OneVoice Maine Fall 2023

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E M A I N E S TAT E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

The

Cianchette Founders Brothers of Cianbro A tribute to their large lives, lasting legacies, and indelible imprint on Maine

Consistently delivering superior quality since 1949.

At the heart of our achievement as Maine’s largest employee-owned company lies the enduring legacy of the Cianche�e brothers. Their vision encompassed more than mere construc�on – it created a founda�on for shared success and collec�ve growth. They understood that the strength of a company lies in its people, and by sharing the success, we all rise together.

As we carry forward the Cianche�e legacy, we do so with a deep sense of pride and responsibility.

We honor their profound impact on Maine and the construc�on industry. Their influence reaches far beyond the structures they built – it’s in the values they ins�lled, the standards they set, and the future they created for the team members across The Cianbro Companies.

www.cianbro.com

Powering partners

Serving our communities means delivering reliable, essential electricity. It also means investing our energy in the organizations and events that make our communities special.

We are pleased to lend our support to the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

WELCOME

A Message from Chamber Leadership I N T H I S E D I T I O N of OneVoice Maine, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce

LUANN BALLESTEROS Board Chair

PAT R I C K W O O D C O C K President & CEO

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Maine State Chamber of Commerce

is honored to pay tribute to four brothers — Carl, Kenneth, Ival “Bud,” and Alton “Chuck” Cianchette — founders of Cianbro, whose impact on Maine, Maine people, our economy, and communities across our State is truly immeasurable.

All four brothers led large lives — lives committed to family, their communities, and their employees at Cianbro, which has become one of the largest, most successful and most reputable construction companies in the United States, and is now 100% employee-owned.

The four Cianchette brothers literally and figuratively helped build Maine, and their legacies live on.

In many ways, the story and success of the Cianchette brothers is the realization of the American Dream. Their father, Ralph, was an immigrant from Italy. Together with his wife, Edna, they raised seven children in Pittsfield, Maine, instilling in this next generation strong values, adventurous and innovative spirits, a sense of entrepreneurship, and a work ethic that is unparalleled. Ralph and Edna also embedded a strong sense of family and purpose in their children. Their influence continues today, well after four of their sons launched Cianbro. The generations of Cianchettes that have followed are integral to Maine’s economy and communities, with many continuing a legacy of public and community service.

Each of the Cianchette brothers who founded Cianbro left an indelible imprint on our state. Their stories are not only of business success, but also of public service, civic duty, and philanthropy. Their collective story is one of determination, generosity, family, and giving back to the community. These themes continue to resonate today, with the Cianchette brothers of Cianbro as shining examples to follow.

Important to the story of these brothers — and a point that cannot go unstated — is their unique ability to work collaboratively and effectively to create a successful company with a national reputation. Also unique is their success in building the Cianbro brand - with projects in every part of Maine and throughout the United States — a brand that endures in the legacy of the brothers: their business approach, strong work ethic, and putting people first - important lessons for us all.

The Maine State Chamber is proud to honor these four brothers whose dedication to Maine and to Maine people runs deep. When it comes to leadership and commitment to family and community, each of the brothers was a role model.

Thank you to all who contributed articles within the pages of this magazine, and special thanks to Lynn Cianchette and many other members of the Cianchette family for sharing so much of their family history and so many personal stories.

To our readers — we are excited to share these memories with you. We have learned so much about Carl, Kenneth, Bud, and Chuck Cianchette. They lived large lives and leave behind equally large legacies that live on in the important lessons they shared. We hope you enjoy reminiscing and learning more about these notable Maine figures and their legacy.

“The Voice of Maine Business” ADVOCACY

We have the most respected advocacy presence of any business association in Maine. No other association covers as many issues with broad public policy implications as the Chamber. Covering workers’ compensation, health care, energy, tax policy, education, workforce development, environmental policy, and more, our team of advocates is the largest in the Statehouse.

ACCESS

AWARENESS

Through our various networking events, our more than 5,000 member businesses and their employees have numerous opportunities to share best practices and create solid business contacts each year. Our policy-oriented events also give members the opportunity to interact with issue experts, opinion leaders, and policy makers in a meaningful way.

Whether it’s our Impact newsletter, “The Bottom Line” podcast, or our many other Newsroom resources including Daily Business Headlines emailed every workday morning, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce makes it easy for members to stay current on all of the important issues that impact Maine businesses and our state’s economy.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Someone has to speak up for Maine businesses. That’s where we come in. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is here, because you have a business to run, product to produce, service to provide, people to employ, and a community to support. You cannot do all those things and make sure the Legislature in Augusta is acting in your best interests. We’re here to influence the outcomes in the Legislature, as well as provide you with information, programs, and events that are a real return on investment of your membership dues. We are taking care of business in Augusta, so that you can take care of yours.

128 State Street, Suite 101 Augusta, ME 04330-5630 (207) 623-4568 mainechamber.org O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

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CONTENTS

Contents .A MESSAGE FROM CHAMBER LEADERSHIP...........................2

Remembering the Cianchettes and Their Lasting Mark on Maine A Message from Governor Janet T. Mills.................................................. 38

.FEATURE STORIES

Building a Lasting Legacy A Message from Philip E. Harriman..........................................................48

Above All Else

By Sheila D. Grant.....................................................................................40 Building a Company, and a Culture, to Last

By Sheila D. Grant..................................................................................... 54

.FROM THE DESKS OF ...

The Profound Generosity of the Cianchette Brothers A Message from U.S. Senator Susan Collins..............................................18 Dedication to Public Service A Message from U.S. Senator Angus King................................................ 32

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Maine State Chamber of Commerce

.PERSPECTIVES A Better Life

By Michael Cianchette............................................................................. 22 In Their Words

By Lynn Cianchette.................................................................................. 26 MCI and the Cianchettes

By Tom Bertrand, MCI............................................................................... 34 A Lifelong Partnership

By Kelly Flagg, AGC Maine........................................................................ 50

PHOTO: COURTESY DAVE DOSTIE

Us & Company

By Sheila D. Grant....................................................................................... 6

OneVoice Maine is a publication of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce

CO-EDITORS

Patrick Woodcock President & CEO Linda Caprara Vice President of Advocacy DEPUTY EDITORS

Jen Webber Communications Mark Ellis Director of Operations ADVERTISING, CONTENT REVIEW & FINANCE

Melody Rousseau Advertising & Sponsorship Manager Angela Ouellette Executive Assistant to the President Simon West Director of Finance and Human Resources Kattie Peaslee Financial Administrator Ashley Luszczki Government Relations Specialist DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Sage Solutions

Cover Photo: Sunset behind two Cianbro projects — the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and the Piscataqua River Bridge — both spanning the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. iStockphoto.com / Mountinez Cover Inset Photo: Carl, Chuck, Ken, and Bud Cianchette, 1972. Photo courtesy Lynn Cianchette Photos were provided with permission from the subject of each profile, story, or article.

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y THIS PHOTO: Ralph and Edna Cianchette and family in 1942.

In the back row are Ival (Bud), Ken, Clair, Norris and Carl and in the front row are Ralph, Alton (Chuck), Marilyn, and Edna.

OPPOSITE TOP: Ralph and Edna Cianchette 6

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Us & Co

O B E T T E R U N D E R S TA N D the success of the Cianchette brothers, one need only look at their equally impressive parents, Raphael Cianchette (March 25, 1895–December 30, 1972) and Edna Maud Steen Cianchette (July 19, 1895–September 9, 1991).

The family speaks to this day of how Raphael Cianchette, 11 years old and with 12 cents in his pocket, made his way from Italy to Boston in 1906. His father, Dominick Cianchette, was helping to build railroads in northern Maine. Passage

Story by Sheila D. Grant

was known, to sail to America and join the crew as a water boy.

The late Ann McGowan detailed that harrowing journey and much of the family’s history in her book, “Cianbro: The First 50 Years.” Due to PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

mpany

had been sent for young Ralph, as he eventually

the poor communications in rural Maine, Ralph’s father did not arrive in time to meet the ship. The boy, who did not speak English, spent a few days in an unpleasant holding room in a detention house before Dominick was able to retrieve his son.

Ralph and his father were part of a crew that was later moved to Pittsfield, Maine, where the O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

family settled. The boy attended school; once he mastered English, Ralph refused to speak Italian with anyone other than his parents. He officially became an American in 1919.

Ever the independent thinker, Ralph bucked tradition by choosing his own bride, who was neither Italian nor Catholic.

Edna, who grew up in Wellington, Maine, had seen her share of hardships as a child, as well. Her father died when she was only 8 years old, leaving her mother with six children to raise. By 1908, when Edna was TOP: Ralph, second from left, at the ribbon cutting for an Oxford, Maine bridge he constructed in the mid-1930s.

13, she had to leave school and support herself. She was working in a woolen mill in Clinton when she met Ralph.

Ralph and Edna raised six sons and a

ABOVE LEFT: Ralph’s father, Dominick Cianchette

daughter: Carl, Norris, Clair, Kenneth, Ival

ABOVE RIGHT: Ralph’s mother, Concetta Cianchette

between August, 1919 and May, 1930.

RIGHT: Bud tends to the 500 baby chicks he and Ken bought from Sears and Roebuck to raise and sell.

(Bud), Marilyn and Alton (Chuck), all born McGowan writes that the couple was strict in moral matters, but gave the children a great deal of freedom in other reThis gave the Cianchette kids the courage to take risks, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes ­— skills that would play heavily into their later successes.

By the time most of the children were in school, the family had moved to South Main Street in Pittsfield, adjacent to the

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Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

gards. They never resorted to punishment.

Maine Central Institute (MCI) campus. The home was later acquired by MCI, used for faculty housing until 1993, when, as a tribute to the family for years of support to MCI, it was restored in memory of Ralph and Edna and renamed the Cianchette Alumni and Development Center.

Both Ralph and Edna had positive attitudes and entrepreneurial spirits. Edna sometimes operated a grocery store out of the woodshed and made donuts for the kids to sell around the neighborhood. Once old enough, the Cianchette children were all encouraged to work. All of the Cianchette boys had newspaper routes.

When he was 10, Bud brought in so many new customers that he won a trip to Washington, D.C. from the Portland-based newspapers that sponsored the contest. Chuck was only 7 when the newspaper route fell

so, he had returned to the construction business, this

to him. Finding the Sunday papers, with their extra sec-

time building bridges, rather than railroads.

tions, too heavy to carry from one end of Pittsfield to

The family struggled during the Great Depression

the other, Chuck enlisted the help of the family donkey,

years, but after that, Ralph was hired to do a state con-

Mintoes, and of his mother, who fashioned saddlebags

struction job, and to build bridges in several towns. By

out of old newspaper sacks.

1938, he was able to pay off the mortgage on their home.

Ken and Bud cooked up several business ventures

His contracting business grew, and as the Cianchette

as kids, including hot dog stands, candy bar sales, grow-

boys grew old enough, they went to work for their fa-

ing corn and raising broilers for market.

ther, learning how to build bridges and roads.

Ralph ran several side businesses: splitting fire-

Ralph referred to his family as “Us and Company,”

wood, selling automobiles, selling fuel oil. By 1930 or

instilling in his offspring that if they all worked together, everything would turn out alright

Once old enough, the Cianchette children were all encouraged to work. All of the Cianchette boys had newspaper routes.

— another principle that fed into later successes. The family history includes countless examples of one or more brothers jumping in to help the others

ABOVE: Ralph constructing the Wesserunsett Bridge on US Route 2 in Skowhegan, 1942.

BELOW: The house on South Main Street in Pittsfield where the Cianchette family was raised.

Today it serves as the Maine Central Institute’s (MCI’s) Cianchette Alumni and Development Center.

during times of need.

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Ken loaned his brother $5,000 and Bud loaned Carl $500. With that, his experience and his father’s advice, Carl was on his way.

L E A D E R S O F I N D U S T R Y, B U T A L S O AT H O M E A N D B E Y O N D The first year, Carl E. Cianchette Contractor saw annual revenues of $46,000. In 2024, Cianbro will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The company’s revenues now exceed $1.2 billion annually.

While the late Cianchette brothers, Carl, Kenneth, Bud and Chuck, were indeed fearless businessmen, incredibly hard workers and the founding fathers of Cianbro, they were so much more.

For a time, during WWII, the Cianchette brothers were pulled in many directions. Norris enlisted in the U.S. Army in October, 1942, serving in Italy. Clair was drafted into the Army in January, 1943, serving in France and Germany.

ABOVE: Bud, Ken, Clair, Norris and Carl at home in their military uniforms, 1946.

RIGHT: Carl decides to start Carl E. Cianchette Contractor in 1946.

BELOW: Carl E. Cianchette Contractor’s second project at Hodgkin’s Mill in Pittsfield, 1946.

Ken was drafted into the Army in March, 1943, serving in England and France. Carl joined the Merchant Marines in March, 1943, and carried war supplies to Europe.

Bud was drafted into the Army in September, 1944, serving in Germany.

Despite grueling work schedules and

The war meant no state road con-

business concerns, the brothers are re-

tracts for Ralph, and a scarcity of equip-

membered as wonderful family men with

ment and gasoline. He was also experi-

varied personal interests and a deep

encing health issues, McGowan wrote.

sense of civic and community service.

Ralph gave up construction, working

“I think probably one of the unher-

part-time as a Somerset County deputy

alded influences that the Cianchette

sheriff for a few years, sometimes paying

brothers have had on our state is they

fines for folks rather than jailing them.

