Sun Journal's Profile 2015

Our annual celebration of professional success recognizing organizations and individuals who positively impact the local business community.

PROFILE 2015

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Common theme of pride among workers

By David A. Sargent Feature Writer

I

t was 10 yea rs ago when Wa lma rt’s massive dist ribut ion center opened on A lfred Plourde Park way in south Lewiston. The scale of that project was unprecedented for Maine in terms of land moving and construction of a building bigger than 20 football fields.

However, it’s not the physical structure that is being hailed as most significant on this first-decade anniversary.

It’s the people.

A few days ago, four associates and four managers sat down in the center’s Red Sox Conference Room, next to another that’s called the Patriots Room. They were there to discuss their experiences in recent years. The four managers have worked at the Lewiston facility since its start up. Four have advanced to ma nagement posit ions f rom hourly employment.

Rich Bourget, who is general manager at the Lewiston facility, said over 60 percent of the overall management team at the Lewiston Walmart distribution center moved up the ladder from initial hourly employment. He said the facility’s 519 associates include 271 associates with more than five years on the Walmart team.

These managers in the conference room were relatively young men and women, but the distribution center’s overall workforce runs the whole range of ages. “ We i nve st a g reat de a l of t i me on development w h ich leads to engaged a s s o c i a t e s a n d m a n a g e r s ,” B ou r g e t sa id. “These a re t he people who drive engagement.”

There was a common theme of pride and accomplishment as the managers related their experiences.

Jaime Barry recalled her start at Walmart, working mostly in receiving.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. It didn’t take long for her to realize that she would fit right in. From that start on the loading docks, Barry moved through four different areas of human resources and production.

Karen Murphy, who is a Dr y Receiv ing Hauler, was among the ver y first group of associates to join the new distribution center. That was in May 2005. She was there to receive the first pallet off-loaded from a tractor trailer. It was a big change from her background of 12 years as a waitress, but Murphy remembered how excited she was with her totally new future. She said she had a six-year goal.

“I wanted to be one of the first people to train others,” and she has attained that goal. She has trained many Walmart associates and managers on power equipment.

Brittany Parker, who is dry receiving area manager, came to Maine from Pennsylvania to join this Walmart team. She had a nursing background. W hen the Walmart facility began advertising for associates, she said she decided this presented a good opportunity for her and, she added, she was ready for “something different.”

Parker said in the very first month she was conv inced she wanted to advance w ith Walmart. That proved to be true for her. She has been a manager for the past eight years.

“There are so many avenues you can go down,” Parker said. “It makes me proud to be working for such a respected company.”

Jena Kivus, who is the central receiving office manager, was a young mother in 2005

“We invest a great deal of time on development which leads to engaged associates and managers,” Bourget said. “These are the people who drive engagement.”

Rich Bourget when she came to the brand-new Walmart operation. She began in central receiving and moved on to maintenance. She had high praise for Walmart’s education programs.

“They give you confidence in your abilities and chances to move on to the next level,” she said.

Ransom Hoar, who is a dry shipping order filler, began his employment in October of 2005. The gigantic structure is divided between warehousing for dry non-perishable food items and a refrigerated section for produce, meat, dairy, deli, and frozen items.

Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Photos

Top photo: Dylan Nadeau adds a case of dry goods to his motorized forklift as he maneuvers up and down the aisles of the massive warehouse as he fills orders at the Walmart Distribution Center in Lewiston. Above Corey McAuliffe loads cases of yogurt onto pallets at the Walmart Distribution Center in Lewiston.

Hoar commented that he was impressed from the beginning in the way Walmart’s w or k e r s , f r om h ou r l y a s s o c i a t e s t o ma nagement, a re a lways helping each other. He also said it’s gratifying to see the company’s involvement in the community.

Nesa Perron, who is the freezer dairy deli receiving manager, said her first day at t he huge distribution center was a bit frightening.

“I thought I was going to get lost,” she decla red. She soon rea l i zed t hat “t he opportunities were fantastic.”

Lori Bureau, who is an asset protection associate, started at the distribution facility in 2006. She expressed appreciation for the way the Walmart operation in Lewiston “seems like a family.”

Howard Jones, a freezer dairy deli receiving associate, remembered his first thoughts when he began his employment.

“Maybe this could become a career for me over the coming years,” he said.

