2023 Maine Family Business Awards Program Book

23 rd Annual Maine Family Business Awards

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

L.L.BEAN, 15 CASCO STREET, FREEPORT

Thank you to Our Founding & Elite Sponsors

FOUNDING SPONSORS

We are grateful and continually blessed by these stellar businesses who contribute their time, energy, professional expertise and resources to the enhancement of family enterprises year-after-year. The Institute’s Founding Sponsors have made a long-term commitment to support the work of the Institute. They have helped to shape the Institute for over 29 years and we are fortunate for their ongoing support and guidance as we forge ahead!

ELITE PARTNERS

Elite Partners commit to the Institute through a sponsorship of an affinity group or program series. Exclusivity is guaranteed at the top level. Elite Partners are instrumental in the overall success of programming due to their commitment of resources and professional expertise. Elite Partners make an annual commitment to the Institute. We are grateful for the support of our Elite Partners!

Fun & Function including our Wine & 9 Series and Golf Scramble

Sponsored by:

Next Generation Affinity Groups and Family Business Spotlights: Business After Hours Series

Sponsored by:

Family Fun Festival and Golf Scramble Hole Sponsor

Sponsored by:

Board of Directors

Dottie Chalmers Cutter, Chair

Chalmers Insurance Group

Lindsay Skilling, Past Chair

Gifford’s Ice Cream

Joe Capozza III, Vice Chair

Capozza Floor Covering Center

Jacques Santucci, Treasurer

Opus Consulting

Deirdre Wadsworth, Secretary

Hardypond Construction

David R. Ciullo, HR Liaison

Career Management Associates (CMA)

Catherine Wygant Fossett, Exec. Director Institute for Family-Owned Business

Reuben Bell

Blue Elephant Events and Catering

Joshua Ellis

Clark Insurance A Marsh & McLennan Agency Co.

Founding Sponsor

Shae-Li Fendler

MEMIC

Founding Sponsor

Laura Linscott

Richard Brothers Financial Advisors

Founding Sponsor

Christopher Lynch

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

Paula Mahony

Words@Work, Inc.

Jeffrey Messer

Messer Truck Equipment

Shauna Miller

TD Bank

Founding Sponsor

Katie Rooks

M&T Bank

Christopher R. Smith

Verrill

Founding Sponsor

Lydia Swann

Steamboat Road Consulting

Linda Varrell

Broadreach Public Relations

Seth Webber

BerryDunn

Founding Sponsor

Advisory Board

John Beauregard

Beauregard Equipment

Theresa Cloutier

DMM, Inc.

Janet Cole Cross

Cole Cross Connections, LLC

Maddy Corson

AMG Associates

Maureen Costello Wedge

Quad Group

Thomas Hussey

Hussey Seating Company

John Isaacson

Lee Auto Malls

John LeMieux

Anton/LeMieux Financial Group

Colleen L. McCracken

CLMC Business Advisors

Francis J. O’Shea

Hunts Point Advisors

WELCOME TO THE 23 RD ANNUAL MAINE FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS!

We are so pleased to have you join us tonight as we honor an impressive and diverse group of large and small companies from all across Maine. This year, we received more than 500 nominations—smashing our previous record! —from which 35 semi-finalists and 26 finalists were selected. As always, we are grateful to our talented team of judges who did the difficult work of narrowing this amazing field to the seven winners we celebrate tonight.

We also honor our fourth BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Janet Cole Cross of Cole of Cross Connections, LLC. Janet, a 3rd generation member of the family behind Coles Express Trucking Company before starting her own business, has been a leader for women in family business for decades. A founding board member of the IFOB, Janet has served our organization in many capacities, including starting the Women in Family Business and Next Generation peer groups. Read more about Janet on page 12.

Our theme for the year, “Breaking Free in 2023,” has included a mix of familiar events and new offerings. We’ve had over 50 programs including in-person, hybrid and Zoom events, educational programs, webinars and our Affinity Groups. We are delighted to celebrate tonight at a brand new venue for these awards, L.L.Bean’s beautiful new corporate headquarters. We debuted a video podcast, “Chit Chat with Cat,” and are launching a new Working Parents Peer Group for both family businesses and associate partner members. We will also be relaunching our Family Business Spotlight / Business After Hours with a new drawing to be announced soon.

Following an extensive research project with Digital Research, Inc. that was completed last year with significant input from our members, we developed our brand-new website and our comprehensive Member Portal, which allows members to upload their social media profiles, podcasts, events, articles and more. For our Affinity and Peer Groups, the portal provides a private forum to share documents and connect outside of scheduled meetings.

P.O. Box 3364

Portland, ME 04104-3364

We continue to grow and be inspired by all our family businesses and the associate partners who support them. We couldn’t do this without the continued love and support of all in our IFOB family! As always, we offer special thanks to our Founding Sponsors, Elite Partners, Program sponsors, Maine Family Business Award sponsors and members who make our work possible. And, we are grateful to all of you joining us to celebrate the accomplishments of these exceptional companies. Thank you!

fambusiness.org

207.798.2667

HERE’S WHAT’S AHEAD THIS EVENING!

Dottie Chalmers Cutter, IFOB Chair VP of Operations, Chalmers Insurance Group

OUR HOST

Joseph

A. Capozza III, IFOB Vice Chair President, Capozza Floor Covering Center

Catherine Wygant Fossett, Executive Director Institute for Family-Owned Business

Host

Amanda Hill, Weeknight Anchor

NEWS CENTER Maine

Online Emcee

Paula Mahony, IFOB Board Member Founder, Words@Work

Guest Speakers

Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill, & Ryan Eldridge

Creators of the Kennebec Cabin Company, LLC, The Maine Cabin Masters

AMANDA HILL

Weeknight Anchor, NEWS CENTER Maine

Amanda Hill is a reporter and anchor for NEWS CENTER Maine. The awardwinning journalist grew up in Maine, and works hard to share the stories of Maine people. She studied Broadcast Television from both ends of the camera at Northern Vermont University, where she developed a background as a photographer, reporter, and anchor.

Unable to sit still for too long, Amanda also works in real estate, helping friends and family sell and buy their dream homes. She enjoys coffee, craft beer, dogs, and Vacationland.

Program Sponsors

Join us for one or all of our upcoming programs for fall/ winter 2023 and the start of 2024! Free for members and a nominal fee for future members i.e., non-members. Learn from our experts, including our family-owned businesses, network and experience the magic of the IFOB!

PRICE ASSOCIATES

GUEST SPEAKER

OUR GUEST SPEAKERS FOR TONIGHT ARE: Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill, & Ryan Eldridge

The Maine Cabin Masters

Kennebec Cabin Company was created in February of 2020 by Chase Morrill, sister Ashley Morrill, and her husband Ryan Eldridge – The Maine Cabin Masters, whose popular reality show is filming its 9th season, airing on the Magnolia Network. The company emerged from Kennebec Property Services, founded by Chase and Ashley’s father, Eric.

The family has spent the last three years creating a destination for fans and locals alike to enjoy and learn about Maine. Over these years, Kennebec Cabin Company has grown into a flourishing retail store. Features Maine and New England Artisans and craftspeople, as well as an e-commerce store that caters to fans and customers from across the US and the world.

The Woodshed, the trio’s bar, eatery, and event venue has become one of Central Maine’s most enjoyable hangouts and live music destinations. Featuring Maine craft brews on draft, locally sourced food offerings, an outdoor bar, and two stages for live music and events from June – October.

The crew recently purchased an old lumber mill in Monmouth, Maine, expanding their opportunities in the Central Maine area. This location will serve as the headquarters for the construction side of the business, as well as the shipping and receiving location for their retail business.

Kennebec Cabin Company gives back to the local community whenever they can, hosting fundraisers for local non-profits such as Pine Tree Camp, the Dempsey Center, and more.

Chase’s four children are also involved in the business, including Maggie, his oldest daughter, who produces their “From the Woodshed” podcast and works weekends in the retail store alongside her mother and grandmother. Son Fletcher can often be found on the job site or at a special event, and any number of nieces/nephews help from time to time. The Morrills come from a long line of creative craftspeople, some of whom create products for the store.

Ryan Eldridge (the voice of reason, Chase’s brother-in-law, Ashley’s husband), Chase Morrill (the boss, Ashley’s brother, Ryan’s brotherin-law), Ashley Morrill (Designer, Chase’s sister, Ryan’s wife).

