the cost of living was much higher than it had been when we lived out of state. One of the good things to come out of the pandemic was the opportunity for remote work, because otherwise I’m not sure I would have had this career opportunity otherwise. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? The flexibility with my schedule is really great and I love that I’m constantly learning. I know I’ll never get bored because technology is always evolving.
WHAT GOT YOU STARTED IN YOUR FIELD? When my son started
going to daycare I got to know the staff and teachers at the center. I had been working as a property manager for a private estate and a house cleaner, but I liked everyone I met and I applied for an assistant teacher position. I moved up from there.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK: In my classroom we focus on teaching social skills, emotional regulation, and foundational learning skills like shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. A typical day is helping grow little minds by teaching them manners, how to use their words, and to gain independence. We help children build confidence by teaching them things like putting on shoes, using the bathroom, and washing their hands.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? I love seeing the kids learn and be
proud of themselves when they accomplish something they have been working on.
Answers have been edited for clarity and concision.
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BUILDING Your Network IN THE BANGOR AREA BY WANDA CURTIS
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aking connections with other local professionals creates an opportunity to exchange information, share insights and resources, and potentially help grow your business. Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping local business owners meet, connect, and network. The Bangor Chamber serves as a central hub for many networking activities, said Chamber CEO/President Deb Neuman. Events like Business After Hours, Early Bird Breakfasts, and other events and activities throughout the year attract a mix of local business owners, civic leaders, and professionals. The Chamber’s most popular and best attended events, said Neuman, are the monthly Business After Hours gatherings. Those are hosted by area business owners, sponsored by Versant, and typically draw close to 200 attendees, she said. There are presentations featuring a local business, an opportunity to mingle with other professionals, refreshments, and a chance to win prizes. “Attendees enjoy these events to network with a variety of individuals from across the Bangor region,” Neuman said. “The Chamber’s ambassadors are there to welcome everyone and to ensure new attendees feel welcomed and are introduced to others.” One business owner shared with Neuman that networking was always intimidating to her because she was an introvert. The woman decided to make it her goal to meet three new people at a Business After Hours event. She exceeded her goal and now volunteers as an ambassador to ensure that others don’t feel intimidated, Neuman said. Business owners who are new to networking are
advised to break free from their “group” when attending events to make new acquaintances. It’s often easier to hang out with people you already know, but that limits opportunities to expand your network, Neuman said. “Circulate around and invite yourself into other groups,” she said. “Look for individuals who are standing alone or in the back of the room and introduce yourself. If that seems daunting, ask someone you know to introduce you to someone you don’t [know].” When “breaking the ice,” Neuman recommends asking questions about a person’s line of work or asking whether they attend networking events very often. She said that a great way to remember people in a large crowd is to jot down information about them on their business card. “It could be a note about something you talked about, something you want to follow up with them about, or something about them that you will remember,” she said. Another opportunity to network offered by the Chamber is Fusion Bangor, which is held the first Thursday of each month. The focus is on providing opportunities for young professionals in the Bangor region to connect. They often welcome new professionals moving into the area, Neuman said. The Chamber’s leadership program, Bangor Region Leadership Institute, offers participants the opportunity to meet and network with those in their class and with businesses and professionals in the region. Other networking opportunities in the Bangor region, said Neuman, include Tuesday Forum, which is a networking group for professional women. BNI Bangor
is another networking and referral organization. And of course there are many local civic organizations looking for members and volunteers. She said that downtown associations and local town offices might also have suggestions. Volunteering is another great way to meet new people and expand one’s network. The Heart of Maine United Way offers a volunteer matching website at volunteerme.homeunitedway.org. Nonprofits in the Bangor area such as Penquis, Eastern Maine Area Agency on Aging, Christine B. Foundation, Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor Humane Society, Northern Light Health, and local food pantries are often in need of volunteers, Neuman said. The Chamber is available to answer questions, make introductions, and help business owners make connections. Neuman shared that a recent college graduate who hoped to stay in the Bangor area reached out to the Chamber for help sharing his résumé with local employers — which ultimately led to his being hired by a local company. “Networking is all about making connections,” Neuman said.“Whether it be through attending events or asking one person to help introduce you to someone else. The Bangor region offers many opportunities to get out there and network.”
THE BEST OF MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 23, 2026
Employee Appreciation Ideas
STAFF WILL LOVE
TIPS FOR THANKING YOUR EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE YOU THE BEST IN THE BIZ
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COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
usinesses recognized as the best — through awards, nominations, or customer feedback — tend to have one thing in common: great employees. But it’s not always easy for business owners to find the right way to show employees how much they’re appreciated. According to the O.C. Tanner Network, an employee recognition platform, 40 percent of employees say the recognition they receive at work feels like an empty gesture. This is compounded by the burnout that Deloitte says affects 77 percent of respondents. Employers may be missing the mark when it comes to developing techniques to help employees feel valued and satisfied. Improving employee morale can start with various techniques to help staff feel more appreciated. The following are some ways employers can do just that.
❤ PASS ALONG A WORK PERK. Employers can share a particular work benefit they have received with an employee. This may include a first-class upgrade for a flight or tickets to a hot sports game. Hard-to-get reservations at a trendy restaurant also can be passed on to a hard-working employee. ❤ CREATE A WORK TROPHY. Trophies often indicate victory in sports and
other events, so employers can follow suit in the workplace. Create a trophy that is a recognized symbol of staff appreciation and give to those who have accomplished something good.
❤ LET EMPLOYEES CHOOSE THEIR GIFTS. Put together a catalog of appreciation gifts and let employees choose their own rather than thinking you know what is best. ❤ GO PUBLIC WITH APPRECIATION. Let your customers know how much you value your employees by taking out an ad, sharing on social media, or creating signage in the office that shares tales of exceptional employees. Speak about what staff did and how much they are appreciated.
❤ STAY CURRENT WITH SALARY INCREASES. One of the easiest ways
to show employees they’re appreciated is through periodic reviews and pay increases. These increases can go beyond just the cost of living increases many companies provide.
❤ GO OUT FOR LUNCH. Take employees out individually or in small groups for lunch or dinner. Use this opportunity to get to know them better and engage in conversation regarding what they believe will benefit the company. Employees may feel more valued if their ideas are heard. ❤ CELEBRATE VARIOUS MILESTONES. As a company, you can celebrate milestones that are not necessarily work-related, such as when an employee has reached a certain wedding anniversary or if they have welcomed a child. Showing employee appreciation through creative means can help staff feel valued — and keep your business running as one of the best in Maine.
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THE BEST OF MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 23, 2026
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8 THE BEST OF MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 23, 2026