Jones recognized that the distribution center offered solid job security. Not only does it provide its people with job security, it also serves to create more and more jobs.

M ichel le W h ite, a qua l it y a s su r a nc e associate, recalled how she moved up from hauler to order filler, along with Murphy and Parker.

W h ite s a id t he d i st r ibut ion c enter ’s managers constantly aim “to find what works best for you.”

They a ll commented on the company’s commitment to rewarding good workers with appropriate pay raises.

“That’s a big thing here,” Hoar agreed. He pointed out that good work earns awards and recognition, as well as advancement up the pay scale and in responsibility. “The associates here are not taken for granted,” he said.

Barr y said she is confident that all the associates throughout the Lewiston facility “have respect for management.” That comes from managers being truly concerned about the people they work with, she said.

The managers’ comments also included thoughts from Jillian Fox whose career path included positions in receiving and human resources. She’s now the general manager’s assistant.

After being unloaded from a delivery truck, a pallet of food rolls through an automated conveyor system that measures, weighs and gives it a unique name so it can be cataloged and automatically stored in the massive inventory of refridgerated goods that will soon be "picked" when needed at the Walmart Distribution Center in Lewiston.

Quarterly training ta kes place w ith a ll managers, with the ultimate goal of making the Lewiston distribution center a clean, safe and productive operation. In addition to that, Bourget said it’s important that all associates enjoy their work.

A major it y of t he L ew iston locat ion’s associates are residents of Lewiston, Auburn, and severa l surrounding communities.

Bourget said some commute a significant distance to their jobs here. One worker has a two-hour commute. That’s an indication that they place a high value on Walmart employment, Bourget said.

“I’m working for them; they’re not working for me. There are great opportunities to learn and advance here,” according to Bourget.

He noted that Walmart’s footprint is global which presents a tremendous opportunity for advancement.

Each day t hey deliver products to 130 Walmart stores as far north as Presque Isle in Aroostook County and as far south as New Haven in Connecticut.

“Because of the efficiencies here, we play a big role in keeping the costs of goods down,” Bourget ex pla ined. “We a re impact ing millions of people in our service area.”

There were some similar comments from others around the table.

About four months ago a feature story in the Lewiston Sun Journal by staff writer Dan

Hartill outlined the $60-million project’s development and its immense scope. The article said it was necessary to move almost six-trillion pounds of earth at the site before construction could begin.

The Lewiston facility is one of 158 such facilities in the country, according to the Walmart website. Only three centers exist in New England. The other two are in New Hampshire.

Each is larger than 1-million-square feet with up to 12 miles of conveyor belts moving 5.5-billion cases of merchandise. According to the website, every distribution center supports 90 to 100 stores in a 200-mile radius.

Lewiston officials worked hard to maintain confidentiality before the project’s blockbuster announcement.

In Hartill’s article, Phil Nadeau, Lewiston’s deputy administrator, is quoted saying, “Wa lma r t delivered exact ly what t hey promised.”

The story also had high praise from Greg M itchel l, who wa s L ew iston’s deput y administrator 10 years ago at the start of the project and is now Portland’s economic development director.

Mitchell said, “It was definitely a gamechanger in the community. I don’t know that people today understand that or appreciate it. It changed people’s lives.”

Apply to become a Walmart Associate in person at

Distribution Center

31 Alfred Plourde Parkway Lewiston, Maine 04240 Phone: 207-344-2700 or www.walmartstores.com\careers

PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

ADVERTISER INDEX Development

Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce ...................................................... 21 Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments ....................................... 18 Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council ........................................ 19 Platz Associates ........................................................................................... 20

Sun Journal 104 Park Street PO Box 4400 Lewiston, ME 04243

Finance

Franklin Savings Bank ................................................................................. 22 Mechanics Savings Bank ............................................................................. 23 Modern Woodmen .....................................................................................24 Monmouth Federal Credit Union ............................................................... 23 Northeast Bank .............................................................................................24 Rainbow Federal Credit Union ................................................................... 22

Lewiston 207.784.5411

Health

Androscoggin Home Health ......................................................................... 4 Central Maine Medical Center ...................................................................... 7 Lisbon Family Dental .................................................................................... 5 Maine General ............................................................................................... 4 Montello Heights Retirement Center ........................................................... 6 Pediatric Associates ...................................................................................... 9 Pine Tree Orthopedic Lab .............................................................................. 6 The Meadows Living Center .......................................................................... 8