Winner of the 2022 Holiday Inn By The Bay 1st Generation Maine Family Business Award

2023 JUDGES PANEL

We extend our thanks to our talented panel of judges who have taken on the tough job of selecting the 2023 Maine Family Business Award winners from an impressive list of finalists. Our judges, led by our facilitator, search carefully through each entry to find the special gems that help the winners rise to the top.

JUDGING FACILITATOR

Anne Hussey – Partner – Quad Group

Anne Hussey is a 6th generation owner of Hussey Seating Company and a current Hussey Board member. She is also a partner of Quad Group, a consulting practice focused on working with family businesses. Anne has served on the IFOB Board, chaired the Family Business of the Year committee in addition to facilitating the judging process. Currently she works with two of the Next Gen peer groups for the IFOB. Anne received her BA from Colby College and her MBA from UNH.

RETURNING JUDGES

Shae-Li Fendler – Manager / Underwriting Analyst, MEMIC – IFOB Board member, MFBA presenting sponsor

Shae-Li began her career in insurance when she joined MEMIC in 2013 after graduating from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She earned her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Workers’ Compensation Professional designations and is currently pursuing her MBA from Husson University. Shae-Li was a Maine Insurance Agents Association (MIAA) Young Agents Committee Member for four years. She volunteers for the Special Olympics, United Way, Make-A-Wish, and Partners for World Health.

RETURNING JUDGES CONT.

Chris Lynch – President, Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, IFOB Board Member

Chris is the Owner/Founder of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Maine’s Leading Luxury Property company with 6 offices and more than 100 agents. He founded the company in 2006 with six agents and has grown it to the #3 real estate company in Maine. His eldest son, Andy, represents the second generation holding a senior management position as the Chief Financial Officer. A graduate of Bates College, Chris spent the first 17 years of his career working on Wall Street as a Managing Director, Principal and Department Head of the Investment Grade Bond Department at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette.

Amy Volk – Director of Communications and Public Relations, Volk Packaging Corporation, President, Volk Paxit– 2021 Shep Lee Community Service Award Winner, 2015 The Wolak Group Customer Service Award Winner and 2000 Small Business Award Winner

Amy is the mother of four adult children, a new grandmother, and a former 4-term Maine lawmaker, who became Senate Chair of the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee. While in office, Amy successfully championed a diverse range of legislation. She is Director of Communications and Public Relations for Volk Packaging Corporation and President of Volk Paxit, a new contract packaging and e-commerce fulfillment center in Sanford. Amy and husband Derek live in Saco and travel frequently to Central America.

Charlie Zachau – Superintendent, Zachau Construction – 2021 Renys Large Business Award Winner

Charlie is from Freeport Maine, and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2019. He works with his father at Zachau Construction where he started working summers in 2012, and is currently working as a Superintendent with a team managing the renovation of the L.L.Bean Flagship Store in Freeport. He is a third-generation family member involved in the business.

NEW JUDGES

Georges Budagu Makoko – Founder, Ladder to the Moon Network, Co-Founder, Amjambo Africa

Georges was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Rwanda in 1994 due to political unrest in his country. He graduated from the National University of Rwanda with a degree in Business Administration and moved to the U.S. 2002, where he sought and received asylum. He is the author of Ladder to the Moon: Journey from the Congo to America. He worked as a Senior Property Manager with Avesta Housing for 15 years. In 2012, he was awarded Site Manager of the Year, a joint award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service and Maine Rural Development. He is currently the Director of Residential Services at Serenity Residential Care, LLC. He serves as a motivational speaker and professional interpreter and speaks more than six languages, including English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, and Kinyamulenge.

Jennifer Johnson – Sales Manager, Franklin Printing – 2022 M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award Winner

Jen is a 3rd generation member of Franklin Printing located in Farmington where she manages the sales team and marketing. For over 50 years the company has been an innovator in the print industry. They employ more than 50 people and process over 5000 orders each year. Jen graduated from Endicott College with a degree in marketing. She and her husband Drew and son Henry live in Cumberland.

Nikki Strout – Founder/ Owner, Rugged Sea – 2022 Geiger Environmental Leadership Award

Nikki is the Owner and Co-founder of Rugged Seas and a Nurse Practitioner by trade. After many years working in orthopedic medicine, she left her position to start Rugged Seas with her husband to help tell the fisherman’s story. As a fishing family, our coastal communities come first and Nikki’s focus now is to educate and highlight the importance the fishing industry is to preserve what generational families have built.

2023 Gala Sponsors

PRESENTING:

DÉCOR: LIVE STREAMING:

COCKTAIL: ENTERTAINMENT: MAGIC MIRROR:

VIDEO: SOCIAL MEDIA: AUDIO:

TABLE SPONSORS

SEMI-FINALISTS

Dube’s Flower Shop, Inc.

Dance Studio of Maine

BERRYDUNN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Janet Cole Cross

Janet grew up 4th of 5 children in a 3rd generation family business in Bangor Maine. Cole’s Express was a trucking company started by their grandfather, Allie Cole, in 1917 with a horse and wagon in Enfield, Maine. Allie died suddenly, at age 62 and Janet’s father, Galen, age 29, was chosen by his siblings to lead and later expand the company throughout New England. Janet was born that same year and never met her grandfather, who was a central figure throughout her life, through the family business legacy.

Her experiences at a young age formed lasting impressions. Her first work experience was stuffing envelopes (age 12) at which point she decided that the family business was not for her.

Throughout high school and college she followed her own career dream of working in the retail industry and upon graduation from the University of Maine at Orono, joined Jordan Marsh Co., Boston and eventually became a buyer.

Many years later, an opportunity that fit her skills and interests, within the family business came knocking and she embraced it. Soon after, by chance, she was introduced to a dynamic program for Women in Family Business at the Wharton Business School. Attending that program was life changing. She discovered a solid body of knowledge to explain and prevent many of the particularly emotional and frustrating issues that exist for families in business together. Meeting with and learning from others who were going through similar experiences was invaluable.

She then joined family business programs at Northeastern University and the University of New Hampshire to continue to learn and grow. She had a dream of starting a similar program in Maine. Others with that same dream connected to make it happen in 1994. Janet became a founding Board member of the IFOB and remained on the Board for 19 years. She joyfully served as an officer and on most committees over the years and helped to start the Women in Family Business groups and the Next Generation groups, which she facilitated for seven years.

With the goal to share knowledge and successful traits with other Maine companies, she started a family business consulting firm, Kindred Services, Inc. in 1992. More recently, she created Cole Cross Connections, LLC (2011) to focus on young people exploring career options.

She enjoys empowering young professionals and helping them find their own career niche and happiness (inside or outside a family business) and to advocate for themselves.

She has served on many non-profit boards and committees in Maine over the years. Volunteer work with and for children, young adults, and veterans continues to be a lifelong passion.

Janet’s deepest devotion is spending time with those she loves and treasures. Her husband, Bill, and their son, Bryan, friends and extended family are often found together enjoying gatherings at home or her childhood camp, travelling, attending live music concerts and performances, sporting events (especially Red Sox and Patriots games!), golfing, skiing, and boating in their beloved State of Maine and beyond.

Congratulations, Janet Cole Cross, winner of the 2023 BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Renys Large Business Award, won by Luke’s Lobster in 2022, honors an outstanding company with 25 or more full-time employees that demonstrate excellence in all facets of business, including family involvement, succession planning, communication, value of being family-owned, and community service.

The Maddy Corson Small Business Award recognizes an exceptional company that embodies the ideals associated with its namesake, who continues to inspire, support and connect individuals, organizations and businesses throughout Portland and beyond. Loyal Biscuit Co. received the Maddy Corson Small Business Award in 2022.

The Shep Lee Community Service Award honors one of the founders of the Institute for FamilyOwned Business and the ideals he embodied in his respect and concern for customers, employees, and the community. S.W. Collins Company received the Shep Lee Community Service Award in 2022.

Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award, honors a company of any size that continues to improve customer service and exceed customer expectations. The judges also consider the following criteria: innovative practices and systems; personal interactions and choices in how customers receive service and deliver; accessibility to customers and effectiveness in handling customer complaints; systems that reduce costs; and compassion and caring. Box of Maine received the Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award in 2022.

M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award recognizes a company that demonstrates excellence in the development or creation of a new idea, method, or product to solve a problem; original, compelling ideas, innovation or technology; significant benefits to others; fulfillment of a market need or creation of a new market through a service or product; or use of applied science or innovative methods in product development or enhancement. In 2022, Franklin Printing received this award.

Horch Roofing First Generation Award recognizes a company of any size, with at least one family member serving as an active equity owner and at least one family member active in the business on a regular basis. The business must not have transitioned yet from one generation to the next. The honoree will be chosen based on overall excellence among all the categories above. Kennebec Cabin Company, LLC. received this award in 2022.