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joining the Merchant Marines. There was

their money to support charitable orga-

came home from the war. It was short-

some equipment left over from his fa-

nizations,” said Phil Harriman, who has

ly after that when Carl decided to start

ther’s construction business: a two-bag

been Cianbro’s and many Cianchette

his own construction business. He had

cement mixer, some wheelbarrows and a

family members’ business succession

worked for his father, and for another

six-inch pump.

and estate planning advisor for almost 35

relative that ran a contractor business

Already married and with children,

before the war, including work on Dow

Carl didn’t save as much cash during

“I think of the Boy Scouts, the his-

Field in Bangor, where Carl was promot-

the war as his single brothers. To help

torical society in Pittsfield and many,

ed to assistant superintendent before

launch Carl E. Cianchette Contractor,

many others that they would, even in

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

years.

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

were very generous with their time and

By some miracle, all five brothers

Proud to partner with The Jackson Laboratory to create childcare capacity for its Maine employees and the greater Bar Harbor/MDI community.

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Carl served as a state representative in 1955-56, and was a state senator in 1969-70. He also served on the Governor’s Executive Council for Governor John Reid in 1965-66 and for Governor James Longley in 1975-76.

“Carl chaired Maine’s last executive council that was abolished in 1976; regretting that the duties of the Council were reassigned to the legislature, rather than abolishing the duties which would have strengthened the governor’s power,” Lynn said.

Carl was also a co-founder of the Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. “He felt the people in the Pittsfield area deserved a local hospital. He stayed involved with the hospital for many years, including fundraising for renovations and an expansion,” Lynn said.

Carl’s other professional, civic and community involvement included serving as a trustee of the Maine Maritime Academy; as the first president of the Pittsfield Jaycees; and as a member of the Pittsfield Kiwanis Club, the Pittsfield Masonic Lodge, St. Omer Commanderie, and the Anah Temple Shrine.

Despite the fact that Carl left MCI months shy of graduation, opting to go to work instead, he also organized Florida reunions for MCI alumni.

Kenneth Cianchette (September 28, 1924–February 7, 2023) was an innovator, among other things.

“He was rated a mechanical genius in the Army aptitude tests, and he truly was a mechanical genius,” said Ann Cianchette, one of Ken’s five children. most stressful times running their business, they made

ABOVE: Carl, Maureen, Brian, time to give back,” Phil said. “They didn’t do it for recand Janice in front ognition or ego gratification. It was just their way of of the Cianchette paying it forward to create opportunities for others to family house. do as well as they were able to.”

BELOW: Kenneth All four brothers were involved in the Associated L. Cianchette, the General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine). Carl was innovator and thinker. first vice president; Ken was president; Bud was pres-

son, Michael Cianchette, who added that his grandfather enjoyed inventing things that would not only make things better, but also create better processes for do-

ident [and also of AGC America]; and Chuck served on AGC committees.

“They all believed that being involved, engagement in the community, and the ability to make things better requires people working together, and for them that was a big part of AGC,” said Michael Cianchette, Ken’s grandson.

Carl Cianchette (August 27, 1919–April 14, 1997) “was a good guy. He had strong feelings for people. He was always fair to everyone,” said his niece, Lynn Cianchette, one of Chuck Cianchette’s four children. “Carl was involved in town and state politics, serving as a town councilman, moderator for town meetings, a state representative, state senator, state chairman of the Maine Democratic Party, and the key organizer of Edmund Muskie’s campaigns, including his 1954 gubernatorial campaign.”

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a brain and you’re intended to use it’” said Ken’s grand-

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

OPPOSITE: Us and Company at a Maine Good Roads meeting.

On the left side of the table are Ken, Norris, Ralph, Bud and Clair. On the right side are Carl and Chuck. Early 1960s.

“The biggest thing I learned from him is ‘You have

“ They didn’t do it for recognition or ego gratification. It was just their way of paying it forward to create opportunities for others to do as well as they were able to.” — P H I L H A R R I M A N ing things. In the 1970s, for example, Ken

“LURC did those things, but he had a

into a first-class playing surface for MCI,”

designed, and with the help of several

more skeptical view of the organization’s

Michael said. “Another thing he did that

other people, built a giant tractor-driv-

charge,” Michael said, sharing the exam-

others probably don’t know is that he and

en, tractor-sized peat vacuum cleaner

ple of an elderly first-generation immi-

my father — and I was in high school so

to harvest the bogs of Downeast Maine.

grant who spent his life savings to build a

I was free labor — did something similar

“Again, he was trying to find a better way

cabin in Unity only to have officials in Au-

with Cheverus High School in Portland.

to do things because at that time a lot of

gusta say that he must tear down the cab-

My grandfather was an alum of MCI and

harvesting of peat was done much more

in and cut down the trees he had planted.

loved MCI deeply, but, with his grand-

manually with saws, shovels and forks.

“My grandfather went to Augusta

children attending different schools, to

“My grandfather and a few other

and raised Hell, and figured out what

the extent that other schools had similar

town fathers in Pittsfield built the first

was going on,” Michael said. The man

needs, he wasn’t shy to step forward and

rope tow at Pinnacle (Ski Club),” Michael

had simply failed to file a piece of pa-

help there, as well.”

said. “They effectively created a ski club

per with LURC. The issue was resolved

Ann remembers the MCI football

and a ski hill from nothing, which led to

without any demolition. “My grandfather

field project, as well, though differently.

a lot of success for MCI ski teams. They

always used that story as an example to

“In spring, 1990, he was diagnosed

made a lot of good skiers out of an old

look at bringing common sense to some

with colon cancer, and in June under-

engine and a rope tow!”

of these challenges. He would not have

went surgery,” Ann said. “He then start-

a lot of patience for people who wield

ed a year of chemotherapy. During that

process for illogical outcomes.”

summer of chemo, at age 65, he worked

Ken served as Commissioner of the Land Use Regulation Commission, charged with formulating a comprehensive plan for Maine’s unorganized territories.

Ken was the clerk of the works when

tirelessly on heavy equipment to turn

MCI built its football field. “He made it

a practice field behind MCI into a real O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Ken built a replica of the Fokker DR-1 in the 1970’s. As a founding trustee of the Owls Head Transportation Museum, Ken donated the airplane to the museum, where it can be seen today. A museum volunteer recently said, “Ken is the only pilot I have seen fly an airplane backwards. He would put it into a stall, and as the plane slipped backwards, Ken had full control and was actually flying it.”

— LY N N C I A N C H E T T E

BELOW: Bud’s fun was his sulky horses.

football field — they had always played games in Man-

“They had some lean years! But men like my father

son Park instead of on campus. He built it, graded it and

made sure the salaries were paid, even when the col-

finished it in time for their first home game at the end

lege didn’t have the money,” she said. “Unity is about 15

of August. He had some help, for sure, but let’s just say

miles from Pittsfield, and we had a camp there where we

that he was a perfectionist when it came to grading and

lived all summer long starting in 1962.”

I expect he did 99 percent of that himself! That was a

Ken also loved antique airplanes and flying. Ken and

tough summer, but he was determined to get it done on

his friend Hap Mathews built “the Fokker DR-1 Triplane

time, as is the Cianbro motto! I remember him standing

— like the Red Baron’s plane — that presently belongs

on the sidelines watching with tears in his eyes as Carl’s

to the Owls Head Transportation Museum,” Michael

grandson, Aaron Cianchette, scored a touchdown. He

recalled. “As he was wont to do, he improved on the

was so proud and so happy to be a part of anything to

design with a different engine that made it much easier

do with his alma mater.”

to handle.”

Education was important to Ken. Ann said that her father served on the first board of trustees at Unity College, and continued to serve for many years.

“I believe he built it around 1975,” Ann added. “I was in the 8th grade when he finished it.”

Ken also enjoyed aerial acrobatics when he flew the triplane at Owls Head. “When I was 12, I was up there when he was flying it,” Michael remembered. “By that time something with insurance had triggered, so under the Owls Head policy he was not allowed to do acrobatics. So, he would do his loops, hammerheads and inversions and the announcer, who was a friend, would say ‘Here’s the Red Baron flying straight and level, making no maneuvers whatsoever, in accordance with our Ann said that her father flew at Owls Head air shows for over 35 years, as well as serving on their board of trustees for many years. “I have videos of him doing loops and tricks in 2008 when I took my kids to see a show,” she said.

Ival “Bud” Cianchette (July 19, 1926–November 5, 2009), served with many professional, civic and communi-

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Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

insurance policy.’”

ty organizations, including as Chairman of

pressed at how he could manage to be

Pine Tree Council of Boy Scouts of

the Sebasticook Valley Hospital Executive

focused on so many different things at

America and of the Northeast Region of

Committee; on the Boy Scouts of America

one time. He had three buckets: family,

Boy Scouts of America, the national ex-

Pine Tree Council Advisory Committee; as

Cianbro and his involvement either with

ecutive board of directors of Boy Scouts

Director of the Portland Cement Associa-

his horses or community/civic type or-

of America and as a member of the na-

tion; Chairman, Maine Chapter Newcomen

ganizations,” said Peter Cianchette, one

tional advisory board of Boy Scouts of

Society of the U.S.; and as Director of the

of Bud’s five children. “With everything

America.

Maine Chamber of Commerce and Indus-

— and everyone — he was involved with,

He served four terms in the Maine

try, which is now the Maine State Chamber

he made that seem effortless, and it had

State Senate, from 1973 to 1977 and again

of Commerce.

his undivided attention. My dad, with all

Bud also had a love of horses and

he had going on when we were growing

horse racing. He served on the Maine Har-

up, somehow had the ability to make us

ness Racing Commission, and while chair-

feel like we were the only person who

man, developed the Maine Standardbred

mattered, and I know he did it with my

Breeder’s Stake Program. He was a presi-

siblings equally.

dent and director of the Maine Standard-

“He had focus, discipline and he

bred Breeder’s and Owner’s Association,

didn’t sleep very much,” Peter said,

the U.S. Trotting Association, Lewiston

laughing. “He had boundless energy.

Raceways and the Bangor Historic Track.

I just don’t know where he found the

Bud

owned

Cianchette

Stables,

where he raised and trained hundreds of

stamina to be involved in so many things all at one time.”

Standardbred horses that went on to race

Alton “Chuck” Cianchette (May 18,

on tracks from Maine to Florida for nearly

1930–January 18, 2000) was the youngest

50 years.

of Ralph and Edna’s offspring.

“Even at a young age I was always im-

Chuck served as president of the

ABOVE: Bud Cianchette introduces President Ronald Reagan at the annual AGC convention in Washington D.C., 1981.

Pierce Atwood congratulates the Cianchette brothers on being recognized by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to Maine’s economy and infrastructure.

254 COMMERCIAL STREET | MERRILL’S WHARF | PORTLAND, ME 04101 | 207.791.1100 | PIERCEATWOOD.COM

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

cystic fibrosis and died at 11,” Lynn said.

“A group of men got together and wanted to do something in her honor, so they came up with the Susan Curtis Foundation, a summer camp. Their purpose was to provide a summer camp for children who it might make a difference in their lives, be life-changing for them, especially hardship families. The camp would have a lot of outdoor activities but the campers would also learn and bond.

That camp still exists today. Many children have gone through, several with life-changing experiences. That was important to my dad. That camp was a special place for him.”

Lynn said she had no idea how her father ever found the time to pursue his many interests.

ABOVE: Chuck with his helicopter in the late 1970s and early 80s; it allowed him to easily visit job sites in multiple states.

“The flying came about when Ken came back from the service and used

would talk to people with a true interest

“That got my father’s interest in it. They

to the Maine Ambassadors Program by

and a true concern about people, about

started out in small planes and found out

Governor Angus King. Chuck was also

what their families were doing, how

it was an easy way to get around to job

appointed chairman of the Maine Indian

things were going for them,” Lynn said.

sites, because the company was expand-

Tribal-State Commission.

“If he was at a gathering, he would often

ing into areas further from Pittsfield.

“He wasn’t a person to come home

start a conversation by asking, ‘Is every-

Then they got into antique aircrafts. My

and talk about himself and what he

one happy?’ And he always wrapped up

father had several Staggerwings, a Tiger

was doing,” his daughter Lynn recalled.

with, ‘And what can I do to help?’ and

Moth – this was their fun, to go up and

“When he came home it was about how

he seriously meant that. I have had sev-

fly the open-cockpit airplanes.”

our day was, what our thoughts were —

eral people tell me over the years, ‘I got

Three of Chuck’s airplanes are in the

it was all about us. When he ran for the

up Saturday morning, looked out the

Beechcraft Heritage Museum [formerly

State Senate for a second time in the

window and there’s Chuck with a dump

the Staggerwing Museum Foundation] in

90s, he went back because at that point

truck, trailer and loader-hoe, and he

Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he served

there was such division in the legislature

was there to help, because I had men-

on the board of trustees. He also served

between the Republicans and the Dem-

tioned to him that I was working on

as president of the Maine Pilot’s Associ-

ocrats that nothing was getting accom-

something.’ He would show up and help

ation in 1976, and was a member of the

plished. He was one who didn’t sit back

them get their project done. Another

President’s Council of Experimental Air-

and complain. If he was interested in it,

thing he did was, as a pilot, if you had a

craft Association in Oshkosh, WI.

he would help make that change.”

family member or yourself that needed

“My dad and my uncles were big men

Chuck’s other professional, civic and

to get to a hospital out of state, proba-

who built a big company, but they were

community service included serving as

bly in Boston, he would say, ‘Meet me at

so much more than that,” Ann added.

president of the Maine Good Roads As-

the airport in an hour,’ and he would fly

“They had big families, and big lives and

sociation; president of the MCI Board of

them, or if they had a parent in Florida

big hearts. They generously and enthusi-

Trustees; and as a member of Anah Tem-

who needed to come home, he would

astically shared their time, their talents,

ple Shrine.

fly them to the Pittsfield airport.”

their wisdom and their resources with

At Cianbro, and beyond, Chuck was known as the people person.