Farmington 207.778.6772 Rumford 207.364.8728 Norway 207.743.9228

Home & Leisure

American Concrete ..................................................................................... 14 Fieldings Oil & Propane Co., Inc. ................................................................. 16 Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader .................................................... 14 Hammond Lumber Company .................................................................... 13 L&S Windows .............................................................................................. 15 Portland Sea Dogs .......................................................................................... 3 R.S. Osgood & Sons ........................................................................................ 16 Roopers ........................................................................................................ 10 Sun Journal .................................................................................................. 12 Walmart Distribution Center .................................................................. 1 & 2

The Sun Journal’s 2015 Annual Business Profile again covers a wide range of organizations from across our readership area.

Development, Finance, Health, Home & Leisure and Community are reviewed in detail.

Large and small businesses offer in-depth editorial insight and photos to illustrate what makes them unique and successful.

5/8 5/9

Community

Great Falls Balloon Festival ......................................................................... 11 Healthy Androscoggin ............................................................................... 17 New Beginnings .......................................................................................... 17 United Way .................................................................................................... 8 YWCA ......................................................................................................... 18

MAY PROMOTIONS

CIVIL RIGHTS DAY

2015 PORTLAND SEA DOGS SCHECULE

MADE POSSIBLE BY ELECTRICITY MAINE MAINE HIGHWAY SAFETY MOTORCYCLE NIGHT

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

COURTESY OF GENERAL DYNAMICS BATH IRON WORKS

5/10 MOTHER’S DAY 5K ROAD RACE 9:15AM START OF RACE KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting)

5/11 GOOD NEIGHBOR NIGHT “MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY 5/19 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT 5/20 ALL THE HAIR YOU CAN SPARE PRESENTED BY 99.9 THE WOLF & AKARI

MOST IMPROVED STUDENT GAME

SPONSORED BY NEXTGEN COLLEGE INVESTING PLAN

HARNESS AT HADLOCK NIGHT

MAINE HARNESS HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

5/21 THROWBACK THURSDAY – CIVIL WAR NIGHT 5/22 FIREWORKS SHOW AFTER THE GAME

MADE POSSIBLE BY U.S. CELLULAR SEA DOGS DANCE TEAM PERFORMANCE WOODSIDE ONE WHEELERS PRE-GAME PERFORMANCE

5/23 MOST IMPROVED STUDENT GAME

SPONSORED BY NEXTGEN COLLEGE INVESTING PLAN

5/24 MOST IMPROVED STUDENT GAME

SPONSORED BY NEXTGEN COLLEGE INVESTING PLAN

SUPER HERO DAY AT THE BALLPARK

APPEARANCE BY CAPTAIN AMERICA KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting)

5/25 MOST IMPROVED STUDENT GAME

SPONSORED BY NEXTGEN COLLEGE INVESTING PLAN “MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY

6/2 6/5 6/6 6/7

JUNE PROMOTIONS

CHRISTIAN VAZQUEZ BOBBLEHEAD TO THE FIRST 1,000 FANS

MADE POSSIBLE BY U.S. CELLULAR

4H DAY AT HADLOCK FIELD UNUM TEACHERS HALL OF FAME GIRL POWER FITNESS PRE-GAME PERFORMANCE PLAY CATCH ON THE FIELD 10:00AM – 11:15AM SCLERODERMA AWARENESS DAY

KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting)

6/16 GOODWILL DONATION DRIVE

PRESENTED BY GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND

6/17 WELCOME TO “SUMMER” JIMMY BUFFET NIGHT WASHING WEDNESDAY COURTESY OF VIC’S APPLIANCE CENTER 6/18 FIREWORKS SHOW AFTER THE GAME SEA DOGS DANCE TEAM PERFORMANCE

THROWBACK THURSDAY – 80’S NIGHT FEATURING

MAINE GHOSTBUSTERS & BACK TO THE FUTURE EXHIBITS

6/21 FATHER’S DAY 5K ROAD RACE 9:15AM START OF RACE 6/27 MAINE DAIRY NIGHT 6/28 “TOUCH A TRUCK” - MAINE MOTOR TRANSPORTATION ASSOC.