Geiger Environmental Leadership Award honors a company that demonstrates exceptional efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, demonstrates environmental stewardship, engages others in conservation efforts, and champions sustainability. Rugged Seas received this award in 2022.

You’ll find past award winners through the years on pages 14-16.

PAST WINNERS

2022

Luke’s Lobster (Renys Large Business Award)

Loyal Biscuit Co. (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

S.W. Collins Company (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

Box of Maine (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Kennebec Cabin Company, LLC. (Holiday Inn by the Bay First Generation Award)

Franklin Printing (M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

Rugged Seas (Geiger Environmental Leadership Award)

BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award

Frank O’Shea

2021

Zachau Construction (Renys Large Business Award)

Smiling Hill Farm (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

Volk Packaging Corporation (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

Dolphin Marina & Restaurant (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Origin (Holiday Inn By The Bay First Generation Award)

Springworks Farm (People’s Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

Horch Roofing (Cumberland Crossing by Oceanview Environmental Leadership Award)

BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award

Harry Fraser

National Service Award

Puritan Medical Products (First recipient)

2019

Day’s Jewelers (Renys Large Business Award)

SKORDO (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

W.S. Emerson Company (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

The Nonantum Resort (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Fontaine Family - The Real Estate Leader (Holiday Inn By The Bay First Generation Award)

FHC, Inc. (People’s United Bank Innvation & Technology Award) Geiger (Cumberland Crossing by OceanView Environmental Leadership Award)

Lifetime Achievement Award Maddy Corson (First recipient)

2018

Woodlands Senior Living (Renys Large Business Award)

Hardypond Construction (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

Rinck (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

Blueberry Fields Bed & Breakfast (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Washburn Doughty (Holiday Inn by the Bay First Generation Award)

Howe & Howe Technologies (People’s united Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

DM & J Waste (Varney Agency Environmental Leadership Award)

2017

Capozza Tile and Floor Covering Center (Renys Large Business Award)

Highland Avenue Greenhouse (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

Geaghan’s Pub and Craft Brewery (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

Hanson Enterprises LLC (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Custom Composite Technologies Inc. (Holiday Inn by the Bay First Generation Award)

Puritan Medical Products (People’s United Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

OceanView at Falmouth (HUB/ Norton Insurance and Financial Services Environmental Leadership Award)

2016 Planet Dog (Renys Large Business Award)

Rising Tide (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

King Eider’s Pub (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

PAST WINNERS

Blue Elephant Events & Catering (Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award)

Fish Bones American Grill (Norton Insurance & Financial Services First Generation Award)

Bowman Constructors (People’s United Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

Maine Beer Company (IRC Environmental Leadership Award)

2015

Renys (Large Business Award)

Kingsley Pines (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

Suger (Shep Lee Community Service Award)

Volk Packaging Corporation (The Wolak Group Customer Service Award)

Lucy’s Granola (First Generation Award)

DeLorme (People’s United Bank Innovation & Technology Award)

TideSmart Global (Green Environment Award) Honorable Mention

Cross Insurance (Large Business Award)

2014 Chebeague Island Inn (First Generation Award)

Messer Truck Equipment (Maddy Corson Small Business Award)

Lamey Wellenhan (Agren Large Business Award)

Chalmers Insurance Group

(The Wolak Group Customer Service Award)

Will’s Shop ‘n Save (Shep Lee Community Service Award) The Meadowmere Resort (Innovation Award)

Eco-kids (Technology Award)

2013 Central Street Farmhouse (First Generation Award)

D. Cole Jewelers (Small Business Award)

Agren Appliance & Television (Large Business Award)

Hannan’s Electric (Customer Service Award)

The Wolak Group (Community Service Award)

Close Buy Catalog (Innovation Award)

2012

Hurley Travel Experts (First Generation Award)

Morong Falmouth (Large Business Award)

S.L. Wadsworth & Son (Small Business Award)

IRC Industrial Roofing Companies (Customer Service Award)

Dean’s Sweets (Community Service Award)

Honorable Mention

D. Cole Jewelers

2011

AlliedCook Construction (Large Business Award)

LT’s inc. (Small Business Award)

Halcyon Yarn (Community Service Award)

Honorable Mention Day’s Jewelers

2010

Marden’s Surplus & Salvage (Large Business Award)

Sweetser’s Apple Barrel & Orchards (Small Business Award)

GHM Agency (Community Service Award)

Honorable Mention Mancini Electric (Large Business Award)

2009

Earle W. Noyes & Sons (Large Business Award)

The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (Small Business Award)

Lionel Plante Associates (Community Service Award)

2008

Gifford’s Ice Cream (Large Business Award)

Saddleback Mountain (Small Business Award)

Outstanding Community Service Awards

Maine Machine Products (Large Business)

Couleur Collection (Small Business)

Down East Enterprise (Large Business Award)

Seaside Vacation Rentals (Small Business Award)

2007

Geiger Bros. (Large Business Award)

Morrison’s Maine Course (Small Business Award)

Outstanding Community Service Awards

Maine Machine Products (Large Business)

Saddleback Mountain (Small Business)

2006

DownEast Energy (Large Business Award)

Bedard Healthcare Group (Small Business Award)

Honorable Mention

GHM Insurance

Outstanding Community Service Awards

Oakhurst Dairy

(LargeBusiness)

Apollo Salon Spa & Bistro (Small Business)

2005

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers (Large Business Award)

Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes (Small Business Award)

2004 White Rock Distilleries (Large Business Award)

Paricon, Inc. (Small Business Award)

Honorable Mention Direct Mail of Maine

2003 Hussey Seating Company (Large Business Award)

Monhegan Boat Line (Small Business Award)

Honorable Mention

Shelter Institute

2002

Barber Foods

(Large Business Award)

Coffee By Design (Small Business Award)

Honorable Mention

Winter People

2001

Hancock Lumber (Large Business Award)

Precision Screw Machine Products (Small Business Award)

2000 Sun Journal (Large Business Award)

Volk Packaging Corporation (Small Business Award)

Built

our maine neighbors

BOW STREET MARKET—FREEPORT 2 ND GENERATION

Bow Street Market has been a Freeport fixture since 1946. Karen and John Nappi purchased the business in 1974 working daily from open to close. Then Adam and Sheila Nappi joined as a second generation, taking over in 2001. They invested heavily making major enhancements, including rebuilding the market in 2010 and adding 40-50 new jobs. They also expanded and rebrandedBow Street Distributing to Bow Street Beverage, opening a retail store in Portland. Additionally, the Nappi’s expanded their wholesale business adding a combined 50 more jobs in Portland. A second Bow Street Beverage retail location in Wells, recently opened on August 18, 2023.

Today, two of Adam and Sheila’s children, John Nappi and Maria Nappi, have joined their parents as the third generation actively involved in the family business. Maria, the current Store Manager in Freeport, has already made significant strides toward innovating new systems and raising service levels. John, a sales rep for Bow Street Beverage, is poised to take over management of the beverage side of the business. Their parents remain actively involved as owner/operators, and grandparents, Karen and John, still help in the store when they are in Maine during the summer months.

Bow Street Market supports the community by creating a space for neighbors to gather, hosting open forums for local leaders, and by

BRODIS BLUEBERRIES—HOPE 9 TH GENERATION

Brodis Blueberries is nine generations strong, with the first family member settling on part of the land in the 1750s. Given that their harvest and much of the company’s sales are focused on a threeweek window each year, keeping the family involved and engaged has been crucial to Brodis’ continued success. In 2022, 15 family members representing four generations participated in the harvest and sales.

The business is still owned and managed by 86-year-old Gwen Brodis, who keeps all the financial records in her paper ledger and engages the younger generations for support. Son-in-law Ron Howard manages the farm and harvest, daughter Sonja manages sales and most value-added products, and granddaughter Heidi manages all marketing, inspecting and packing operations. Grandson Jeremy created a separate enterprise, Barrens Distillery, which makes some of their spirits from Brodis wild blueberries.

One of the first wild blueberry growers to offer direct sales to consumers back in the 1970s, Brodis continues to lead the industry. This year, they purchased the first Optical Sorter to be used by a small wild blueberry grower. They have engaged the University of Maine’s Advanced Engineering Department to work with them on implementation and create a resource paper that can be shared with other Maine wild blueberry growers. They have also worked with the University of Maine and the Department of Agriculture to

supporting local farmers, makers, and producers. They offer over 1,000 Maine-made items from more than 200 brands. Bow Street is often the first market where local companies sell their product before getting shelf space in the larger supermarket chains.

develop one of the first food safety plans specifically for wild blueberry growers. Given their family stewardship over the land since the 1750’s and using best practices, Brodis Blueberries earned the Knox and Lincoln Counties Conservation Farm of the Year for 2023.