16

Chuck was also instrumental in the founding of Camp Susan Curtis.

“My father would walk around

“Governor Ken Curtis and his wife,

the office, around the projects and he

Polly, had a daughter, Susan, who had

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

their towns, their state, their country and the people and organizations that they believed in. That’s the real legacy — a legacy of doing for others.”

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

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F R O M T H E D E S K O F. . .

The Profound

Generosity

of the Cianchette

Brothers T H E R E A R E M A N Y W AY S to describe the

Cianchette brothers – Ken, Carl, Bud, and Chuck. One way is to reflect upon the Parable of the Talents from the New Testament.

The story is a familiar one. Three servants have been entrusted with portions of their master’s treasure. One, fearing failure and lacking initiative, hides his portion away and does nothing to increase it. He is scorned.

The other two invest their portions.

Through hard work, determination, and imagination, they multiply the treasure and return much more than they were given. They receive praise and greater trust.

The four brothers were such servants.

They were blessed with many gifts that they used to benefit others. They always gave back much more than they were given.

Today, Cianbro, the great company they founded in 1949 and its affiliated companies, provide opportunity and prosperity to more than 4,000 employees throughout the United States and is one of the most respected construction firms in the nation. From the very start, Cianbro has emphasized a strong employee-management relationship and is now the fourth-largest 100-percent employee-owned construction company in the United States.

Through their success in business, the brothers invested their portions in doing good for others with extraordinary contributions to public service and philanthropy. From 18

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

the Boy Scouts and youth sports, to education – including generous support for Maine Central Institute in their beloved hometown of Pittsfield, Maine Maritime Academy, and Unity College – to health care, the arts, and outdoor recreation, there is hardly an aspect of life in our State that has not benefitted from their commitment to serve.

For the sake of those not fortunate enough to have known these remarkable individuals, perhaps a note of clarification is in order. Bud’s given name was Ival. Chuck was christened Alton. Kenneth was sometimes called Lunk. Apparently, Carl was elsewhere the day the family handed out nicknames.

To fully understand the drive that motivated the brothers, we must go back to 1906, when an unaccompanied 11-year-old boy named Raphael Cianchette left the poverty and political turmoil of Italy to seek a better life in America. He made his way to Aroostook County, where he joined his father, Dominick, in the backbreaking labor of carving a railroad line through the North Woods, from Presque Isle to Ashland.

That job done, the two than relocated to a small farm Dominick bought in Pittsfield to work on a dam project. There, Ralph, as he then called himself, mastered English and walked to school every day, a round trip of eight miles.

Grown to manhood, Ralph met and fell in love with Edna Steen, a hard-working

young woman who had experienced great hardships in her life. Although a marriage between an Italian Catholic and a Baptist Scot was unusual in those days, they followed their hearts and were blessed with seven children, including the four brothers, all of whom inherited their parents’ independent spirits, work ethic, and devotion to family.

In the mid-1930s, Ralph started his own bridge construction company in Pittsfield, and his sons joined his workforce as soon as they reached age 15. The business grew slowly but steadily until the start of World War II, when his entire crew, including his sons, were called to military service. Ralph was forced to close up shop.

After the war, the oldest of the brothers, Carl, decided to revive the business, starting with one cement mixer, a few wheelbarrows, and an Army surplus trailer and a Jeep. Ken, Bud, and Chuck soon joined the company and established Cianchette Brothers, Inc. Among the qualities they brought to their new enterprise was a deep respect for the men and women who do the challenging work of building things. In addition to being a national leader in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan movement, Cianbro offers tuition reimbursement to employees pursuing their higher-education goals. The Cianbro Institute in Pittsfield provides a wide range of opportunities for career advancement, and the company’s robust apprenticeship programs

PHOTO: COURTESY SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS

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F R O M T H E D E S K O F. . .

The Cianchette Brothers in 1972.

help to create the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Each of the brothers had his own individual interests, from vegetable gardening to aviation, but they shared a commitment to public service. Carl served in the Maine Legislature, both House and Senate, and on the Executive Council under Governors Reid and Longley. Chuck served four terms in the Maine Senate and later as Chairman of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. When Ken, the mechanical genius of the family, wasn’t inventing innovative heavy construction equipment – including the legendary “Martian Bigfoot” peat moss harvester – he served on a host of local government boards in Pittsfield, the state’s Land Use Regulatory Commission, and the Maine Department of Commerce and Industry Advisory Council. In addition to serving as Director of the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bud turned his passion for horse rac20

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

ing into a true public benefit – as Chairman of the Maine Harness Racing Commission, he helped preserve an important part of our State’s heritage and rural economy.

There are so many ways the Cianchette brothers and the company they founded and led have contributed to our State and our nation. To me, two examples stand out.

One occurred in 2008, when Cianbro revitalized a closed paper mill in Brewer as the home of Eastern Manufacturing, a stateof-the art facility to fabricate and assemble modular industrial structures. When Cianbro announced its plans for this transformational project, a local newspaper published a photograph of a business owner across the street from the mill leaping into the air in joy.

That feeling was shared by people throughout the region. Among the projects currently underway at the Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility is the construction of modular dry-dock components for the Portsmouth

Naval Shipyard.

Although Bud, Chuck, and Carl had passed away before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, and Ken was no longer active in the company, the ethic they instilled of stepping up when there is a need to be met was evident in Cianbro’s response to the crisis. With health care facilities throughout the country struggling to acquire the swabs that were essential to coronavirus testing, Cianbro teamed up with Puritan Medical Products and Bath Iron Works to convert a building it owned in Pittsfield in record time into a manufacturing facility for the vital equipment. That is the legacy of the Cianchette brothers.

Ken, the last of the four, passed away early this year at the age of 98. Although the brothers are no longer with us, the way they lived their lives and the contributions they made will always be an inspiration. Echoing the master in Parable, we say in their memory, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Honoring the Cianchette Brothers We join the Maine State Chamber of Commerce in honoring the Cianchette Brothers, whose commitment and contributions to their customers, their employees and the State of Maine is unsurpassed.

We also want to express our deep gratitude for having had the privilege, honor, and enjoyment of representing the Chamber in significant matters.

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PERSPECTIVES 22

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

A BETTER LIFE WHY WOULD AN 11-YEAR-OLD LEAVE HOME BY HIMSELF TO CROSS AN OCEAN? SIMPLE. TO TRY AND FIND A BETTER LIFE. ONCE YOU FIND IT, IT BECOMES YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OTHERS AROUND YOU. Story by Michael Cianchette H E N R A P H A E L C I A N C H E T T E left Abruzzi, an

type of status or recognition as “veterans.” Their

Italian province in the mountains to the east

motivation was much simpler. Military service

of Rome, he followed a path worn by other

was a job that needed doing.

immigrants before him, including his father.

On the home front, their father Ralph

There was no real opportunity left in the village

stepped forward as well to serve as a deputy

of Pettorano sul Gizio. There was in America.

Somerset County sheriff. It was a job that need-

After working for some time in the north

ed doing. Yet, when Deputy Cianchette found a

of Maine, Raphael settled — with his father — in

scofflaw who owed an unpaid fine and had a war-

Pittsfield. Americanizing his name, Ralph built a

rant issued, he didn’t always cart them off to jail.

life, married Edna Steen, and started a remark-

Oftentimes he would loan the person the money they needed to square up, rather than

Together, they taught their children to take care of those around them. That includes their neighbors, their state, and their country.

As the Cianchette brothers were coming of age, the world was engulfed in war. They did

locking them up.

As the Cianchette brothers began their post-war lives, building a company and families were major focuses. However, giving back was never far from their minds.

Carl served on the Pittsfield Town Council,

their part. Norris raised his hand, enlisting in the LEFT: Ralph and Army in late 1942. Kenneth and Clair both had Edna’s 25th anniversary, 1943. their draft numbers pulled in early 1943.

in the Maine Legislature and chaired the last Ex-

Carl, the oldest with a family at home,

helped found Sebasticook Valley Hospital and

volunteered to serve in the Merchant Ma-

ecutive Council. He moderated town meetings, was a Trustee of Maine Maritime.

rine. And Bud was mustered into the

Kenneth held nearly every elected and ap-

Army shortly after graduating high

pointed role in Pittsfield and served on Maine’s

school when the selective service

Land Use Regulation Commission. He was

chose him. Several years later,

among the founders of both Unity College and

Chuck was drafted into the

Owls Head Transportation Museum and put his

Army during the Korean War.

hands to work building fields for Maine Central

Military service was im-

Institute and Cheverus High School alike.

portant to the brothers. Not

Keeping with tradition, Bud held numerous

because they desired some

state and national roles advancing the historic

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

able family.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

23

PERSPECTIVES

sport of harness racing.

the board of Maine Maritime Academy. A number of de-

Norris led the Pittsfield

scendants have served in Pittsfield’s elected offices.

in

TOP: Four generations - Michael, Ken, Luke and Eric in 2016.

ABOVE: Luke, Michael, Ken and Eric on Father’s Day 2020.

Bud’s grandson Alex Koch was a student leader at

numerous

charitable

Unity College, one of Ken’s passion projects. He has

organizations,

including

also moderated Unity town meetings. Ken’s grandson

the Kiwanis, Lions, Ma-

Sean Cianchette worked on helicopters as a Marine,

sons, and Shriners. Clair —

while, today, Sean’s sister Erin is presently deployed to

known as “Bull” — served

Iraq with the U.S. Army.

in the Legislature as well.

The essence of service — particularly in public and

Finally, Chuck spent

charitable efforts — is giving. Fundraising is often the

eight years in the Maine Senate and chaired the Maine

most visible aspect yet is only a small part of the story.

Indian Tribal-State Commission. He was president of

The most finite resource any of us have is also the most

both Maine Central Institute and the Boy Scout’s Pine

valuable; it is our time.

Tree Council.

With all of the brothers now gone, that hits home

All the brothers were active with Maine profes-

harder. Spending an evening at a town council meeting

sional organizations, most notably the Associated

or flying off to help restore our nation’s infrastructure

General Contractors. Bud and Ken each served as

means missing something else.

president, while Norris, Carl, and Chuck all held other

Yet, as I’ve been told, Chuck was known to encour-

key leadership roles. Bud was elected president of the

age people to give until you can feel it. There is some-

national organization.

thing about personal sacrifice in the service of some-

None of them sought these roles for recognition

thing greater that strengthens your own moral fiber.

or accolades. They were simply jobs that needed doing

Like working out in the gym, if you aren’t a little sore at

and the brothers stepped forward to do them.

the end of it, you should push a little harder.

That is the example they set for those who would follow in their footsteps, their family very much included.

Several family members have stepped into the

If your giving is easy and has no impact whatsoever on your own life, it probably shouldn’t count as service.

It is merely sharing largesse.

same positions as the elder generation. Chuck’s son

24

Charlie served as AGC Maine President and as a trustee

T U R N I N G T O W A R D S T H E F U T U R E , the brothers’ exam-

of Sebasticook Valley Hospital. Bud’s son Earle chaired

ple should remain a lodestar for those of us — family

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

Jaycees and was active

and others — charged with keeping their memory alive.

The ethic of giving was built into the DNA of Cianbro. The company and its team give time, talent, and treasure to countless worthy causes.

Bud’s son Peter stepped forward to serve in the Maine Legislature. Then, he was asked by the President to do a job that needed doing. He accepted and was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Costa Rica.

Norris’

granddaughter

Erin

Zeli

served in leadership positions with the Maine Green Party.

Andrea, Chuck’s daughter, helped create the FocusMaine initiative to foster future economic opportunity throughout the state.

There are myriad other examples.

The shoots and branches of the family tree contain stories all their own, with dedication to community, state, and country filling each leaf. There are many

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who learned from the Cianchette brothers first-hand and sought to emulate their example in their own lives.

Attempting to tell all those stories is nigh impossible, because one of the greatest things about serving your community, your state, or your nation is the impact it

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has on others. The chain reaction that follows from helping to make things better means the story is never finished.

While the brothers may have passed on, their legacy is far from its end. If we continue to find ways to serve — ways to do jobs that need doing — then their memory will live on and lead to a better world around us.

It is a challenge. But they have shown us how to do it. Now it is our turn to take up the task.

Not a bad result from an 11-year-old crossing the ocean.

Editor’s Note: The author of this piece— Ken’s grandson—neglected to include examples of his own service, including as Vice Chair of the Maine Turnpike Authority and a Navy Reserve officer who served in Afghanistan.

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PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

PERSPECTIVES

In Their Words…

TOP: The brothers share a moment together at a family reunion in 1994.

RIGHT: Author Lynn Cianchette’s last photo with her dad, 1999.

IN MARCH 1996, BILL CHINNOCK AND LYNN CIANCHETTE SPENT TWO HOURS WITH KEN, BUD, AND CHUCK REFLECTING ON THEIR LIVES. IN SUMMARY, THESE WERE THEIR WORDS.