“TRUCKING MOVES AMERICA FORWARD” MILITARY APPRCIATION DAY – GENERAL DYNAMICS BATH IRON

WORKS

6/29 NASCAR NIGHT PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT 6/30 HARD HAT GIVEAWAY PRESENTED BY AGC MAINE (all promotions are subject to change)

7/3

8/1

JULY PROMOTIONS

FIREWORKS SHOW AFTER THE GAME FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV

SEA DOGS DANCE TEAM PERFORMANCE 7/10 ZOOPERSTARS PERFORM AT HADLOCK FIELD FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SUBSCRIBER NIGHT 7/11 MDA “JERSEY OFF THEIR BACKS NIGHT” COURTESY OF CN BROWN & BIG APPLE STORES

7/12 PRINCESS & PIRATE PARTY

WITH A SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY ARIEL AND A PIRATE

L.L. BEAN DAY

KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting) 7/13 “MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY

7/15 EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR CLASSIC PRESENTED BY SULLIVAN TIRE 7/20 HENRY OWENS BOBBLEHEAD TO THE FIRST 1,000 FANS COURTESY OF IRVING OIL

“MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY 7/21 SALVATION ARMY NIGHT CHRISTMAS IN JULY COME SEE SANTA AND HIS ELF 7/22 WASHING WEDNESDAY COURTESY OF VIC’S APPLIANCE CENTER 7/23 THROW BACK THURSDAY – ANTIQUE CAR NIGHT 7/24 FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV FANTASY FOOTBALL NIGHT L.L. BEAN DAY AT HADLOCK FIELD 7/25 MAINE STATE LOTTERY DAY 7/26 KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting) 7/30 THROWBACK THURSDAY – DISCO NIGHT FEATURING A PERFORMANCE BY MOTOR BOOTY AFFAIR 7/31 FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT FEATURING JASON GRAY CONCERT FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV BARK IN THE PARK BROUGHT TO YOU BY PLANET DOG

8/2 8/11 8/12 8/14 8/15 8/16

8/24 8/26 9/4

9/5 9/6

9/7

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER PROMOTIONS

FIREWORKS SHOW AFTER THE GAME COURTESY OF NEW ENGLAND FORD MAINE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME SEA DOGS DANCE TEAM PERFORMANCE PLAY CATCH ON THE FIELD 10:00AM – 11:15AM KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting) MOOKIE BETTS BOBBLEHEAD TO THE FIRST 1,000 FANS COURTESY OF BATH SAVINGS INSTITUTION HALLOWEEN NIGHT – MAINE GHOSTBUSTERS WASHING WEDNESDAY COURTESY OF VIC’S APPLIANCE CENTER FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV AAA NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND NIGHT DODGE AUTO GROUP STAR WARS NIGHT AT HADLOCK FIELD U.S. CELLULAR NIGHT MAINE STATE LOTTERY DAY AT THE BALLPARK PORTLAND PIE CO. DAY KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER EVERY SUNDAY GAME SPONSORED BY BON TON (weather permitting) “MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY FIREWORKS SHOW AFTER THE GAME COURTESY OF PEOPLESCHOICE CREDIT UNION SEA DOGS DANCE TEAM PERFORMANCE FLAT SCREEN FRIDAY COURTESY OF DAVID MUNSTER’S TV SEA DOGS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT PRESENTED BY UNUM BARK IN THE PARK COURTESY OF IDEXX GRANDPARENTS & GRANDKIDS APPRECIATION NIGHT COURTESY OF MARTIN’S POINT HEALTH CARE ANNUAL “FIELD OF DREAMS” GAME PRESENTED BY NEXTGEN COLLEGE INVESTING PLAN DODGE AUTO GROUP KIDS RUN THE BASES POST GAME (weather permitting) TEAM AWARDS GAME “MOMDAY” COURTESY OF SUN TAN CITY (all promotions are subject to change)

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PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

AndroscogginHomeCareandHospice

By Rich Livingston Feature Writer

COMPASSION. QUALITY. INTEGRITY. Coming home from the hospital can be, for some people, as frightening as being admitted in t he f irst place. The most important priorit y is to hea l, recover, to simply feel better. But the realities of daily life can be complicated, and having accessible supportive care is crucial. That’s the role of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Maine’s largest independent home care and hospice agency, now approaching a half century of commitment to its patients and communities.