While Brodis Blueberries has its 9th generation now doing work on its wild blueberry farm in Hope, these are some of the 5th and 6th generations working the same land years ago.

3 Generations Strong (left to right) Adam, Sheila, Maria, John, Karen and John Nappi.

CENTERPOINT MARTIAL ARTS—FALMOUTH 1

Andrew and Hester Mishkin started Centerpoint Martial Arts in 2016 based on their shared commitment to helping people. Having both trained in martial arts for over three decades, they created a studio that drew on the best of what the martial arts industry can provide. While they originally envisioned a “straight up” martial arts school, the Mishkins discovered families are looking for more global solutions to their health and wellness needs. They observed that parents often lack time more than financial resources, so camps and after-school programs with a martial arts core have become very important parts of the business. However, families want to be involved, so being able to watch their kids class before taking them home is very meaningful for both parents and children. They also have several families that train together, earning belts in Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Andy manages operations at the studio, with Hester providing support behind the scenes. Since opening in 2016, membership has grown seven-fold and the studio now employs a dozen people during their peak summer season.

In addition to online martial arts classes during the pandemic, Centerpoint ran a distance-learning support camp, allowing children to safely participate in a normal school environment. They hosted kids in the studio for online classes, providing academic support,

exercise classes, lunch and snack breaks. It helped working families meet their employment responsibilities and helped children build the social, physical and mental skills that go along with getting an education.

CHADWICK’S CRAFT SPIRITS—PITTSTON

that invites the community to enjoy their line of all-natural spirits and events such as open mic, trivia, fundraisers, and craft nights. During the pandemic, they created outdoor spaces which have expanded their possibilities for hosting. Currently, the company is working to expand its distribution throughout the state.

Chadwick’s Craft Spirits daily operation includes Lynn, her sister Laurel and brother Larry, Laurel’s children Anna and AJ, Larry’s daughter Kim and his grandson Wyatt. When all hands are “on deck”, their entire “village” encompasses three generations of Chadwicks.

After realizing she was allergic and sensitive to many of the artificial additives that are commonplace in large-scale manufacturing processes in the alcohol industry, Lynn Chadwick started Chadwick’s Craft Spirits in her childhood home, a log cabin built by her father, Larry, and two older brothers Larry & Lance. The cabin has become not only the company’s distillery, but also a tasting room

Head distiller Lynn and her nephew, AJ, create new spirit recipes and spearhead production of all spirits. AJ bartends alongside his sister, Anna, who is also the marketing and social media content creator. Laurel manages event coordination, management duties, and customer service. Larry is head groundskeeper; Kim is their mixologist and Wyatt is another one of their bartenders. It’s important to note that Lynn, Laurel, & Larry’s parents, Larry and Ann, are the company’s #1 supporters and welcoming committee. Larry holds court regaling stories of how the cabin and property came about and Ann embraces everyone she meets with her big smile.

Chadwick’s strives to showcase the qualities instilled in family, pride, honesty and hard work throughout all they do.

Left to right: Harriet, Hester and Andy Mishkin having fun at one of their first community events, a pirate-themed pizza party for kids.

A selection of Chadwick’s Craft Spirits product line that includes maple whiskey, liqueurs, and vodka.

CHILTON FURNITURE—PORTLAND 1

Chilton retained its own in-house designer in 2018, shifting its focus to proprietary designs—a move that has helped distinguish Chilton from larger regional competitors that have opened in southern Maine. Since the Levins took ownership, the company has doubled its sales, increased the number of employees by 50 percent, added a showroom on Commercial Street in Portland and increased the percentage of its furniture being made in Maine from 25 to 70 percent. This has enabled long-standing Maine builders to grow and has supported the creation of a new local partner workshop based in Lewiston with nine full-time craftsmen.

With Maine roots that date back to 1885, Chilton Furniture is a family-owned company offering a modern take on traditional New England wood furniture. Since 2014, the business has been owned by Jen and Jared Levin, whose complementary skills and passion for exceptional customer service and inspired design are helping the brand thrive. Chilton has locations in Freeport, Portland and Scarborough, and sells to customers across the U.S. through its website.

Above all, Chilton’s success comes from the company’s commitment to its team and customers. In their early years as owners, the Levins learned that everything starts with building and maintaining a cohesive, service minded team. More than half their business each year comes from returning customers, who consistently give five-star reviews for Chilton’s quality and above-and-beyond customer service. In addition, the company recently introduced a Lifetime Warranty to underscore that it stands behind its products. Employees are empowered to work with customers to find reasonable resolutions when problems do arise, including their in-house Service and Repair team that is dedicated to diagnosing and assisting customers with a solution.

Dance Studio of Maine

DSOM goes above and beyond to support its staff and dance families. During the pandemic, they were able to create on online teaching structure for all staff within a week. This included making over 100 classes a week virtual without skipping a beat. The also moved from an in-person recital to a virtual show using various forms of digital media to create a great ending product for their customers.

Trish Moulton purchased Dance Studio of Maine (DSOM), which had been in Gorham since 1954, in 2001 at age 24. Since then, her exceptional leadership and commitment to the community and her students has helped her grow a thriving family business, adding a second location in Sanford—the former Dianne’s School of Dance—in 2019.

An important aspect of DSOM is its commitment to inclusivity. The studio actively promotes a safe and supportive LQBTQAI+ affirming space where dancers can thrive. “The way we see it, dance is a language that brings us together in our purest forms,” says Trish. Running the business often means all hands on deck for the Moulton family. Trish’s husband builds props and transports items to and from events, and her children are involved in costume design and modeling for marketing shoots, as well as lending a “younger person’s perspective” when needed. In addition, Trish is proud to note that many of the people who work for DSOM grew up as her students and have been teaching for over 10 years.

Chilton Furniture showroom located on Commercial Street in Portland.

DSOM students and staff received the Spirit Revelation Award in Boston, MA in 2023 at Revel Dance Convention.

DRAGONFLY FARM & WINERY—STETSON 1

Dragonfly Farm & Winery was founded in 2004 and in 2020, Becky and Steve Crane purchased the business now run by three generations of their family. While the previous owners had started making fruit wines as a hobby, the Crane family saw the potential and have grown the business dramatically. In three years, both sales and production have doubled, with over 100,000 bottles sold and over 30,000 gallons produced.

Dragonfly makes fruit wines, including blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry and more and prides itself on making a consistently delicious product without the alcohol burn. While the Cranes love being thought of as a small winery, they are in fact one of Maine’s largest, with their wines available in more than 400 stores across the state, as well as in their tasting room in Stetson.

Becky and Steve’s daughter, Chelsea Pitts, and her husband, Douglass, live on the property where the tasting room and production facility are located and run the business day-to-day. Their other daughter, Megan Wei, her spouse, Ben, and their young son, Evan, live next door and work part-time at the winery. Steve and Becky’s parents frequently help in the tasting room as well. There are no job titles—everyone has to know how do to everything so they can keep things moving. Sometimes that means everyone is in the tasting room assisting customers; other times, they are all in the production building making wine. This fluid approach works for the family and for the business.

Christopher Ellis-Jacobs and Dylan Ellis-Jacobs started edible MAINE in 2017 with a simple yet powerful mission: to celebrate and promote local food culture and sustainable living in the State of Maine. Recognizing the richness of Maine’s local food scene and the importance of supporting the local farmers, chefs, artisans, and food-related businesses that make it possible, they launched their magazine to tell their stories and connect them with consumers who share the founders’ values.

Over the years, edible MAINE has evolved to meet the changing needs of readers and the local food community. This has included expanding the magazine’s digital presence, developing their website and e-newsletters and becoming more active on social media, enabling them to reach a wider audience and provide more timely and interactive content.

As a family-run business, Chris and Dylan are already nurturing the next generation’s passion for local food and sustainability. They have four-year-old twin boys, and they look forward to the day they will join their parents in running the magazine.

The Ellis-Jacobs family supports community initiatives and nonprofit organizations that align with edible MAINE’s mission. Recognizing the importance of these organizations in fostering a sustainable and vibrant local food community, the magazine often provides ad space at a deeply discounted or fully comped rate. This allows these organizations to reach a wider audience and amplify their impact. By doing so, edible MAINE is supporting their work and raising readers’ awareness about important food and sustainability issues.

Dylan, Chris and the twins.