By Lynn Cianchette

26

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

E T H I C S O F T H E C O MPA NY Carl had a strong sense of fairness, strong feelings for people and wanted to be fair with everyone.

Ken was the innovator, the creator. He also insisted that people be treated right. He always asked, “are you being fair to the people?” Everybody working for the company is important, their feelings are important, their ideas are important; they are part of the family.

Ken insisted that the policies we adopted did not in any way separate the workforce and the managers.

Bud’s major contribution to the company was paying attention to the details and to strive for excellence; we can do it better. He developed and worked at protecting the company image. The equipment was to be clean and uniform (Cianbro blue and grey), the company stationery needed the correct Cianbro blue and correct fonts. Contracts had to be written right, they could not be agreeing to things they did not mean.

Chuck dealt with the people on the projects, keeping the team happy using the philosophies of Carl (fairness), Ken (us and innovation) and Bud (the details and strive for excellence).

THE BROTHER’S CONCERN WAS TO BUILD A TEAM; NEVER TO BE “WE” AND “THEY,” IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE “US.” S H A R I NG T H E P R O F I T S From the very beginning, we shared the company profits with the employees. We started by giving Christmas bonuses the first year. By 1964 we started a profit-sharing plan for those employees with 10 years or more of service.

We were searching for a way to share the profits with the people that made this company successful.

VALU E S | T HE BASI C P R I NC I P LE S OUR PARENTS TAU G HT U S

The tax laws were changed and in 1979 we implemented

“Be damn careful what you say you will do, but once you

with an ESOP.

say you will do something, you do it. You are never any

an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Cianbro was one of the first construction companies in the country

better than your word.” — Father

WO R KI NG TO G E T H E R

“Always give back more than you take.” — Mother She

get along and work together. We would discuss a subject

never put up with anything except what she considered

It is unusual for brothers in the construction business to and whoever had the strongest opinion, the other two

perfection, although we did not measure up, she tried.

would go along with it, even if they did not agree. We

THE BROTHERS GUIDING LIGHT TREAT PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. TREAT THEM AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED. NO ONE IN THIS ROOM IS SMARTER THAN ALL OF US.

Chuck ran the work. We were not perfect, we made our

split the responsibilities. Bud ran the administrative side. mistakes, and we accepted that. That attitude has permeated in the company; we allow people to make mistakes, and encourage it. We expect them to be innovative, exO N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

27

PERSPECTIVES

pect them to be creative, expect they will make mistakes, and, within reason, we allow that. That has built the team aspect of this company.

One thing we do not remember is anyone in this company ever getting yelled at or hollered at for being dumb or stupid, or anything like that. It is just not in our vocabulary. People are talked to and if there is a problem, we discuss it.

It is part of that dignity and respect – you don’t yell at people, you don’t call them names, you don’t criticize. If they have a weakness, you try to work with them and build it, or you put them in a place where they can use their talents. Don’t yell, don’t degrade people. We don’t allow it to happen. This has helped the team building, allowing people to express their ideas without being intimidated. A critical element of this company.

W H AT H AVE B E E N T H E B I G MI STA KE S We have made so many mistakes and we have been successful in spite of it. Admitting to making mistakes and expecting we are going to make mistakes, and we recognize the mistake and correct it. When they observed a crew standing around for a period of time analyzing and doing nothing because nobody knew the best way to do it, they would say “do something, even if it is wrong. Then maybe you will learn the right way, but don’t continue to stand TOP: Gardening was Bud’s true love, seen here with his granddaughter.

around and think about it, do it.”

MIDDLE: Chuck with a Lionheart he built with Ken’s assistance.

I F YO U C O UL D DO I T OVE R

RIGHT: Ken was very active in the Town of Pittsfield. One of his projects was the Pinnacle Ski Slope where Ken was instrumental in keeping the rope tow running. Many children in Pittsfield learned to ski because Ken and Evie made ski equipment available to all who wanted to ski.

be to have the knowledge that we have

If we could do one thing over, it would now to prevent injuries in this company.

We are very fortunate that we now have a cheerleader who has studied safeing a tremendous job at insisting safety is Number 1. It is being heard around the country. He spends a lot of time, at his own expense, promoting safety for the industry. He would like to see the entire construction industry accident free.

28

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

ty and understands it. Pete Vigue is do-

R E L AT IONS H IP S Relationship with Owners (clients) is all important. If there is trust between the Owner and the company, the work comes much easier. If you can deal in the open book concept, lay all the cards on the table, state we have to make a profit and we have to give you a product, you can build a trusting relationship over the years. The Owner knows when we say we will do something, we will do it the best that you can. We have so much repeat business because we have this relationship with many Owners. When our employees see this, and develop that same trust, the Owners also trust the employees. We have good people working for us who share our beliefs and like to work, like to be honest, and like to give a good day’s work. Over the years we have developed that team. If we have done anything right, it has been choosing the right people to represent the company. It is so important to have that relationship of trust and respect.

We have always tried to settle any dispute with an Owner without going to litigation. Many times, we walked away from what could have been a lawsuit and could have maybe made us a lot of money, but we have stayed to our business and our business was not to fight with the clients. That is the reputation we BELOW: Chuck and Helen with their grandkids

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O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

29

PERSPECTIVES

GOING FORWARD: THE COMPANY IS GETTING BIGGER AND IS GOING TO BE BIGGER THAN ANYTHING WE DID. WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE THAT WE GAVE THEM A START HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WE HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE IT GROW. TODAY THE COMPANY IS SOUND, FINANCIALLY SOUND, AND HAS A GREAT WORKFORCE. THERE IS NO REASON, WITH THE RIGHT TYPE OF MANAGEMENT AT THE TOP, THIS COMPANY CANNOT CONTINUE TO GROW AND MULTIPLY FASTER THAN IN THE PAST. IT SHOULD BE MUCH EASIER IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT IS POSITIONED AT THIS TIME.

way to do it. That makes a big difference

We are impressed with the middle-level managers and their intelligence.

in the perception of our customers.

We have some great people who are ex-

F U T U RE OF T H E C O MPAN Y

to be aggressive, and willing to make the

Cianbro is continuing to develop exper-

commitment. If that is what they believe

tise, is becoming more sophisticated,

in and what they want to do — who in the

is taking advantage of technology, and

world can beat them? They have the for-

readying itself to do more sophisti-

mula and the understanding. They can do

cated projects. We think this company

anything they want in this construction

will continue to develop its expertise

business.

cited, interested, willing to learn, willing

in more sophisticated areas — such as

WHY HAVE YO U NOT companies (the clean room concept), SOLD TH E C O MPA NY? semiconductor plants, food plants, drug

30

automation of paper mills and utilities,

We have had many opportunities to sell

and will provide opportunities for for-

or merge. We are concerned about what

ward-thinking and aggressive companies

would happen to Cianbro because we

who are creative and innovative. There

have watched too many other companies

will be a lot of opportunities to grow,

that sold and did not succeed. It would

expand, develop, and provide work for

not be fun anymore, it would not be fun

more and more people.

to watch, and it would not be fun for the

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

employees because they would not be treated in the same way.

FA MI LY One very important element we have not talked about is, one of the early decisions we made is we would not involve our wives in the business. Some may think that is chauvinistic. We all have our first wife, they are all good friends, we are all good friends, we have been successful together and are proud of our families.

We have a terrific amount of support from our wives. In the earlier years we would leave at 3:00 am Monday, maybe get home Wednesday evening then leave at 3:00 am Thursday, to return home Saturday night. Our wives ran the household, took care of the family, and offered us tremendous support so we could do what we did.

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

have in this business, and that is the best

ABOVE: The family at Bud’s installation as National AGC President in 1980.

L E SS ONS F OR T H E N E XT 50 YE AR S Fifty years from now, people should just sit and listen to this video. The lessons will be there. They must remain innovative because of constant change; we have not begun to see the changes that will happen over the next 50 years.

The real key to the success of Cianbro is we have always been innovative and done our own thing. We accepted the jobs that were difficult or impossible, and figured out how to do them. If you quit doing that, you will quit being successful.

One of the reasons for our success is we have given away a lot. We each have given a lot to public service, we have been very charitable, even when we could not afford to be. The more we have given away, the more we have gotten back.

Employees. Boy Scouts. Kids camps.

Local hospital. Local schools. We did it

What the Cianchette Brothers did matters.

when we didn’t know where the money was going to come from. But somehow, some reason, that has all returned with big dividends.

We encourage people in this company to think they have a

You made a major impact on our community, and we thank you.

public service obligation and a purpose in life to be charitable to help those who are less fortunate.

MERI is committed to creating a healthy Maine economy, strong businesses, and quality jobs by providing objective information to enhance economic policy making.

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All rights reserved. The TD logo and other trademarks are owned by The Toronto-Dominion Bank and used under license.

We tip our hard hats to a great Maine legacy!

We honor the Cianchette Brothers’ immense contributions to the great state of Maine

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F R O M T H E D E S K O F. . .

Dedication

to Public Service has been a steadfast, innovative, and consistent source of pride and success helping our state reach new heights while putting thousands of Maine people to work across all the sectors of our economy. These businesses have championed new technologies and reformed existing industries. They have revitalized and embraced once struggling towns and communities. And it is thanks to organizations like the Maine State Chamber that, for over 100 years, our state has been able to weather the storms of economic downturn and thrive in times of economic growth.

The Chamber has worked to advance a positive business climate in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed — including iconic Maine businesses like Cianbro Corporation. Today, the creativity and business savvy of Cianbro has turned it into one of our country’s largest construction services company. It is because of the Cianchette brothers, and the leadership of Peter and Andi Vigue, that this organization has been able to thrive in Maine and make an incredible impact both in our state and across the country.

The company that would eventually become Cianbro was founded back in 1949.

Maine’s business and political landscape in the 1940’s was a bit different than today: our state was home to a German prisoner of war camp in Houlton, a major forest fire swept from Mount Desert Island far inland destroying more than 200,000 acres of our pristine natural resources, and in 1948 our state elected its first female United States Senator, Margaret Chase Smith.

MAINE’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY

32

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Throughout the rapid pace of change of that decade, each of the four Cianchette brothers were committed to success. They each had their own strengths, and rather than letting their differences get between them, they worked together through the years and maintained a deep bond. Their leadership led Cianbro to become the largest construction company in Maine, with thousands of employees along the East Coast. We owe a debt of gratitude to the vision and work ethic of Ken, Carl, Bud and Chuck.

Throughout its history, Cianbro has proved itself as a company that can take the lead on high-profile, critical infrastructure projects. From the Casco Bay Bridge to the Cross Insurance Arena, their contributions to Maine’s transportation network and its economy cannot be overstated. Excitingly, Cianbro has just been awarded the critical restoration and renovation work for the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. — a fitting project for a company, and a family, that has given so much back to community and country.

When I was Governor, I can remember working with Peter Vigue, Andi Vigue, and Chuck Cianchette (Chuck, of course, was in the State Senate at the time). Their long-held Maine values of kindness, independence, dedication to family, and willingness to help their community crisscrossed their life’s work and continue to inspire Maine business leaders today. We can only hope that Maine’s future leaders hold these same values and dedication to public service.

Cianbro has not only provided the state of Maine with a number of critical infrastruc-

PHOTO: COURTESY SENATOR ANGUS KING

A Message from U.S. Senator Angus King

ture projects, but has made deeply impactful philanthropic investments. The Cianbro charitable foundation has contributed millions of dollars back to the community to organizations ranging from the Mid-Maine homeless shelter to the Maine Veteran’s project. Thanks to Cianbro, many people across Maine have been able to secure a roof over their heads, food to eat, and support during trying times.

Their dedication to their employees was proven when the company became 100 percent employee owned – a terrific tribute to the hard-working men and women of Cianbro.

Maine’s great businesses can learn something from Cianbro and the Cianchette brothers. When you focus on innovation, community, and family, you will be rewarded not only with success, but with a legacy of dedicated public service that lasts beyond a lifetime. The Cianchette brothers will all be remembered for their dedication to each other, their employees, the Pittsfield community, to the State of Maine, and of course, to our country.

RIGHT: Chuck’s campaign flyer, 1992.

Be sure to listen to the Maine State Chamber of Commerce’s twice-monthly podcast, The Bottom Line, featuring a variety of special guests highlighting important issues and priorities for Maine’s business community and economy.

Each 30-minute episode of The Bottom Line can be heard on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, Spotify and radio.com.

Because there’s always room between your ears for more.

2023 TBL OneVoice Maine.indd 1

Please visit mainechamber. org/the-bottom-line to listen to archived episodes and for more information about The Bottom Line, including sponsorship opportunities.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3 10/2/2023 02:33:35 PM

33

PERSPECTIVES

M C I and the C I A N C H Story by Tom Bertrand ‘90, Maine Central Institute Assistant Head of School for Advancement H I L E E X P L O R I N G the Maine Central Institute campus, it does not take long to recognize that there is a strong relationship between MCl and the Cianchette family.

