News at Means

We asked each staff member to share their best 2022 news – here’s what they said:

Eric Baker and his family made several visits to the beaches of South Carolina and the mountains of North Carolina in 2022. His daughter, Ellie, started her first year of middle school and is adjusting well. This year she turns 12 going on 16! After much research and planning, Erin Barry and her husband were thrilled to take their daughters, ages 2 and 4 at the time, for a week-long vacation to Disney in April. Visiting with the princesses and riding Splash Mountain were the highlights of the trip. Both girls are keeping them busy as they explore many different activities, including swimming lessons, dance, soccer and gymnastics. Denise Bither had a busy year, joining the Means Wealth family in May. In addition, she spent time with her hiking group, traversing many of Maine’s beautiful trails. She also honed her skills on the pickleball court, competing in a few local tournaments, and capped off her summer with a two-week trip to Italy, visiting Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Cinque Terre, Venice and Rome. Tamara and David Cust were able to enjoy two iconic rock and rollers this concert season. Aerosmith and Stevie Nicks performed at the waterfront concert venue in Bangor putting on great shows! David’s son, Jackson, got engaged to his partner, Tori Leonard, this summer. Susan Dietz took advantage of the beautiful Maine coast over the summer by taking scenic drives in the Bar Harbor and Castine areas. Acadia National Park is a family favorite with its stunning views. In March, Susan went to Florida, breaking up the cold winter with sunshine, warm temperatures, family visits and an awesome trip to Harry Potter World! Highlights of the year for Patti and John Dudley were a trip to Colorado to visit family and an extended Florida stay for Patti with several shorter visits by John. They continue to follow the exploits of their four grandsons. Grandsons Ethan, Eli and Easton are all in one school this year where mom Ashley works as an Ed Tech. Grandson Nathan loves spending time at his farm-based preschool where he gets to interact with all the farm animals. John enjoys yardwork and gardening around their house on the lake and Patti enjoys watching him work! Jessica Gioia and her husband celebrated 15 years of marriage this year. Jess joined our team in August as a Support Specialist, stepping into the role after being a stay-at-home mom of six kids (ages 18 months – 13 years) for 13 years. Jess moved to Maine from Colorado a few years ago, and feels accomplished to have survived two Maine winters.

Dawn Hatch and her husband, Rob, took several trips on their side-by-side, including an overnight trip where they left from their own house and traveled to Northern Maine and back (about 300 miles round trip!). They also welcomed two additional grandchildren this year, born only 3 weeks apart: Cece and Cash. TJ Herlihy started the year by joining the Means Wealth team in January. The highlight of his summer was spending time at the beach with his family. His two boys, Kiernan and Camden, started 4th grade and Pre-K, respectively, this fall. TJ and his wife, Emily, even managed a few nights away from the boys. He is now spending his time studying for the CFP exam. Following grandkids’ athletic events was and will continue to be a full-time job this year for Cindi and Wes Leighton, with college, prep school, high school and middle school events to watch and enjoy. They are looking forward to attending their granddaughter’s high school graduation in Georgia in 2023! Alex Means and his wife, Katie, found out about an addition to their family earlier this year: Eloise (Elle) was born in November 2022. Alex is particularly looking forward to the expansion of Means Wealth in Greenville, SC, with our new office set to open in December. And after a few years of not being able, Alex and Katie brought their family, including sons Noah (4) and Miles (almost 3), up to Maine for a week this summer to spend time with family and their grandparents, Mimi and Papa. David Means and his wife, Kathryn, enjoyed traveling to the beaches of South Carolina and Florida this past year, and spending time in Maine. Their son, Chase, has kept them busy playing soccer and their daughter, Harper, continues to enjoy swimming, basketball and volleyball. Dave is excited to have transitioned to Means Wealth this past August after 15 years at Wells Fargo Advisors. Rachel & Paul Means welcomed their seventh grandchild and third granddaughter, Elle, in November 2022. They are continuing to work on building their summer house on Sebec Lake and hope it will be completed by February 2023. Most of all, Rachel and Paul have been thoroughly enjoying spending time with their sons’ families in Maine and South Carolina.

Bailey and Zach Means enjoyed the summer playing on the lake with Wyatt (9), Evie (7), and their beloved golden retriever, Mazy (10). Evie and Wyatt did plenty outside primarily swimming, boating and fishing off the dock. Most recently, this fall, the kids enjoyed soccer and plan on playing basketball throughout the winter. The entire family (Mazy maybe most!) is excited for the snow to fly so they can do some winter sledding and ice-fishing. Wendy Porter and her husband, David, welcomed a new grandson this year. Noah is the first child of their son, Brian, and daughter-in-law, Brianna. Noah joins their three other grandchildren Emmy, Nathan and Claire. Wendy and David spent a magical vacation with the older grandchildren (and their parents) at Disney last spring.

News at Means Cont.

John and Kris Selleck, along with daughter, Sophie, have enjoyed cheering for their other daughter, Erin’s, soccer teams this year. The Hermon Lady Hawks soccer team won the Northern Maine Class B Championship this fall! Sarabeth and Jamie Stone, along with their children, Asher (9), Elias (7) and Samuel (4), moved from Lewis Center, OH, to Easley, SC, in January, and Jamie started at Means Wealth in February. The Stones moved into their new home in Easley at the end of February. They have been exploring upstate South Carolina ever since and in October added Tula, a five-month-old puppy from Pickens Humane Society, to the family. In addition, we are excited to announce that Michele Manion joined our team in Bangor, Maine in November as our new Accounting Clerk. Also in 2022, we started work on the building we purchased at 325 Augusta Road in Greenville, South Carolina. The project has included renovating the existing structure while adding an approximate 1,000 square foot addition. We look forward to finishing the renovations in December and welcoming our clients in the new space in 2023!

“This represents an exciting new chapter in the long history of our family firm. Having an opportunity to expand our outreach and become fully integrated in the community by positioning ourselves in the heart of downtown Greenville is something I have long hoped to accomplish.” -Alex Means