Dragonfly’s most popular wine, Candle Waster, is always made using real cranberries!

GORHAM SAND & GRAVEL, INC.—BUXTON

Brothers Tom and Jim Shaw founded Gorham Sand & Gravel in 1987 at the young ages of 17 and 19. With little capital, they turned to their mother for a loan to purchase a backhoe to get their earthwork business off the ground. They invested their first-year profits into the business, purchasing more equipment and a local garbage collection company. Within a few years, they were able to sell the garbage collection company and focus on growing the earthwork business.

Thanks to a housing boom and little competition at the time, the Shaws were able to add employees and expand across southern Maine. Today, they are a multimillion-dollar company with nearly 100 employees, four active pits and offer construction services from Kittery to Brunswick.

Jim remains an active company leader, working daily with their crews. His son, Pat, manages projects and leads the survey/GPS crew. While Tom sadly passed in January 2022 his son, Darin, leads pit/mine operations and has begun branching into project management. Tom’s stepson, Mike, has been with the company over 20 years and serves as lead estimator.

HANCOCK LUMBER—CASCO

7 TH GENERATION

Being in the lumber business since 1848 says more about Hancock Lumber’s commitment to the future than it does about their past. Today, the integrated forest products company is passionate about their people-first and values driven culture. Operating high-efficiency sawmills, a network of lumberyards, truss and wall panel manufacturing facilities, and kitchen design showrooms, Team Hancock is led by over 720 employees.

Gorham Sand & Gravel has a reputation for taking care of their employees, customers, and community members. Several employees have been with the company for 10, 15 and 20+ years, including some who have recruited their own family members to join the team. They believe strongly in giving back to the community, donating thousands of dollars each year to local sports teams, charity fundraisers and local food pantries.”

Behind the day-to-day operations is a team of owners dedicated to the company’s mission, encouraging a culture where everyone feels trusted, respected, valued, heard, and empowered to lead. With this approach, the company’s financial performance has soared, breaking records for the past decade, including being recognized as a ‘Best Place to Work in Maine’ 10 years in a row.

Today there are five family-member shareholders, representing the fifth, sixth, and seventh generations. Alignment prevails across the owners and Board, and continues across all work groups, enabling execution on strategy and helping create a culture where employees feel part of the family business and care for it as if their own name was on the building and trucks.

A fifth generation Hancock, Carol created the Carol + David Hancock Charitable Trust in 1993 after her husband’s passing; in 2021 the Trust celebrated $1,000,000 in assets and the same amount of lifetime giving.

Carol and David’s son, Kevin, former CEO and President, is currently a managing owner and Chairman of the Board. Kevin’s wife, Alison, serves on the Trust board. Their daughter, Sydney, joined the business in 2022 as Content + Social Media Manager. Daughter Abby and her husband welcomed their daughter, Sumner, in December 2022, the first official member of the eighth generation!

7 Generations of the Hancock Family poses in front of the newly constructed Casco Sawmill Office.

Specializing in earthwork construction and excavation services across Southern Maine.

HEBERT CONSTRUCTION—LEWISTON

Hebert Construction, founded in 1943 by Edward Hebert, has grown from a small residential carpentry company to one of northern New England’s leading construction contractors. They have offices in Lewiston and Portland and serve clients throughout central and southern Maine in commercial, corporate, healthcare, educational and housing.

The company emphasizes culture and quality of work over highspeed growth. Throughout Hebert’s 80-year history, they have been able to retain and offer consistent work, never having to implement seasonal or necessary layoffs. They are also committed to the continued education and reskilling of their workforce through a variety of partnerships and offerings. Because of this loyalty to their employees, along with their commitment to quality, the company employs people who want to make working at Hebert their career. Their average tenure of workers is 12 years, with a handful at 25+ years and one at 36 years!

Hebert focuses on growing at a sustainable pace to ensure both employee and customer satisfaction and to always maintain a high standard of quality. The last several years have proven that their focus on relationship building has generated significant organic growth through referrals and repeat business. From 2014 to 2022, revenue grew 147 percent.

Tim is a third generation representative and serves as CEO and project manager while Simon Hebert, COO and project manager, and Mike Richard, site superintendent, represent the fourth generation of family leadership.

January and Jason Furchak purchased Holy Cannoli, a Waterville bakery and deli, in 2019 just months before the pandemic. Neither had business or restaurant experience but they believed in each other and shared a desire to serve the community and build a business for their family. They were able to remain open every day and even increased sales despite the many challenges of the pandemic.

Since taking ownership, they have more than doubled the sales of the previous ownership and moved to a building next door to the original location, doubling their space. They also endured significant road construction in front of their business that closed their Main Street entrance.

The Furchaks attribute their success to doing things “the old-fashioned way”—rolling dough out by hand with rolling pins, stuffing their dough or cutting their veggies by hand, and making all their food from scratch. As others start to look toward technology to decorate, they’re still hand piping. “We believe the best food comes from scratch and made with love, not machines,” says January, who notes that her and Jason’s strengths complement each other. Jason is the “face of the business,” while January manages operations behind the scenes. They both work in the kitchen, with Jason focusing on savory offerings and January on baking. They call on their daughters and their significant others to assist with holiday and large catering orders.

They believe in treating people with dignity and in giving back to the community, donating food to local homeless shelters and soup kitchens and occasionally feeding the local police or fire departments.

Tim Hebert, CEO, Simon Hebert, COO. In loving memory of Michael Hebert 1962-2023.

Holy Cannoli team receives the Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award 2022.

MAHOOSUC GUIDE SERVICE—NEWRY

Polly Mahoney and Kevin Slater have been providing unforgettable four-season outdoor experiences since 1990. Based in Maine’s western foothills, they started Mahoosuc Guide Service with 10 sled dogs and decades of combined guiding and teaching experience across the U.S. and Canada.

For over 30 years, Kevin and Polly have been leaders in the field of working with indigenous people to help them develop cultural tourism experiences, working with Wabanaki here in Maine and Cree and Inuit in Canada. They are keeping alive the traditions and heritage of the old Maine Guide by making most of the equipment (canoes, paddles, dog sleds, snowshoes) that they use on their owner-led guided trips.

Polly and Kevin are both actively involved in maintaining the standards and qualifications of a registered Maine guide, and host wilderness first aid courses and other trainings to help guides maintain their skills and certifications. Over their 34 years in business, Mahoosuc has had more than 60 apprentices, many of whom have gone on to become licensed Maine Guides.

In addition to dogsledding and canoeing excursions in Maine, Mahoosuc offers cultural trips including dog sledding in the Arctic, snowshoeing and canoe trips with Cree and Inuit guides. They are training members of the Penobscot nation to become Maine guides

and learn skills that have been lost in their culture. They also create custom group excursions in Maine, Ouje-Bougoumou, James and Hudson Bays, and Nunavik, Quebec, and host dances and concerts in their lodge to engage with the local community.

In 2017, Michael Molisho started Maine Med Cleaning Service with one employee and the support of a friend who gave Michael his prized floor cleaning equipment he’d purchased when starting out 40 years earlier.

Initially employing a few family members as his cleaning crews, the company landed its first commercial contract in 2018, and by 2019 had contracts with several local companies, enabling Michael to hire more staff.

At the start of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Michael received a call from Maine Medical Center. They needed a crew that could commit to staying at the hospital to clean around the clock. This contract doubled their staff to 50 employees; they added 50 more within that year as they gained cleaning contracts at Maine Med’s other health offices. The company now has 125 employees and is the leading provider of commercial cleaning services for the area’s hospital industry.

Michael’s wife manages the company’s finances and several other family members work on the cleaning crew. They use only environmentally safe, non-toxic cleaning products and have invested in more sophisticated equipment to relieve the physical effort of com-

mercial cleaning. This has improved efficiency, quality, and safety for their employees.

The company supports the community by providing food daily for immigrants in the local shelters and collecting clothing and other supplies for people in need. In addition, Michael has a vision to deliver more on-the-job training to refugees to better prepare them to work so they can be financially independent.

Maine Med Cleaning Services owner Michael Molisho in front of one of their company vans used by crews to travel to various work sites across Maine.

Owners Kevin, Polly & one of their sled dogs, Cormac.

MAINE-LY DRIZZLE—KENNEBUNKPORT

They believe that being a family business helps them relate to their customers, who come back to their shops year after year because of the great selection and the exceptional service. They are committed to providing each customer personal attention learning their preferences and creating unique oil and vinegar combinations for them to sample based on what they’ve heard. They strive to make every customer feel as though they are the only ones in the store, even on the busiest days.