Several buildings proudly bear the Cianchette name, including the Chuck and Helen Cianchette Math and Science Center on the northwest corner of campus, and the Cianchette Alumni and Development Center on the southeast corner of campus. This is the house where Ralph and Edna Cianchette raised their family and three

34

went on to build a small construction company with

brothers are all members of MCI’s Hall of Fame due to

their older brother Carl. The brothers built the compa-

the enormous contributions they have made to the

ny into one of the largest construction companies on

school over the years. These contributions are truly

the east coast, and today it is one of the largest employ-

immeasurable, as their individual and collective com-

ee owned construction companies in the United States.

mitment to the school extended far beyond them per-

Three of the Cianchette brothers are MCI alumni;

sonally. The brothers made it very clear that MCI was

Kenneth ‘42, Bud ‘44, Chuck ‘48, and all of their children

a priority for them and for Cianbro by extension. That

and several of their grandchildren graduated from MCI,

commitment has endured beyond their time with MCI.

as well. Chuck was an active member of the MCI Board

The legacy of these men and their impact on the school

of Trustees, serving as Board Chair from 1986-1989. The

continues to be felt to this day as Cianbro quietly, but

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO: COURTESY MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE

of their children, Kenneth, Ival (Bud), and Alton (Chuck),

ETTES

powerfully, continues to partner with the school on

gle-shot shotgun to go hunting at the age of 10. Ralph

projects large and small.

and Edna had 7 children in the span of 11 years, so keep-

In the book, “Cianbro - The First 50 Years,” there is

ing up with the boys was likely impossible. The children

an excerpt about the family living in what is now known

were given freedom to explore and were taught values

interchangeably as The Cianchette House, or Cianchette

of integrity, independence, positive attitudes, treating

Alumni and Development Center, on campus. Chuck

people with dignity and respect, and the importance of

and Ken tell of some of their young and rambunctious

working together and taking care of one another. These

adventures such as all of the children chasing each oth-

lessons obviously endured and served the brothers well

er around the ledge outside the second story of the

into their adult lives and careers. For 34 years, Edna

house, and heading into the woods alone with a sin-

taught Sunday School at the First Baptist Church, which

ABOVE: The Chuck & Helen Cianchette Math and Science Center at MCI constructed by Cianbro in 2001.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

35

36

sits on the opposite corner of MCI’s front campus from

geothermal heating and cooling system that was an un-

The Cianchette House. She was named Mother of the

orthodox approach but has saved the school thousands

Year for the State of Maine in 1962.

of dollars over the years in efficiencies. Atop the Math

In 1993 the house was restored and repurposed

and Science Center, a weathervane is perched with one

from being a residence to an office space for the

word across it: THINK. It is a perpetual message from

School. The parlor downstairs in the house has been

Kenneth to the students at MCI about the importance

preserved and restored, but the rest of the building

of that very simple, but critical, one word.

has been renovated to serve as offices. Currently the

As is true with all urban legends, there are many

Admission and Advancement offices reside in The

stories of the brothers coming to the School’s aid

Cianchette House, but in the past it has housed the

when it needed it most and without any hesitation.

Head of School’s office as well as the office for Bossov

The brothers would be the first to tell you that they did

Ballet Theater at MCI, a performing company and in-

not do any of it alone and there are many names that

ternational pre-professional ballet school.

get mentioned when discussing the myriad of projects

As Cianbro grew and MCI began to expand, the

they took on. The stories that are told by these peo-

brothers’ impact on the School and their commitment

ple simply reinforce the importance of teamwork and

also grew. They loved MCI and did whatever needed

a shared commitment to help get things done. One

to be done to ensure its sustainability through philan-

person close to these projects stated that it was not

thropic endeavors and gifts in kind to the school re-

uncommon to see Kenneth and Chuck perched upon

garding building repair and campus upkeep. Beyond

graders on Sunday afternoons during the construction

that, they saw the potential for growth and participated

of the football field in the late 1980s. None of them

in the planning and project management of buildings.

were afraid to get their hands dirty and get to work at

Two of those buildings, Wright Gymnasium and The

the ground level. It is also rumored that the technique

Chuck and Helen Cianchette Math and Science Center,

used to determine a plot of pine trees on the hill south

are examples of this. The brothers and the company

of Wright Gymnasium was by dumping a bucket of golf

were active in the construction planning and execution

balls down the hill and wherever the balls stopped

of those buildings. Some ingenuity that was woven into

rolling, they planted a seed. The goal by Kenneth and

the Cianchette Math and Science Center included a

others was to ensure the plot did not have a patterned

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO: COURTESY MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE

PERSPECTIVES ABOVE: The Cianchette Alumni and Development Center on the MCI campus; the house where the Cianchette family was raised.

or predictable look; a small but insightful touch that can now be appreciated from up close or from afar. There are tales of buildings being creatively reinforced or structurally enhanced based on nothing more than a few people in a room deciding what was best, figuring out how to get it done well, and then getting to work. Their generosity extended beyond the MCI campus and into the town. Bud played a crucial role in the renovation of the Town Office and needed upgrades to the Pinnacle ski slope in town. There are countless other town projects that the brothers contributed to in order to make our community a better place to live.

MCI, and the greater Pittsfield community, has benefited greatly from the deep and genuine support of the Cianchette brothers, their families, and Cianbro.

Doug Cummings, who was the Head of School at MCI from 1986-2004 when the brothers were very active with the school

The Way Education Should Be Maine Central Institute is greater than its program and campus: It’s a place where a mission-driven education is experienced in an international spirit of shared adventure that turns challenge into opportunity, potential into achievement, young men and women into principled leaders, and individuals into a community of wisdom that strives unceasingly to better the world through mutual understanding and shared endeavor.

To Learn More, Visit www.mci-school.org

summed up their support well, stating, “The Cianchette Brothers have all been key to the success and ongoing development of MCI. I was very fortunate to have known them all, as well as their tremendous team at Cianbro. It was a blessing to work with such visionaries.”

That support is ongoing, and without it the School would look and feel very different. The recent renovation of the signature building on campus, Founders Hall, was an example of that enduring commitment to “just get things done,” as Cianbro ensured that no barriers would stand in the way of work being complet-

Congratulations to the

Cianchette Brothers for being honored by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce

ed on time and the right way. Without doubt, Kenneth, Bud, and Chuck were looking down with those big smiles as that project commenced and eventually concluded. It epitomized the approach they took when addressing a need at the school. Now, as the bell rings loud and proud atop Founders Hall and whenever students glance up at that subtle message atop the Math and Science Center,

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the legacy of these men and their commitment will live on.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

37

F R O M T H E D E S K O F. . .

G R O W I N G U P I N W E S T E R N M A I N E , I would spend mornings on my bike

delivering newspapers to neighbors on my local paper route. As a teenager after school, I worked the evening shift at our local diner. My mother and my father taught me, my three brothers and my sister the value of serving others.

That guiding belief at the heart of my family was also deeply held by another family in Maine: the Cianchettes.

Like my parents, Raphael L. Cianchette and Edna “Marmie” Steen Cianchette taught their children to work hard, save the money they earned, and use their time and talents to make things better for others. Raphael, a Catholic Italian immigrant who traveled alone from Naples to Boston at the age of 11 to help build a railroad in Ashland from Presque Isle, and Edna, a conservative Baptist who left school in the eighth grade to make a living for herself in a woolen mill, were blessed with seven children including brothers Carl, Alton “Chuck”, Ival “Bud”, and Kenneth.

Raised on South Main Street in Pittsfield, Carl, Chuck, Bud and Ken had the freedom to take risks, a freedom which later sparked the courage they would need to continue their father’s forays in the construction industry. The

Remembering the Cianchettes and Their Lasting Mark on Maine brothers also had the responsibility of selling their mother’s sugar donuts to neighbors to help support the family and delivering newspapers on their own paper routes, although they used their family donkey “Mintoes” instead of a bicycle, like I did. That early entrepreneurship taught the brothers how to save their money, especially in hard times, a skill that would see their family through the Great Depression. And those early responsibilities instilled in them a strong work ethic and a life-long commitment to do right by people that were counting on them, a commitment further demonstrated by Ken, Carl, and Bud’s service on behalf of our state and nation in World War II. As Carl remembered, his parents taught his brothers and sister to “always deal honestly and above board with people. And to always face what we came to without backing off.” That creed was at the heart of everything the Cianchette brothers did in the State of Maine, both in founding Cianbro, their commercial business, and in their lifetimes of community service.

Together they turned their hardscrabble family business into one of America’s largest construction and construction services companies, surviving the fierce competition and setbacks of the industry for more than fifty years to build what is now a 100 percent employee-owned business, one that operates in forty states across the country and one that generates more than $1 billion in revenue a year.

38

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO: COURTESY GOVERNOR JANET T. MILLS

A Message from Governor Janet T. Mills

Those profits are driven by the people at the heart of Cianbro, the employees whose welfare Carl, Chuck, Bud, and Ken invested in for decades. By training thousands of highly qualified construction professionals through the Cianbro Institute and by offering full tuition reimbursement for degrees and certifications earned elsewhere, Cianbro is building on the Cianchette brothers’ legacy of investing in people.

The Cianchette’s business success is surpassed only by their life-long contributions to communities across Maine. Ken served on town councils and school boards and was known to be a “deep thinker and pragmatic ‘doer’ always.” Chuck fought to restore civility to the State Legislature following a state government shutdown, believing that “it needs to be fixed and it can be fixed.” Carl was known to “put his heart and soul into everything he did,” founding the Sebasticook Valley Hospital to expand local access to health care. Like his brothers, Bud served as a member of dozens of organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, generously donating his time and talents to support young people and to strengthen our state.

Of course, of their many accomplishments, Carl, Chuck, Bud, and Ken were probably proudest of being fathers, and in some cases, grandfathers, and great grandfathers.

As Carl’s son Brian put it, “I hope he’ll be remembered as very honest, decent, caring and fair. We’re very, very proud of him.”

The Cianchette brothers were genuine, generous, and gracious individuals who dedicated their lives to making Maine the best state in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. Pragmatic problem solvers who were willing to work with anyone to get things done, the legacy of the Cianchette brothers lives on in the company and in its employees, who personify the work ethic and the professionalism the Cianchette brothers brought to the Maine business community. In Carl, Chuck, Bud, and Ken’s memory, may all Maine people honor the generosity and work ethic their family embodied, as well as the value of serving others and a fierce dedication to the State of Maine.

We are proud to honor the

Cianchette Brothers We appreciate the work and dedication of Ken, Carl, Bud, and Chuck who served our communities and the state of Maine.

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39

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Above All Else of the

Cianchette family in Pittsfield, Raphael Cianchette (March 25, 1895–December 30, 1972), emigrated from Italy to Boston at age 11 with 12 cents in his pocket and unable to speak English. He went to work as a water boy on a construction crew building railroads in northern Maine.

The matriarch of the family, Edna Maud Steen Cianchette (July

FAMILY ALWAYS CAME FIRST IN THE CIANCHETTE CLAN

However, my grandfather died

Written by Sheila D. Grant

family. They had seven chil-

had more of a connection to my

grandmother,

Marmie,”

said Peter Cianchette, one of Bud’s five children. “The memory that is by far most prominent for me about my grandparents was their focus on and commitment to our dren of their own, and many of

19, 1895–September 9, 1991), grew up in Welling-

those went on to have large families, too. With-

ton. Her father died when she was only 8, leav-

out question, the family, and its values and mor-

ing her mother to raise six children alone. By

als, was what my grandparents prized above all.”

the time Edna was 13, she had to leave school to support herself.

Ann was in 6th grade when her Grampa died. “I did not get to know him as well. I think

These two people would meet and fall in

my older cousins were closer to him. I do re-

love. They married on September 14, 1918 and

member that he loved to keep fruit trees in

proceeded to have seven children over the next

Florida; oranges, grapefruits and huge lemons

11 years. Four of their sons, Carl, Ken, Bud and

that we would actually peel and eat off the tree,”

Chuck, would go on to become the founding

she said. “He and Marmie would sit in their glid-

fathers of construction industry giant, Cianbro

er lawn chairs in the driveway at their Pittsfield

Corporation. The four brothers would also be-

house on Morrell Street and greet their com-

come the more traditional sort of fathers, having

pany. He liked to call people ‘Woodenhead!’ I

20 children between them.

think he had a wry sense of humor. And an Ital-

The Cianchette children called their grandparents Grampa and Marmie.

“I think the oldest grandchild, Janice, named her Marmie and it stuck,” said Ann Cianchette, one of Ken’s five children. Janice was one of Carl’s six children.

“I remember both of my grandparents well.

40

when I was quite young, so I

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

ian accent that was odd for us as kids to make sense of. He refused to speak Italian after he learned English, and he flew the American flag on a pole on his front lawn every single day.

“In college, I studied Italian and spent a semester in Italy in 1982 so that I could keep the family ties to the old country alive,” Ann said.

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

H E PAT R I A R C H

Marmie with the children O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

41

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Cianchette family portrait, 1962.

“I did get to visit the house he was born

great grandchildren. I remember visit-

home from college and my dad asked me

in, and met some of his cousins there in

ing her with Kyle right around his first

to spend the summer making sure that

Pettorano sul Gizio, outside Sulmona.”

birthday — a month before she passed

all of Marmie’s photos and photo albums

Lynn Cianchette, one of Chuck’s

away — and she told me that he needed

were labeled,” Ann said. “So, I would sit

four children, remembers her Grampa as

a haircut, so of course I went right home

on the floor by her rocking chair and she

“a very kind and gentle person.”

and cut his hair! You did not argue with

would tell me the year, names and lo-

Marmie. She was a strong woman, quiet

cation of every photo from all the box-

but powerful, having raised six big boys

es and I labeled them. It was great! She

“My grandmother was Maine’s Moth-

and a daughter in the aftermath of WW1

turned 85 that summer and remembered

er of the Year in 1962,” said Ann. “It was a

and during the Depression. She gave

every single detail of every photo.”

really big deal at the time! She went to

birth to seven children from 1919 to 1930.

New York City for the national Mother of

They all respected her so much.”

the Year celebration. John Glenn’s mother won the national award!”

42

And in 1988, when Ann and her sister Jean opened a hair salon in Pittsfield,

Marmie served as Superintendent

Marmie was at the front of the line to

of the Sunday School at Pittsfield’s First

become a client. “It was such a treat for

Marmie knit her 32 grandchildren a

Baptist Church for over 50 years. “Her

us to perm and cut her hair for her last

new pair of mittens every year for Christ-

photo was on the wall in the annex that

three years. She had great hair, just like

mas when they were growing up. “I was

was named for her in 1958,” Ann said. “I

my dad’s,” Ann said.

grandchild number 30 out of 32 and when

remember seeing it whenever I had to

my son Kyle came along in 1990, she was

recite a verse or line in church.”

What comes to mind when Peter Cianchette thinks about his father Bud’s

95 and still remembered everyone’s birth

Marmie may have aged, but her mem-

and Bud’s siblings’ childhood is “just

date — I think even her great- and great-

ory did not. “In the summer of 1980, I was

how tightknit all those six brothers and

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

There are many Marmie stories for the Cianchettes to cherish.

a sister were, how genuine their relation-

and human being,” he added.

ship with one another was. The family

The summer that she was 15, Ann

reunions that we used to have years ago,

worked in the accounting department

particularly in the 60s and 70s, typically

at Cianbro. The summer she was 17, she

we would gather every summer at my Un-

worked as a secretary and receptionist

cle Carl’s camp in Hartland on the lake.

in the engineering department. She re-

“I think about what great memories

turned to accounting from February to

we made and how much fun we had,” Pe-

June the year she was 20.

ter said. “We had 32 in our generation; I

“After college, I worked in the ac-

was number 31. Some of my very earliest

counting department for a year as billing

memories are both grandparents being

clerk while I waited for a job in HR to

at this reunion, my father and his gen-

open up. But it didn’t and I was offered

eration, and most in my generation. We

a job as an English Teacher at MCI so I

would have a large picnic at the lake with

took it, and then left Pittsfield the fol-

lots of food, lots of laughter, and an age

lowing year,” she said.

range from toddlers to my grandparents.”

Lynn worked at Cianbro throughout her career, but started at the bottom

GROWING UP CIANCHETTE

and worked her way up. “I started in 1967

Ralph and Edna passed down to their

when I was 12,” she said. “I was the office

children an entrepreneurial spirit, the

cleaner, so I would go in the evenings

courage to make mistakes and learn from

and vacuum, dust, wash coffee cups,

them, a strong work ethic, and a deep

clean ashtrays – a year or two into that,

love of family and community.

and I brought my brother, Charlie, who

Chuck was the youngest of their

was five years younger, and he cleaned

children. “When all of the brothers were

the ashtrays and washed the coffee

off to war, he and his sister were home

cups. We like to say that he was the first

and had to help around the farm,” said

sub-contractor to Cianbro!”

Lynn, who said that she, too, remembers working in those hay fields as a kid.

Lynn said she, her siblings and her cousins “were just other kids in the

“We all worked at Cianbro,” said Pe-

community. We didn’t feel any different.

ter, Bud’s son. “Some of my earliest mem-

We had to work for what we earned. We

ories are working in the shop sweeping

had to go to school. Our parents were

the floors and washing the windows. I

strict, which was not uncommon in

What comes to mind when Peter Cianchette thinks about his father Bud’s and Bud’s siblings’ childhood is “just how tightknit all those

six brothers and a sister were, how genuine

Helping Maine businesses and communities address their most pressing water and environmental challenges.

their relationship with one another was.” was probably 14. The summers before,

those days. We didn’t feel any different

he would have us work at his horse farm

than anyone else.”

where he bred and raised horses, muck-

There was one notable difference,

ing stalls, helping repair fences, putting

however. One of her father Chuck’s hob-

up hay. In one form or another we all had

bies was antique cars.

summer jobs and worked during school

“In high school, my sister drove a

breaks in offices, shops, or at the farm.

1930 rumble seat Ford,” Lynn recalled. “I

My dad was just a wonderful man, father

drove a 1956 Ford Super Deluxe. Those

woodardcurran.com

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

43

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

are the cars that we had to drive when we

During her childhood, Ann remem-

“Dad replaced the spokes but the

were teenagers. We couldn’t drive them

bers of her father Ken, “He could do any-

wheel was still crooked and he couldn’t

in the winter, but in the summertime, we

thing, fix anything and seemed to know

get it to work,” Ann said. “He was 12 or

all had antique cars to drive around. We

everything. I know all kids feel that way,

13. His father saw his frustration and of-

called the rumble seat car ‘Barnie.’” At

but my friends and cousins thought that

fered to look at it. He set the bike up on

last count, Lynn said, Chuck’s collection

about my dad, too. He was larger than

the porch and started tuning the spokes

included 25 to 30 cars – “everything from

life in so many ways. He was physically

and within minutes he had the wheel

a DeLorean to some very nice Cords.”

so strong. He would use the palm of his

running perfectly straight. Dad said he

hand to drive long spikes into trees to

couldn’t figure out how his father tuned

entertain us kids.”

the spokes, but he did it quickly and eas-

Perhaps less fun was when business interfered with a teen’s social life. “As kids, when we were in our high school

Ken was also an inventor. “He made

ily. You can hear the awe and respect in

years, they started to not be in the field

his own have-a-heart trap to catch pesky

my dad’s voice when he talked about his

every day,” Lynn recalled. “They had proj-

red squirrels that damaged the camp and

dad. Clearly that is where he got his me-

ect managers and project superinten-

he would take them out to the small is-

chanical aptitude!”

dents who were overseeing the projects.

land on the lake and set them free,” Ann

We had a telephone at our house that

said. “We still call it Squirrel Island.”

The four Cianchette brothers lived big lives with varied interests. Many of these were passed down to their children.

“He was physically so strong. He would use the palm of his hand to drive long spikes into trees to entertain us kids.”

— A N N C I A N C H E T T E , S P E A K I N G O F H E R FAT H E R , K E N

While Peter said he did not pick up Bud’s passion for raising race horses, “I shared his interest in politics and the Cianchette family’s belief in public service.” Peter served in the Maine State Legislature in the House of Representa-

was tied into the company line, so the

Ken shared a story with his children

tives, had a bid for governor in 2002, and

phone rang a lot for business calls. When

about the time he saved up to buy a bike to

was appointed as a U.S. Ambassador by

a call was for us kids, we were allowed five

make it easier to deliver newspapers, and,

President George W. Bush in 2008. “My

minutes on the phone. We had to leave

while riding with a friend on the handle-

dad never ran for office, but he was al-

the line open for the business calls.”

bars, a mishap left the spokes damaged.

ways supportive of candidates and initia-

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

Chuck, simultaneously enjoying one of his antique cars and his grandchildren.

44

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O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

45

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Ann’s two brothers got their pilot’s license, as their father had, but Ann said she and her sisters instead inherited his love of flower gardening. “And I still have the sunfish sailboat from our childhood and the camp, and my sons and I sail,” she said.

Chuck, too, shared his love of aviation with his children. “My two sisters and my brother learned, and I went through ground school and decided I was a better passenger than a pilot,” Lynn said. “Both of my sisters flew for a while; my brother still flies.”

Occasionally, Lynn said, the Cianbro legacy will strike her. She recalled a time, in 2015, or so, that she was in D.C., riding on the Metro. “It crossed under the Potomac River and came out on the D.C. side and I could look out the window from there and see the Pentagon, the U.S. Air Force Memorial, Humpback Bridge, the Case Memorial Bridge and the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and I thought to myself, ‘I wonder if the brothers, when they started this company in 1949, ever dreamed they would be doing these projects and so many more in our nation’s capital?’ The Air Force Memorial was an amazing project, and after 9-11, they went in and did repairs to one of the sections of the Pentagon that was damaged. It’s just amazing that this little company from Pittsfield, Maine was doing these types of projects. It was just striking to me when I thought about it.”

One less acknowledged key to the brothers’ sucTOP: Family reunion, 2018

and the country,” Peter said.

Ken bought the camp in Unity from Bud in 1962.

they said many times wasn’t meant to say that the wives

ABOVE: Bud, sailing on Peter’s boat.

“We moved out there lock, stock and barrel every Me-

didn’t know anything — I’m sure they all went home and

morial Day weekend and stayed until Labor Day until

spoke to their wives about things — but the wives were

1978,” Ann said. “He would keep his float plane at camp

not in on the business meetings,” she said.

“The wives stayed home and ran their households,

away), and he would fly us to Belfast (eight minutes

supported their husbands, who weren’t home a lot be-

away) to go clam digging. He was at camp a lot. He and

cause they had a job to do and then were out in the

his friends around the lake played horseshoes under the

community,” said Lynn. “They supported their wives, so

lights he had installed on the trees in our yard. They had

their wives could raise the children and make a good life

sailboat (sunfish) regattas every Sunday. They played

for them while they were out trying to make a good life

Password and cards (63, Ol’ Hell and Spades) and had so

for the people in the community. The wives were very

much fun at camp.”

good friends. On the weekends they often socialized

very unique steel ‘tippy tower’ that our friends still talk

together.” If there was an event in Pittsfield, she said, the six of them would be there.

about,” Ann said. “He bought us a rectangular trampo-

“The families remained close. We always had a sum-

line, installed a tetherball pole, and let us keep horses

mer family reunion and we still continue that,” Lynn

and a donkey in a pasture at the top of the camp road.”

said.

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

“They were not involved in the business at all, which

so he could fly to jobsites and into Pittsfield (16 miles

Ken, of course, built his own boats, floats and “a

46

cess, she said, was their wives.

tives he thought were in the best interest of the state

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F R O M T H E D E S K O F. . .

Building a Lasting Legacy A Message from Philip E. Harriman

48

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

fessional passion. From experience I have learned that when you have a family business, money, and emotion in the same room at the same time, making decisions about the future of the business can be magical and sometimes turbulent to put it mildly. After more than 45 years of assisting family businesses align their heads, hearts, and stomachs to implement decisions, collaborating with their lawyers and accountants to bring a client’s vision to reality to assure financial peace of mind and economic stability for employees and the communities in which these family businesses are located, the Cianchette family is an enduring example of the impact individuals can have on Maine. Working alongside them has been such an honor and rewarding relationship for me personally, and Lebel & Harriman, LLP as a firm to work with the Cianchettes over the last 34 plus years.

Much is written in this magazine about this extraordinary family’s immigration from Italy to America, the impact they have had on everyone they know, and the contributions they have made to their beloved town of Pittsfield, Maine, and our country. What I would like to share as a non-family member sitting at the kitchen table so to speak over the years is the love and respect the brothers had for each other. Their relationship was infectious and synergistic, making each interaction with one of them a life enhancing experience.

The Boy Scouts comes to mind as just one of so many examples of my experiences with them. Even amid a business downturn in the early 1990’s, with profitability declining and economic indicators sending signals of even more challenges ahead, the brothers continued donating their time and treasure. When asked why, the response didn’t take a moment to ponder. “If we don’t support organizations preparing our youngsters for the future, especially during economic times like this, we won’t have organizations like the Scouts teaching leadership, responsibility, and citizenship when the good times return.”

Alton “Chuck” Cianchette was an affable man, inspiring and always bringing out the best in people. Yet when he was upset, look out. One such time was when the legislature failed to address the workers’ compensation crisis and tangled with Governor John “Jock” McKernan to the point of shutting down state government for weeks. In the aftermath of this debacle, Chuck and I were scheduled to meet on business matters. When I arrived, all he wanted to talk about was how upset he was with the toxic atmosphere in Augusta, how things needed to change, and that he decided that he was going to run for the Maine Senate so he could serve as a catalyst to make changes to get Maine on the move again.

I said “Chuck, I’ve never seen you so riled up, I admire you

PHOTO: COURTESY PHIL HARRIMAN

FA M I LY B U S I N E S S L E G A C Y planning has been my pro-

THE SHINING EXAMPLE OF THEIR LEGACY IS SPENDING THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS BUILDING ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN AMERICA AND THEN IN THE END TRANSFORMING CIANBRO INTO A 100 PERCENT EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNED COMPANY. for wanting to take this on at this point in your life, what can I do to help you.” “Glad you asked,” Chuck responded. “I need you to run for the Maine Senate from your part of the state.” To shorten a much longer conversation, a few months later I announced my candidacy to join him in making changes in Augusta.

We served two terms together before he considered his mission accomplished and chose to retire. Chuck was an unheralded influence in turning Maine’s economy toward a better future.

Ival “Bud” Cianchette was an imposing man with a gentle deep voice. He used both attributes to persuade you to join him in whatever he was working on.

He wanted the team to win, whether it was raising a bridge or racing horses with his friend and father of one of my childhood friends, Don Richards, a Hall of Fame harness racing driver and horse breeder. Don recalled an experience he had with Bud who flew Don up to Pittsfield for a meeting and then decided because of inclement weather that it was better to drive home in Bud’s vehicle. Don said to me “Phil, we flew up to Pittsfield by plane and flew back by pickup truck!” Bud was always moving fast in pursuit of making things happen! He was equally passionate about supporting political candidates he thought would better serve Maine or our country. Bud was by your side. It was always interesting when Bud, a Republican, and brother Chuck, a Democrat, would get into debates. It was good entertainment and proof of what used to be how we, as Americans, would debate the issues of the day, come to common ground and work for what is best for our country rather than for one’s re-election or party power.