The Maucieris treat their employees like family, recognizing that this is key to maintaining a high level of customer service. They offer a generous employee discount, often provide employees with new products to take home and try and host meals and events to thank employees at the beginning and end of the busy tourist season. Many of their seasonal employees come back year after year.

The Maucieris decided they wanted to work together. Having moved to Maine ten years earlier, in 2013 they decided to combine their passion, drive and intensity and found a business opportunity that felt perfect for them. They opened Maine-ly Drizzle, a retail shop offering artisan olive oils, balsamic vinegars and other gourmet foods, in Kennebunkport and now has a second location in Ogunquit.

MARIN SKINCARE—PORTLAND

One in ten people has eczema, an itchy and often painful skin condition that often starts in childhood. Two University of Maine bioengineering graduates were among those seeking relief when they discovered a life-changing new skincare ingredient that cleared their eczema and sparked the idea behind Marin Skincare.

Marin Skincare creates gentle and effective skincare for eczema, psoriasis and dry skin, using a glycoprotein found in lobster as the key ingredient. After conducting the research, filing patents and developing a product, they launched their company in 2020. Products are sold mainly online direct to consumers, but earlier this year they have begun growing a small retail footprint with launches at L.L.Bean and Sea Bags.

Glycoproteins are a natural byproduct of lobster processing, so Marin has developed an innovative partnership with Luke’s Lobster to collect these glycoproteins in their lobster processing plant, creating five new FTE positions there and bringing more dollars back into fishermen’s pockets.

The company’s initial offering, Soothing Hydration Cream, has driven seven-figure growth within its first two years. Marin Skincare is now working on developing additional products and marketing glycoprotein as a blockbuster active ingredient that can provide relief to people who suffer from dry, damaged, itchy skin.

Debbie and Nick’s grandson, James, is general manager of one of their stores. Their daughter Melodee, daughter-in-law to be, Breanna bottles products for both stores and tracks inventory, and granddaughter, Layla labels bottles after school. Nick’s Dad, Nick also worked for a number of years, until his passing in 2021 at 90 years young. Customers loved seeing him in the store and he is missed dearly.

Marin Skincare is a partnership between Chief Executive Officer Patrick Breeding and Chief Product Officer Amber Boutiette, who have been together for 10 years. Patrick manages finance, legal, and biomedical R&D while Amber manages brand, product, and creative. The couple jointly manages marketing and sales.

Our amazing Maine-ly Drizzle team enjoying a much deserved thank you dinner following a really busy summer season. Love our staff!

Co-founders Patrick Breeding and Amber Boutitte.

MEANS WEALTH MANAGEMENT—BANGOR

Means Wealth Management, a SEC-registered investment adviser, is the oldest independent wealth management firm in Central and Northern Maine. Means Wealth was founded in 1935 by David G. Means, who believed in principled patience, honest integrity, and warm, personal service. His philosophy continues to shape the firm’s actions today, even as they apply it to modern financial solutions.

The firm is now run by the second and third generation Means family. Paul, David’s son, has over 50 years of industry experience. Through his leadership, the firm has built upon the reputation David formed and has grown immensely since he became President in 1986.

Paul and his wife, Rachel, have three sons, all of whom chose to pursue careers in the wealth management industry and all of whom now work for Means Wealth. Middle son, Zach, serves as President, leading the firm from its Bangor home office location along with CEO, Erin Barry. Sons David and Alex manage the firm’s South Carolina locations.

Means Wealth believes family is an integral component to the “Means experience,” both for employees and clients. For employees, there is a special bond as a team that extends beyond their professional connection where coworkers end up feeling more like

family. For clients, this often is the case as well. Working with families is one of Means Wealth’s passions and, over the course of three generations and almost nine decades in the business, they have had the pleasure of working with clients, their children, their grandchildren, and beyond.

A decade ago, Lucie Narukundo (her father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.) and her mother is from Rwanda) and her family came to the U.S. after being granted asylum as refugees and genocide survivors fleeing war torn Rwanda.

Even in the presence of innumerable obstacles, including language barriers, cultural/societal differences and limited business acumen, Lucie and her husband, Budederi Boniface took a leap of faith and opened Moriah Market LLC in 2017 as a way of remaining independent, functioning and contributing members of their new American community.

“Ours is a community-based culture, where everything revolves around families,” says Lucie, CEO of Moriah Market. This means family members are committed to help with business operations when needed. Over the years, Moriah Market has become a beacon in Maine’s ever-growing immigrant community. Lucie serves as a community liaison, family counselor, and general helper for all immigrants as they navigate this new world.

They exclusively offer goods and products that are available all over Sub-Saharan African countries, making it the primary and ultimate go to mom-and-pop African grocery store in the Greater Portland area. While most African grocery stores are regional, Moriah Market LLC provide goods and services from all African cultures and ethnicities.

This family business is a pillar in the African immigrant community, and is preparing to open a second location. The store provides highly coveted goods and services from continental Africa, and also acts as a provisional information hub that immigrants use every day. Moreover, Moriah Market not only feeds the community, it has also inspired many new Americans to start their own small enterprises.

The Means Team at their summer party Mary Jane staff dressed for holiday fun!

Founder, Lucie Narukundo.

CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL OF THE FINALISTS!

ANNIVERSARY!

Family-owned business who considers each team member a part of our extended family.

THE LARGEST FLOORING DISTRIBUTOR IN THE NORTHEAST

OVER 150 MANUFACTURERS TO CHOOSE FROM!

OLD BELGRADE ROAD

GABRIEL DRIVE

LOCATED IN AUGUSTA, ME

MR. DREW AND HIS ANIMALS TOO—LEWISTON

store selling food and supplies for exotic pets. Mr. Drew performs over 600 shows a year for people of all ages, while Susan handles finances, staffing and much more.

Mr. Drew rehabilitates injured, neglected and unwanted exotic animals, finding them good homes or using them in his shows for educational purposes. His passion is teaching all generations about environmental and conservation issues, with a focus on protecting Maine wildlife and ecosystems by preventing the release of exotic animals into the wild. He believes education of environmental awareness is key in these changing times and aims to teach the next generation that they are the stewards of this planet we all share.

He ends each show with his One-Piece Challenge, urging audiences to pick up one piece of litter each day and dispose of it properly, noting, “If we can all work together, we can make tomorrow better, one piece at a time.”

Drew Desjardins, a.k.a. Mr. Drew, and his wife, Susan, started their unique edutainment business out of their home in 2012, offering a handful of small educational presentations on environmental and conservation issues. Today, Mr. Drew and His Animals Too is preparing to open Maine’s first family museum of natural science and exotic rescue in a 10,000-sf facility in Lewiston, and runs a retail

The activity director at the Coastal Children’s Museum commented, “Mr. Drew has a way of infusing environmental concerns, human responsibilities, and kid-power to change our universe with his inspired edutainment.”

Norman Pomerleau started NRF Distributors in 1973. Over the past 50 years, the flooring distributor has expanded from a small building to a 420,000 square-foot facility with over 300 employees, a fleet of 70 trucks and 48 sales representatives serving 1,800 accounts across New England, New York and Pennsylvania. They are the 5th largest floor covering distributor in the United States.

They pride themselves on having an exceptional warehousing system and using a “home-grown” computer system with five fulltime programmers on staff that can edit the system in real time as needed. They were among the first in their industry to use barcoding before it was standard.

NRF also strives to be first in customer service. As their founder always says, “We don’t make anything—all we have is our service. The customer always comes first.”

An impressive 17 family members representing four generations are currently involved in NRF. Each department in the company is run by a family member, and family is involved at every level from vice presidents to warehouse workers. Everyone is fully committed to NRF’s success, whether they have been with the company 50 years or just a few weeks.

NRF is stronger because of its family dynamics. They do not just have their own family working for the company, but many other families as well. From finance, sales and customer service to drivers and warehouse workers, there are many families integral to the company. People who join NRF feel like they are part of the family.

Owners, Drew and Susan Desjardin.

Norman Pomerleau’s grandchildren, along with the SR Vice President Lee Gray, celebrating the companies 50th Anniversary at the annual NEFM event at Foxwoods.

PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES—BOOTHBAY HARBOR

1ST GENERATION

Roger and Lisa Matthews hail from Austin, Texas, but chose Maine—Boothbay Harbor, specifically—as the ideal spot to open their Pedego Electric Bike shop in June 2022. They chose Pedego because they’re passionate about ebikes improving a person’s quality of life and supporting environmental concerns by getting more people riding and less cars driving. They wanted to relocate

to Boothbay Harbor year-round and thought ebikes would be a nice fit in their new community without competing with any existing businesses.