Ken Cianchette was a man of few words with huge ideas. From his patented inventions to always looking out for the employees who were struggling.

Years ago, I recall him challenging the discussion of having an employer matching contribution to the

401(k) plan. His rationale was that money used for the employer match would deny employees a piece of the pie so to speak, who couldn’t afford to contribute. Rather he suggested, the money should go into the Profit-Sharing Plan so that ALL employees would benefit for their retirement.

The shining example of their legacy is spending their entire careers building one of the most successful construction companies in America and then in the end transforming Cianbro into a 100 percent Employee Stock Owned Company. This has delivered enhanced benefits for all career minded Cianbro Teammates ever since.

Perhaps most telling of the Cianchette Family life journey is their enduring commitment to their American roots — Pittsfield, Maine. Since their births and still today, Pittsfield is home. Most family businesses who grow and scale move their headquarters to more convenient locations for financial, logistical and image reasons. Not Cianbro. Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield Historical Society, Pittsfield Airport and many other local community and non-profit organizations continue to thrive because of the community minded legacy of the Cianchettes. I also learned that their location was also a barometer of whether someone was a good potential teammate or partner.

Chuck told me with a smile on his face and twinkle in his eye one day that I passed the first and most important test of being their financial advisor. He went on to let me in on the brothers’ secret. If someone wasn’t willing to drive all the way to Pittsfield to see them in person, then they likely lacked the commitment to work together when challenges or conflicts arose, which happens when you least expect it and at the wrong time.

To the entire Cianchette family and the teammates and leaders of Cianbro today, may I say: well said and well done!

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49

PERSPECTIVES

THE CIANCHETTE BROTHERS AND AGC MAINE FORGED

A LIFELONG PA R T N E R S H I P TO ADVANCE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Story by Kelly Flagg, Executive Director, AGC Maine

50

the Maine Better Transportation Association

Maine contractors, including the Cianchette

of transportation infrastructure. Bud was also a

Brothers, founders of Cianbro, were instrumen-

strong advocate in providing for the future of

tal in the establishment of the Maine Chapter,

the construction industry and was instrumental

known to many as AGC Maine. Cianbro was one

in the development of AGC Maine’s Education

of three charter companies that recognized the

Foundation, which provides scholarships for as-

need to develop a statewide association with

piring contractors attending higher education

principles of integrity, skill, and responsibility in

in the State of Maine.

that informed the public about the conditions

the growing construction market. Brothers Carl,

Carl Cianchette was The Cianchette Broth-

Ken, Ival, and Chuck have a long history of local

ers first President after founding the company

and national leadership with AGC.

in 1949 with his two brothers Ken and Bud. Carl

Ival “Bud” Cianchette was at the table when

served as First Vice President of AGC Maine and

discussions started on forming the statewide

served in the Maine House 1955-1956 and Maine

Chapter of AGC Maine. Years later he served

Senate 1969-1970. He also served on the Exec-

as President of AGC Maine in 1968, and in the

utive Council of Governor Reid from 1965-1966

esteemed role of President of AGC America in

and again for Governor Longley 1975-1976.

1980. Bud was also the first leader honored with

Ken Cianchette served as AGC Maine Presi-

the Major Achievement in Construction Award in

dent in 1978 and was picked as Chairman of the

1975. He was instrumental in the establishment

Year in 1984 for by AGC America for his push to

of Maine’s engagement in The Road Information

national investment in infrastructure. That same

Project, a joint venture between AGC Maine and

year, he was selected for AGC Maine’s top honor,

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

RIGHT: The Cianchette Building — Northern Light Health’s administrative building in Brewer, Maine.

Cianbro was the Construction Manager, 2003.

PHOTO: COURTESY CIANBRO

T H I R T Y-T H R E E Y E A R S after Associated General Contractors of America was founded in 1918,

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

51

PERSPECTIVES TOP LEFT: The tidal Kenduskeag Stream in downtown Bangor, with average tides of 14 feet, was narrowed to construct parking on both sides and add sewer lines, 1961.

TOP RIGHT: Studying the plans for a bridge project in York, Maine. From left to right, Phil Woods, state highway engineer and his assistants, Ivan Morrison and Jerry Allen, and Chuck, 1957.

RIGHT: One of Cianbro’s first construction manager projects was the L.L. Bean returns facility, warehouse and a distribution center in Freeport, 1993.

BOTTOM RIGHT: The Piscataqua River Bridge spanning between Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Cianbro was awarded 4 of the 6 contracts, and was a subcontractor on 1 contract, 1968 - 1972.

52

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTOS: COURTESY CIANBRO

BOTTOM LEFT: The AT&T earth station, in Rumford, Maine, was constructed of a 300-foot diameter, 210-foothigh fabric bubble to house a huge, rotating antenna to monitor a satellite, 1961.

the Major Achievement in Construction Award.

Alton “Chuck” Cianchette served in the Maine Senate for four terms, between 1973-1977 and 1993-1997. Chuck continued the work of his brothers by re-

THE CIANCHETTE

maining engaged with AGC America and

FAMILY HAS BEEN

serving on a working committee focused

COMMITTED TO THE

on manpower and safety.

In 1980, when Bud Cianchette served as National President, a first for a Maine

BETTERMENT OF THE INDUSTRY SINCE 1949...

contractor, he had the distinct honor of introducing President Ronald Reagan to the leadership convention. As President,

THEIR LEGACY

Bud traveled the country meeting with

CONTINUES TODAY.

Chapters and construction firms.

The incredible commitment to Lead-

CONGRATULATIONS

ership by the Cianchette Brothers led to

FROM AGC MAINE.

72 years of engagement with AGC, that continues today. Cianbro has continued to assist their subcontractors and members and non-members from around the country to improve their safety, worker education and evolving construction practices. When AGC Maine launched a new crane operator education program, Department of Economic & Community Development

Cianbro assisted with the process, including testing, allowing AGC Maine to be a leader in this training.

In fact, the legacy the Cianchette brothers started, lives on in AGC. In 1991, AGC Maine selected Cianbro’s Robert Desjardins as Board President and in 2001 he was chosen as President of AGC America. Pete Vigue, Cianbro’s Board Chair, was selected in 2002 for AGC Maine’s Major Achievement in Construction Award. Chuck Cianchette’s son Charlie has also carried on the legacy by serving as President of AGC Maine in 2014 and also on the AGC of America Board of Directors.

As the Maine State Chamber of Commerce celebrates the history and achievement of the Cianchette Brothers, Charlie Cianchette also was honored with AGC Maine’s Major Achievement in Construction Award for his commitment to the industry and for his years of service to AGC, effectively carrying on the legacy.

Whether you are looking to start, grow, or relocate your business in/to Maine, the Office of Business Development is here to help!

• Domestic Trade • Resource

• Tax Incentives • Small Business

• Start-up

• Workforce • Investment

Navigation Assistance

• Site Selection

Support

Attraction

Get in touch with us: Charlotte Mace, Director Charlotte.Mace@Maine.gov Ben Sturtevant Large Business Development Manager Ben.Sturtevant@Maine.gov Jake Daniele Small Business Development Manager Jake.Daniele@Maine.gov

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53

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

Building a Company, and a Culture Written by Sheila D. Grant

54

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

FAR LEFT: Bud, Ken, Clair, Norris and Carl, 1929.

LEFT: Ralph and Chuck discussing a project. Ralph often visited the projects and assisted by giving advice, 1970.

N 1 9 4 6 , T H E N E W Carl E. Cianchette Contractor company saw annual revenues of $46,000. In 2024, Cianbro will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The company now has more than 4,000 team members working at locations across the nation, and sees annual revenues of PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

$1.2 billion. Cianbro has also led the way in the construction industry on the health and safety front, and in becoming 100-percent employee owned.

Cianbro’s successes would be inspiring by any measure, but the fact that the company achieved this success while holding on to its founding principles — or perhaps because of those principles — is equally impressive.

In true “Us and Company” spirit, Norris, Clair and Ken Cianchette went to work with Carl that first year.

However, construction was not a fit for Clair or Norris, according to the late Ann McGowan, author of “Cianbro: The First 50 Years.” Before the first construction season was over, Chuck and Bud Cianchette joined

to Last

the team. For the most part, Carl, Ken, Bud and Chuck would work together for the rest of their careers.

By successfully taking on many difficult and financially risky jobs, the company grew. In 1949, Carl, Ken and Bud became partners and Carl E. Cianchette, Contractor became Cianchette Brothers, Inc.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

55

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

The brothers still shared office space and a bookkeeper. There was plenty of business to go around. After eight successful years, Ken Cianchette, Inc. was merged into Cianchette Brothers, Inc. By 1961, Carl decided to strike out on his own, and Cianchette Concrete was launched. Company shares were shifted and Carl stepped aside, leaving his brothers at the helm of the first company he had founded.

The Cianchettes understood brand management before the term was even coined. Because they knew the name Cianchette was difficult for customers outside of the Pittsfield region to pro-

ABOVE: Cianbro decommissioned and dismantled Yankee Rowe in Rowe, Massachusetts transporting the 300-ton reactor to South Carolina, 1994.

OPPOSITE: Chuck and Carl agreeing on a decision.

Chuck was drafted into the U.S.

name was changed to Cianbro Corporation

Army during the Korean Conflict, serv-

in 1970. This was no small task, as Cianbro

ing in the infantry, training as a radio

now included three office locations and

operator, and stationed in Germany for

hundreds of vehicles that would need to

18 months. He went to work with Carl

be re-branded, along with the company’s

and Bud when he came home, and soon

stationery and billing statements.

began acquiring stock, becoming a partner in the company.

56

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

In 1972, as Cianbro completed the acquisition of a concrete company in Oro-

Ken had decided to go out on his

no, Carl’s company was also merged back

own in 1953, focusing on municipal in-

into the Cianbro operation. Their founder

frastructure projects, McGowan wrote.

was back in the fold, though he was close

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

nounce, McGowan wrote, the company TOP: Equipment fleet in 1951 — a bulldozer, low-bed truck and a few trucks. Today, Cianbro’s equipment fleet is over 3,500 pieces valued at over $150 million.

to retiring by that time, said Lynn Cianchette, one of Chuck’s four children.

“A lot of people would ask, over the years, how did three brothers work together and have a successful company.

Not many families can do that. And their answer to that was they believed their success came from their philosophy on how they made decisions,” said Lynn.

“Bud was the administrator, the one who felt everything had to look right; be right.

He was the perfectionist. He was the detail person. Contracts had to be written correctly and be fair to all parties. He looked after that part of the business.

“Ken was the creative, innovative person. He could look at a set of plans for a job they were bidding and come up with a better way to do it, and that often got them really tough jobs and success on those jobs, because he had a way to build them,” Lynn said. “He was also the guy who really insisted that the people be treated right — employees, business partners, clients — people had to be treated fairly. In every one of the Cianbro conference rooms, and a lot of other places, there’s a sign that says ‘No One In This Room Is Smarter Than All Of Us.’ That was Ken’s way of saying ‘Let’s listen to everybody. They are out there doing the work and they may have a better way to do it. We need to listen to everyone.’

He was the one who held that standard.

“My dad (Chuck) was the people person. Much of his time was spent in the field working with people on job sites,” Lynn said. “As the company grew, he would fly around Virginia, Maryland

The Cianchettes understood brand

management before the term was even coined.

and Maine. He would be out on the job site to talk to the people and listen to

each have their say, but whoever felt the

Peter Cianchette, one of Bud’s five

the people. He was the one that made

strongest, they would support that per-

children, has not spent his entire career

sure the employees were happy and the

son. They would come out of that room

with Cianbro, but spent his early years

philosophy of the company was being

and there would be no more discussion.”

with the company and returned to Cian-

implemented. Treat people with dignity

Most of the Cianchette brothers’

and respect — that was kind of his thing.”

children worked at Cianbro in some

“I just wrapped up nearly nine years

When a big decision had to be made,

fashion, even if it was just sweeping of-

leading a Cianbro subsidiary, STARCON

“they would sit down in a room, just the

fice floors as a kid. Lynn and her broth-

International, in Houston,” said Peter,

three of them, to hash it over,” she said.

er, Charlie, as well as Carl’s son, the late

who recently returned to Maine. “Ac-

“They treated each other with respect,

Malcolm “Mac” Cianchette, made their

quiring STARCON in 2010 helped further

so when they sat down, they would

careers at Cianbro.

diversify Cianbro. It primarily provides in-

bro in 2009.

O N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

57

F E AT U R E S T O R Y ABOVE: Chuck, Helen, Ken and Evie traveling in Mykonos, Greece, 1994.

dustrial construction services to the oil and gas industry.

day. Those values of how you treat and take care of people,

With that acquisition, we accomplished two things: one,

how you give more than you take — that’s a familiar saying

it broadened our geographic footprint; it also opened

in our family — and how you work to better the commu-

up a new market, the oil and gas business. Prior to that,

nity you live and work in. And further, how you provide

Cianbro had limited experience in that market sector,

opportunities for other people to have successes in their

but saw great opportunity. One of my prime responsi-

careers or whatever their personal interests may be.”

bilities there was to ingrain the Cianbro culture into the newly acquired company.”

Phil Harriman has been Cianbro’s, and many Cianchette family members’ business succession and estate planning advisor for almost 35 years. He was in-

“It’s their values that were instilled not only

troduced to Bud, Chuck and Ken in 1989 or 1990 when

in our family but, very importantly, in the

covered that what they had for a Buy-Sell Agreement

Cianbro organization that continue to guide the company to this day.” — ­ P E T E R C I A N C H E T T E

he reviewed their shareholder arrangements and disbetween them and how the life insurance policies owned on each other were not synchronized, he said.

The company was coming out of some tough economic times then, Phil said, and it was not yet time for maintaining and surviving and getting through what

other companies: AZ Corporation in Connecticut and

was, as many people will remember, very high interest

RC Stevens in Florida, “which is Cianbro’s most recent

rates, inflation, a tough time. At the time, the profit

acquisition,” Peter said.

sharing plan owned 49 percent, and the three brothers

Asked about the Cianchette brothers’ legacy, Peter

owned 51 percent. They wanted to maintain the control

Cianchette said, “It’s their values that were instilled not

and obviously they were personally on the hook for the

only in our family but, very importantly, in the Cianbro

financial impact that may unfold,” Phil explained.

organization that continue to guide the company to this 58

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

Later, as the brothers retired, “acquiring their shares

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

100-percent employee ownership. “It was more about In addition to STARCON, Cianbro also owns two

of stock in the company gave way to the Management Incentive Program,” said Phil. “The Management Incentive Program was where the Cianchette brothers enabled, through bonuses, management employees to acquire shares in the company.”

The Management Incentive Plan, Phil said, was an “interim step to buy stock from the brothers and have the manage-

MEET HANNAH

She’s getting health insurance for her team

ment, not the profit-sharing plan, in control of the company.

“I helped them through that process, which led to, when Bud’s, Ken’s and Chuck’s shares were acquired, becoming a 100-percent employee stock owned company,” Phil said.

Along the way, the three brothers were also very instrumental in support-

MEET ROBERT

He reviewed his general liability policy with an agent

ing and nurturing Pete Vigue to become president of Cianbro in 1991, Phil said.

“Pete’s leadership got the ESOP plan fully implemented, which is an amazing credit to him. He made sure that not only ESOP was for the benefit of the employees, but also made sure there was proactive messaging with the workforce about how workforce safety, health and

MEET ANNABELLE

Who quoted renters insurance for her apartment

well-being, the culture of the workplace, contribute to the value of their stock and their ultimate retirement benefits.

“The Cianchette brothers were very conscious of the health and safety of their employees, but it was really Pete who made it a cultural and institutional guiding principal of the company,” Phil said.

Pete Vigue, Cianbro’s chairman of

MEET NICK

He’s comparing business owners policies

the board, served as president and eventually also as CEO until 2018 when his son, Peter “Andi” Vigue took on those roles. He attributes his strong stance on health and safety, in part, to the Cianchette brothers.

“There’s no tobacco here, no smoking area, no chew. We are trying to create a healthy environment for the people who work here, and also to set an example for the industry. We don’t sponsor anything with alcohol. I’ve never said no, not one time, no matter where it was,

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59

F E AT U R E S T O R Y ty because I think it’s my moral respon-

of the Cianchette brothers’ major ac-

ees would have ownership, so Ken went

sibility,” Pete said. “I have been taught to

complishments, as well, and one that

to D.C. to learn about ESOPs.”

do that; nobody told me to. We think it

evolved over time.

ESOPs weren’t common in the con-

is our responsibility to help others, not

“As early as 1964 they felt it was im-

struction industry, she said. “In 1979, they

just to take, but to give. Where did I learn

portant to share profits with the people

implemented the ESOP program. Em-

that? I wasn’t taught that in a class. All

who helped earn them, so they would

ployees started gaining ownership based

I am doing is emulating the behavior of

give out a Christmas bonus — the amount

on a vesting schedule.”

those who came before me. That makes

would vary based on how well the com-

In 2004, the ESOP became 100-per-

it pretty easy.”

pany had done that year,” she said. “By

cent employee owned. “Personally, I

Lynn Cianchette sees the Cianbro

the mid-1970s, they felt something more

think it’s the biggest legacy they left

Employee Stock Ownership Plan as one

formal was needed in which the employ-

behind because it does two things: the employees that have ownership of the

RIGHT: Three brothers and their wives together. Left to right are Ken and Evie, Bud and Priscilla, and Chuck and Helen, 1990.

60

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

company tend to have more responsibility for what they do because they know ‘this is my company and the decisions I make are going to impact me and everybody else,’ and also, during profitable years, they financially benefit from that, and I think it’s been many years since Cianbro has not had a profitable year. So it’s a great program,” Lynn said.

Ken’s grandson, Michael Cianchette, said others in the industry were a little dismayed.

“Employee ownership is more popular now than when Cianbro was one of

PHOTOS: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTOS

TOP: The six brothers and their wives out for an evening together.

Left to right are Chuck and Helen, Bud and Priscilla, Evie and Ken, Ethel and Clair, Marilyn and Norris, and Maureen and Carl, 1954.

the first to do it,” said Michael. “Shortly after Cianbro became employee owned, they had to constitute a board, since the brothers were no longer the owners. A gentleman from Texas joined the board, and my grandfather would tell the story that this gentleman leaned over to him and said, ‘What’s the deal with this employee owner stuff. It looks like socialism to me.’ And my grandfather said, ‘No, I believe every man working for himself is the highest form of capitalism.’”

That accomplishment and the Cianbro culture of people working hard for themselves and each other, as well as all the accolades the company has received “really come from their DNA,” Michael said.

Lynn said the Cianchette brothers’ other important legacy is the dictate to treat people with dignity and respect.

She hopes their management style will live on. “They allowed people to make mistakes. They wanted people’s input.

You don’t holler at people. That is not how to treat them. You may have to have a hard discussion, sure, but you don’t holler and certainly not in front of others. You don’t intimidate. You treat people with respect at work, at home, out in public; that is how you treat people.

I think of that as an important piece of Cianbro culture which I hope continues for as long as Cianbro continues — the way you treat people.”

LOOKING FORWARD, AND BACK Pete Vigue has been with Cianbro for 53 years. He’s known the Cianchette brothers since he was a child of 8 delivering their newspapers.

“One thing I always recognized, when I was out delivering newspapers at 5 a.m.,

make me feel like some little kid. They

6 a.m., was that they were off headed to

always treated me with utmost respect. I

work, and I always admired that. But yet,

never got over that.”

hiring early in 1970, “I asked for a job.”

Pete started out on a work crew on the Portland waterfront. It was less pay,

if I went to collect for the newspaper on

After high school, Pete attended the

a Saturday or Sunday, they would answer

Maine Maritime Academy, then worked

he said, “but the working environment provided what I needed most

the door and I would look up to these

at sea for a time. However, having worked

challenge to go to work every day and

people who were five times taller — not

on road construction for seven summers

build something. As a result, it worked

really five times, but they were huge —

as a student, he missed the challeng-

out well and over a period of years I was

and they treated me with tremendous re-

es presented by that industry. When he

able to climb the ladder and learn and

spect. They were very nice to me; didn’t

heard that the Cianchette brothers were

experience from wonderful people in

— the

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done a lot of unique things, with unique

we believe, and as result, the people of

great ride for me.”

geography, all over the country, and a lot

this organization have done some very

Pete said that each time he drives

of folks have asked me how and why and

unique and challenging things that one

Route 2 from Pittsfield to Skowhegan,

all of that, and it’s something you learn

would consider to be impossible. That

and passes by the Wesserunsett Stream,

and experience when you’re growing

mindset and attitude build a lot of in-

“I look to the right, and that was one

up, not just from a child to becoming an

terest in the hearts and minds of people

of the first bridges that not only the

adult, but as you experience life,” Pete

when they see what they can achieve and

Cianchette brothers, but their father

said.

accomplish, and that creates an atmo-

Ralph, built. That’s a Cianchette family

“When you get exposed to the right

sphere and people willing take on what-

bridge, and that bridge still stands today.

people and then get exposed to the

ever initiative or challenge is put before

For me, that’s an earmark; something to

right situations, you begin to believe

them. We’ve been able to do that here

be remembered.”

that anything is possible,” he said. “And

over and over again, and we continue to do it today, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Cianbro has continued to take big

those experiences have been not only an

swings over the decades since the broth-

education with the Cianchette brothers,

Pete chuckled, looking back at the

ers started out tackling high risk/high re-

but also for me. That’s a mindset and an

very different Cianchette brothers. “Each

ward projects. Over his 53 years, “we’ve

attitude. That’s the way we think, the way

one of them was unique. Each one had a

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

PHOTO: CIANCHETTE FAMILY PHOTO

F E AT U R E S T O R Y 62

this company, and here I am. It’s been a

Cianbro’s corporate office, Pittsfield, Maine.

different style and a different approach,” he said. “The elder brother, Carl, was the founder of the company.

I had the opportunity to get to know him. He was president of the senate in the state — a lot of people don’t know that.”

Carl was a person of high moral standards and a unique approach “that you could learn from,” Pete said. “There’s more to making a living and building a great project

— it’s a combination of

things — a responsibility to the people, to the community you live in, responsibility to the state that we live in, and not just

Family • Community Quality • Value

looking at how we benefit as an individuO N E VO I C E M A I N E / FA L L 2 0 2 3

63

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

our society, our world, our communities,

Chuck, Carl, Ken and Bud at the groundbreaking for Madison Paper, Madison, Maine, 1980.

our state continue to evolve. What was 70 years ago is different today,” Pete said.

“But, if you look back, when this company began in 1946, the world was very different then, but changed over a period of time on multiple occasions. If anything, because of their willingness to collaborate and work together but also to adapt to what was happening around them, that allowed them to succeed over time.

“Although the Cianchette brothers are no longer with us, be assured that they are still with us, in that we are working very hard to make sure they would be proud and happy with what we’ve accomplished and continue to do every

al or a company, but a responsibility for

the past. That is so important. That’s why

day, and I think we do that quite well, and

the fact that we live in the best country

we talk about it.”

it’s worked out very, very well,” Pete said.

in the world, and one of the best states

Pete, and by extension, Cianbro, be-

“It’s great to be forward thinking, but

in the country, and we are obligated to

lieves that every problem is an opportu-

once in a while you’ve got to look back

do more than just make a living here.

nity. The COVID-19 pandemic was such

and remember. There are so many les-

“What I learned by that behavior I

a problem. Rather than grind to a halt

sons to be learned. Be assured that those

was exposed to, was that we are not only

during the pandemic, Cianbro “contin-

who lead this company in the future will

responsible to look after ourselves and

ued to take on challenges and opportu-

not forget it, either.”

our family, but that you are responsible

nities,” building, in less than a year, three

With Cianbro gearing up to celebrate

to give back more than you take; we do

manufacturing facilities (two in Maine;

75 years in 2024, Lynn said a look back

that as a company,” Pete said. “We think

one in Tennessee) to provide the nation

was appropriate.

that’s important. We demonstrate that as

with COVID-19 testing swabs.

a company, as an organization, and it rubs

“We’d never worked in Tennessee

Bud’s been gone 14 years. I think the

off on the people you work with every day

before, but our country needed it, and it

Maine State Chamber’s recognition of

— perhaps the brothers didn’t talk about

happened. It was a very different opportu-

the brothers at this time is a great hon-

that but in many cases they behaved that

nity than a bridge, power plant, paper mill

or to acknowledge and pay tribute to

way, and as a result, we are emulating that,

or industrial facility. However, our country

them,” she said “It’s good to remind

as a company.”

was in need. The opportunity was there.

people who they were, what they did

Was it a problem? Absolutely, but we em-

and what their philosophy was. They had

braced it; we never hesitated,” Pete said.

their principles, and Cianbro is a result of

Looking back at the big financial risks and challenging projects that the Cianch-

64

“My dad’s been gone 23 years and

ette brothers took on to grow their fledg-

“Sometimes when the environment

that, but they also did so much for their

ling company, Pete said, “That’s America!

isn’t just right, not conducive to the

communities, their state and the nation.

It goes all the way back to the beginning,

way we think, it affects the way we act,”

I think it’s bigger than Cianbro. I think

to Ralph and the whole history there, and

he said. “We didn’t hunker down. We

they made some great contributions.”

… the challenges that immigrants went

opened our minds and went to work and

“My grandfather and his brothers

through and what it took for them to sur-

it was a great opportunity, so what’s the

had an abiding love for Maine and were

vive and succeed. This is yet another story

message to the people in our organiza-

always trying to find the ways they could,

of that evolution through the years not

tion? We can do it; never, ever say ‘can’t.’

both for themselves and others around

just for this family but immigrants across

It affects the way you think, the way you

them, make it better. ‘Leave things bet-

the county. It was a wonderful thing that

act. That’s the journey we’re on.

ter than you found them’ was certainly

made America unique, and will continue

“The philosophy we have is con-

their ethos, and more broadly, that’s the

to make America great today. We’re not

sistent with the philosophy that the

charge that remains to everyone else,

going to forget it. It isn’t about us. It’s

Cianchette brothers had, much broader

whether they are family or at Cianbro,”

about the future, but you also can’t forget

than perhaps they experienced because

Michael Cianchette said.

Maine State Chamber of Commerce

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