This year, they’ve added two more employees, realized more than 50 percent growth in gross sales and net profits, and expanded their market share beyond Lincoln County. They introduced a tour division in September 2023, collaborating with local businesses, and anticipate adding more seasonal personnel as a result. They foresee opening a second satellite store in the Camden area within the next couple of years.

They pride themselves on helping each customer find their perfect ebike and providing local service and support to keep them happily riding for years to come. They spend as much time as it takes to help customers find the right bike, fit it appropriately and teach them how to ride confidently and safely, even if it’s been decades since they rode a bike or if they have special mobility considerations.

Roger, Chief Fun Officer, manages every aspect of the store and treats everyone who comes in as family. Lisa, Chief Entertainment Officer, is responsible for all marketing and advertising efforts and runs the new tour division.

PRATT ABBOTT GARMENT CARE—WESTBROOK

2 ND GENERATION

Pratt Abbott has been Maine’s first name in garment care since its founding in 1944. Since father and son Jim and David Machesney purchased the business in 1991, the company has become an industry leader and innovator not only locally but nationally. Today they control roughly 90 percent of the dry-cleaning market share in York and Cumberland counties

They were among the first dry cleaners in the nation to revitalize home and office delivery, capturing the attention of the industry nationwide. They developed a business model that has allowed their route delivery department to grow into one of the most profitable per employee in the country, with an average employee tenure of 18 years. In March 2023, Pratt Abbott launched New England’s first counterless store in Falmouth open for pick-up and drop-off 24/7.

Sales for Pratt Abbott Garment Care (retail dry cleaning and laundry) have more than tripled since the 1990s despite sharp declines in dry cleaning pieces and sales industry-wide as clothing and workwear became more casual and indoor public smoking was banned.

Two generations of Machesneys are currently involved with the business. David Machesney is President. David’s daughter, Emily Machesney, is Development Manager/Human Resources.

Pratt Abbott has been committed to serving the community since its founding. Their flagship nonprofit initiative is Coats for Kids, which they helped found with the Salvation Army in 1982. Last year alone, they collected and cleaned 50,000 coats and anticipate collecting their one millionth coat in 2023.

Team Pedego Boothbay Harbor: Kevin Adkins (Fun Manager), Blake Erhard (Senior Technician), Lisa Matthews (Chief Entertainment Officer) & Roger Matthews (Chief Fun Officer).

Emily Machesney, center, third generation.

THE COTE CORPORATION (COTE CRANE & RIGGING)

The Cote Corporation was founded in 1966 by Armand E. Cote and his wife, Carmen, to provide crane service to local contractors. Since then, they have become a full-service company experienced in meeting the challenging requirements of pulp-paper, solar, mechanical, medical, industrial and general construction industries throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

Today, as the state’s largest family run crane and rigging company, Cote strives to provide exceptional service to their customers and provide a work environment that all employees can call family. The field personnel at Cote Corp. are experts in the industry, working as a team to solve challenges large and small that customers bring their way. While the company has invested in the most sophisticated equipment in the industry, the true innovation comes every day with employees strategizing and executing on very complex projects. For years, organizations such as the United States Department of Defense, Emergency Management agencies, and companies around the world, have identified Cote as their preferred crane and rigging company, based on the company’s innovative and solutions-oriented employees and their proven success.

The Cote Corporation has continued to thrive through strategic thinking, employee initiative, constant innovation in their field, and motivation to be an industry leader. With Cote family members still leading the company, including Dan Cote, Sr., Treasurer/CEO,

Daniel Cote, Jr., President, and Matthew Cote, Finance/Administration, the organization continues to improve both their equipment and their personal capabilities, and sets the standard for family business in their industry.

Tree of Life Chiropractic was founded in 2019 by Drs. Conor and Victoria Campbell with a mission of creating a community where like-minded people could come together to build a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families.

The moment patients arrive at the practice, they know they have found a special place run by a special family who are committed to bringing the best chiropractic and holistic care to every patient, every day. Tree of Life specializes in pediatric chiropractic and chiropractic for pregnant women, so the entire family can be cared for at Tree of Life, for every stage of life.

The practice uses Insight scanning technology to understand how each patient deals with various stressors, enabling them to create individualized care plans for each patient. They find the scans important in helping patients understand how their stress is impacting them and to connect the dots to start their healing journey.

The practice has grown steadily in terms of staff, patients and revenue. They have added a CFT nurse and eventually would like to expand and hire a nutritionist, acupuncturist, therapist, personal trainers, and other chiropractors to support their patients’ needs.

As a husband-and-wife team, the Campbells split the tasks of running the business. Victoria is focused on a lot of the outside marketing with social media and Conor is focused on the bookkeeping aspect of the business. On top of that they are both continuously cultivating relationships with their patients, other providers, and other businesses.

Cote Corporation partnering with Lyman-Morse Technologies on canopy construction of a showpiece slated for Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Co-Owners Dr. Conor Campbell, Dr. Victoria Campbell and their son Emory Campbell.

UNCOMMON HOSPITALITY—PORTLAND

Together Tony and Nate DeLois own Uncommon Hospitality, a hotel management and development company based in Portland. The brothers grew up in Yarmouth and pursued different careers for a while (Tony became a chef and Nate worked in real estate) before entering the hotel industry.

It was actually their father who encouraged them to join the industry and inspired this small family business. After he purchased The Colonial Inn in 2011 and The Admiral’s Inn in 2015 (both in Ogunquit) he recruited his son Tony to oversee operations and help both properties run more efficiently. Nate joined the team in 2017 when they began to develop The Francis Hotel in Portland and after realizing how well they worked together, Uncommon Hospitality was officially formed.

Nowadays, Tony takes the role of people manager as the COO and Nate looks after the finances and development of new projects as the CFO. On the horizon is Longfellow Hotel, set to open soon in Portland, and projects in Rangeley and Augusta.

Over the years, the hotels in Uncommon’s portfolio have all experienced significant growth in gross sales and net operating income and have become some of the top ranked hotels on TripAdvisor but most importantly, Nate and Tony have committed themselves to fostering an empowering culture where everyone feels trusted, valued and appreciated for their contributions.

WOOD PELLET WAREHOUSE—JAY

Their goal is to create a company where every one of their team members feels just as fulfilled as the guests they welcome into the hotels each day.

Steve Barker started Wood Pellet Warehouse in 2007 throwing wood pellets out of the back of his pickup truck. That year he sold around 30 tons of pellets. Today, Steve and his son, James, have built the family business into a company employing 20 people

from two locations, Jay and Turner, and sell roughly 25,000 tons of wood pellets to homeowners across Maine and New Hampshire each year. The company takes pride in helping Maine and New Hampshire residents heat their homes with high-quality renewable wood products that support the local economy.

When Steve and James say “bring the heat” it really captures a simple philosophy: offer a wide range of pellet options with a quality guarantee, highly competitive pricing for both product and delivery, and delivery customized to the customer’s specific needs. As their market matures they have found several new ways to grow, such as expanding their service market to New Hampshire, offering annual stove cleanings and repairs, and adding a trucking/logistics company and warehousing services.

The father-son team are hands-on business owners, working on daily tasks with the rest of the crew each and every day. They love to lead by example. From office work to delivering pellets, Steve and James would not ask someone to do something they wouldn’t do or have not done themselves. Typically, Steve does deliveries of pellets, customer service and daily errands. James works on dayto-day operations, sales and continuing to improve the business for future growth.

One of our delivery trucks that can be seen delivering in Maine and New Hampshire that comes equipped allowing us to deliver your product where you need it.

Co-Owners Dr. Conor Campbell, Dr. Victoria Campbell and their son Emory Campbell.

TOGETHER LET’S MAKE WORKERS’ COMP WORK BETTER

Fewer injuries and expert injury management means lower costs for workers’ compensation insurance. That’s why MEMIC is the best investment employers can make to protect their valued employees. You’ll have access to robust online resources, safety experts and outstanding injury management specialists. And with many services like pay-as-you-go payment options and workplace injury triage services, we make workers’ comp work better for you.

In Maine, safety pays dividends.

As a Maine policyholder of this mutual insurance company, you also may qualify for a dividend. Since issuing its first dividend in 1998, MEMIC has authorized the return of more than $333 million in capital contributions and dividends—money that goes back in t he Maine economy, right where it belongs.

2023 Circle of F riends sponsors

Lee Auto Malls is proud to support the MAINE FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS

From one family business to another, congratulations to all the Award Finalists and the Institute for Family-Owned Business!

Family owned and operated since 1936.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Join us for one or all of our upcoming programs for fall/ winter 2023 and the start of 2024! Free for members and a nominal fee for future members i.e., non-members. Learn from our experts, including our family-owned businesses, network and experience the magic of the IFOB!

“How To’s”: Your Family Businesses’ Resiliency Depends on its Structure

Date: Thursday, November 2 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.

In-Person & Zoom – Continental Breakfast

Location: BerryDunn – 2211 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102 and Zoom

Cost: IFOB Members, In-person and Virtual: Free; Future Members, In-person: $35, Virtual: $15

Speakers: Ted Clark, Director Center for Family Business, Executive Professor Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Northeastern University and Debbie Bing, President and Principal, CFAR

Family Business Panelists: Kim Wolak, President and Franchise Owner, The Wolak Group (solely owned – 2nd generation); Joe Capozza III, President, Katie Capozza, Vice President and Tia Green, Vice President, Capozza, Floor Covering Center and Old Port Specialty Tile Co. (sibling owned – 3rd generation); and Clara Collins, Operations Manager and Adam Collins, Sales, S.W. Collins Company (diffusely cousin owned – 6th generation).

Your family business’s resiliency depends on its structure strategies for whether your business is solely owned, sibling controlled, or diffusely owned. To truly understand the issues that impact a family business, you must see them for what they are: Family businesses are not a monolithic block, but rather a “species” with various subspecies, and any advice given to them should be tailored to fit that specific sub-species. At this workshop, we’ll identify the three types of family business, their structures and how to best develop a strategy to improve our opportunities for resilience and longevity.

Sponsored by: Mainebiz and CFAR

Next Gen Multi-Generational Panel, Open Recruitment Program

Date: Thursday, November 9 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location: In-Person & Zoom - BerryDunn, 2211 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102

Cost: IFOB Members, In-person and Virtual: Free; Future Members, In-person: $35, Virtual: $15

Speaker: Anne Hussey, Partner, Quad Group & 6th Generation Owner, Hussey Seating Company

Family Business Panelists:

• First Generation: Molly White – President, You Regatta

• Second Generation: Sophie Halpin - Chartered SRI Counselor / Financial Advisor, Back Cove Financial

• Third Generation: Daniel Cote – President, The Cote Corporation

• Fourth Generation: Jeffery Messer – Owner and CEO, Messer Truck Equipment

• Sixth Generation: Rich Hussey – Owner and Vice President of Human Resources, Hussey Seating Company

• Seventh Generation: Philip Hussey – Owner of Hussey Seating Company & Vice President, Chenmark

This is our annual Next Gen celebration / recruitment program with our existing groups and a great opportunity for future members to make new connections, and learn about the Next Gen Peer Affinity Groups and how they have helped members run their family-owned business.

We’ll hear from family business leaders of companies spanning a 1st generation business through to a 7th generation business. They will provide insight to the challenges of each stage of their business and share critical success factors. Learn from those who have done it! This event will be facilitated by Anne Hussey, Partner of Quad Group, also a 6th generation owner of Hussey Seating Company. Attendees will have a better understanding of the common characteristics of a business in each of the 7 generations. They will also learn more about the best practices for business continuity and how to successfully navigate the challenges of each phase.

Sponsored by: Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Maine Trust

How-To’s”: Planned and Unexpected Family Business Transitions

Date: Thursday, December 7 | 8:00-10:00 a.m.

In-Person & Zoom – Continental Breakfast

Location: BerryDunn – 2211 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102 and Zoom

Cost: IFOB Members, In-person and Virtual: Free; Future Members, In-person: $35, Virtual: $15

Speakers: Karin Gregory, Managing Partner, Blue Highway Growth Capital

Family Business Panelists: Jeffrey Messer, President, Messer Truck Equipment and Darin Shaw, Manager, Gorham Sand & Gravel, Inc.

Transitioning a family business to the next generation is hard. It’s even harder when the transition is necessitated by forces outside of your control. Participants in this session will hear stories from other family business leaders on what to do (or not do) to ensure your business is ready for the next generation of leadership. 50% of business owners leave involuntarily: death, disability, divorce, distress/departure, or disagreement. What is the impact of these involuntary departures and how does a family business recover?

Making the decision to retire from a family business and making the transition successful is a set of skills that most business owners do not have but have to learn. We’ll also learn ways to address the elements of a good family business transition that factors in employees and family

members. Join us for a discussion with family business leaders who have faced such scenarios. We’ll learn from their experiences and glean what steps you can take to prepare for the unexpected.

Sponsored by: Mainebiz and Maine HR Convention

Holiday Party – Mingle and Jingle in January

Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. In -Person

Location: The Woodlands Club, 39 Woods Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

Cost: IFOB Members: Free; Future Members: $35

Join the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Catherine Wygant Fossett, the Executive Director, and IFOB staff for an evening of appreciation for your support and commitment to the IFOB. We’ll mingle and jingle with delicious hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a cash bar.

Sponsored by our Founding Sponsors: Verrill, BerryDunn, MEMIC, TD Bank, Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company, and Richard Brothers Financial Advisors.

NEW Working Parents Peer Advisory Group

Exclusive to IFOB Members

Are you a dedicated working parent striving to strike the perfect balance between career success and family life? Join us in spearheading a dynamic working parents group that's committed to supporting each other and addressing the unique challenges faced by parents in the workplace. This peer group is open to ALL IFOB members regardless of gender, organizational role (CEO) - entry level) or family business & associate partner status.

Topics we will cover include:

Work-Life Harmony

Reach out to: Brooke Stewart

IFOB Director of Communications, working parent of two and group leader brooke@fambusiness.org

Prioritizing Self-Care

Addressing Working Parents Challenges

Gaining Organizational Support

The Role Working Parents Play in the Workforce And MORE!

This peer group is generously sponsored by working parents supporter:

banking that starts with you.

When our community thrives, we all prosper.

Prosperity is about so much more than money. It’s about living well in a community that is healthy and stable. We feel fortunate to live in a place supported by so many successful businesses and families. Their good deeds make everyone’s life richer. Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Maine Family Business Awards!

The Breakwater Group at Morgan Stanley — proudly serving successful families, private businesses and local organizations.

Financial Advisor

Cameron Shorey, CFP,® QPFC

Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

Jane Stevens, ChFC,® RICP,® CLTC® Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor

100 Middle Street Portland, ME 04101 207-871-7315

gary.r.bergeron@ morganstanley.com

advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-breakwater-group

© 2022 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 5078414 12/22

L-R: Cameron Shorey, Jane Stevens, Gary Bergeron

Your business is not just a major asset. It represents years of commitment, focus, and energy.

Have you put that same energy into a transition plan that meets your financial, personal, and business goals?

We have the tools to help.

Start a conversation: Sarahhalpin@backcovefinancial.com

ENJOY THE EVENT?

You may already know, the IFOB is a 501(c)(3) that runs on memberships, sponsorships and donations.

We’d love your help in continuing our programming and mission to support family businesses and our economy.

Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to make a tax deductible contribution today!

Kindness.

We’ve spent the last century supporting local dairy farmers, providing the people of Maine (and beyond) the freshest dairy products possible, and doing our part to give back to the communities in which we do business. Helping our communities is in our DNA — we will continue to spread kindness, show off our goodness, and celebrate our Maineness.

THANK YOU

The Maine Family Business Awards thanks these fine people and businesses who have contributed their time and energy to make tonight a success.

Maddy Corson

Amanda Hill

Paula Mahony

Chase Morrill

Ashley Morrill

Ryan Eldridge

Jen Reese

Kelly Warsky

Imij Armstead

Kris Ward

PROGRAM

Editorial: Angie Helton

Catherine Wygant Fossett and Brooke Stewart

Design: LeAnna Grosso

Printing: Franklin Printing

Gretchen Armstead

Shae-Li Fendler

Dottie Chalmers Cutter

Lindsay Skilling

Joe Capozza III

Jacques Santucci

Deirdre Wadsworth

Dave Ciullo

Anne Hussey

Amy Volk

Coordination: Brooke Stewart and Marlena Rose Maglieri

Chris Lynch

Charlie Zachau

Georges Budagu Makoko

Jennifer Johnson

Nikki Strout

Keith Citrine

Daniel Willis

Rhonda Wanser

Angie Helton

Jennifer Dimond

Kristen Levesque

LeAnne Grosso

Brooke Stewart

Marlena Rose Maglieri

Julie Spugnardi

Judith Appel White

Diane Madruga

Janet Sydnor

Roxana Brezeanu

David Nemi

2022 MFBA winners