Serving more than 10,000 patients in more than 122 communities in parts of seven counties, AHCH has a staff of more than 400 and more than 250 dedicated, welltrained and compassionate volunteers.

The organization provides a continuum of home-centered health care ser vices

ranging from skilled nursing for patients recently discharged from a hospital, often post surgery; chronic disease management; supportive care for assistance with the activities of daily living; and palliative end of life support in patients’ own homes or in the Hospice House.

Helpi ng people avoid re-ad m issions to hospita ls, as wel l as recover f rom treatments, the AHCH Skilled Home Care Program offers a full range of high-quality nursing, therapy, social work, personal care, specialty and volunteer services, all tailored to meet the needs of patients as they recover from a short-term illness or injury.

The agency also helps patients manage lifetime conditions, such as diabetes, and provides essential respite services in support of family caregivers. More than 375 healthcare practitioners refer patients to AHCH, and homecare services are among the most cost-efficient means of ensuring consistent patient recovery and progress.

Completing the arc of compassionate care, AHCH added in-home hospice care to its range of services in 1982, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Hospice House, in Auburn, Maine’s first in-patient hospice care facility. The agency also offers supportive care services -- quality home-based non-medical care -that are flexible, cost-effective alternatives to long-term residential care.

Julie Shackley, president and CEO, has said, “The core of our mission is to provide the most supportive, professional, complete home-based healthcare services possible, we are also proud of the fact that we’ve been able to stay in front of clinical advances that help enable folks to age more gracefully, stay in their own homes and communities as long as possible, w it h dignit y a nd comfort.”

Moira Kieran photo

Everything the agency does is designed to help patients and families derive the most that their lifestage will permit, to enhance the richness of everyday experiences, of family and other relationships, promote healing, comfort and serenity.

A HCH has for med pa r t nerships w it h Togus Veterans’ Hospital and with the We Honor Veterans organization to provide veteran-to-veteran hospice counseling and support by a cadre of specially trained and equipped volunteers who are themselves veterans of the armed forces.

In order to provide these services, AHCH had to achieve “Level 1 Status” with the veterans’ groups, which required that education centered on veteran patients and end-of-life support be available for hospice

15 Strawberry Avenue Lewiston, Maine 04240 207-777-7740 staff and volunteers to review. Hospice staff and volunteers also had to review and familiarize themselves with the military history checklist, which is then introduced into the referral/intake process to better understand and care for the unique needs of military patients and their families.

A big part of the original mission of AHCH was, according to staffer Bobbi Kimball, to “meet them where they’re at,” to bring lifeaffirming care directly to patients, instead of the other way around. Among the most recent innovations in the ways the agency does that is to equip volunteers who visit Alzheimer patients with new “Forget Me Not” activity kits, filled with all sorts of activities, images, pre-school level games; vintage photos; sewing supplies and tasks.

Gini Haines photo

Helping people avoid re-admissions to hospitals, as well as recover from treatments, the AHCH Skilled Home Care Program offers a full range of highquality nursing, therapy, social work, personal care, specialty and volunteer services, all tailored to meet the needs of patients as they recover from a shortterm illness or injury.

The volunteer engagements a re more supportive, nurturing a nd f un for a ll involved. One elderly patient observed recently, “I used to do that with my mother.”

From the perspective of the Androscoggin staff, it doesn’t get any better than that.

“We are,” said Shackley, “all about quality of life, and this is just one of the newest ways we can demonstrate that.”

Everything the agency does is designed to help patients and families derive the most that their lifestage will permit, to enhance the richness of everyday experiences, of family and other relationships, promote healing, comfort and serenity.

T he agenc y ’s m i ssion i s completely compat ible w it h t he desi res of most of us to simply stay home, stay in our familiar surroundings, our community, a mong f r iends a nd fa m i ly ; to avoid hospita li zat ions, recover quick ly a nd t horoug h ly f rom su r ger ie s, i nju r ie s or i l l ness ; to be t he best we ca n be.

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice will be here to help.

Gini Haines photo

The organization provides a continuum of homecentered health care services ranging from skilled nursing for patients recently discharged from a hospital, often post surgery; chronic disease management; supportive care for assistance with the activities of daily living; and palliative end of life support in patients’ own homes or in the Hospice House.

MaineGeneral Services at Winthrop Commerce Plaza A full spectrum of health care services close to home or work, where and when you need them — at the Winthrop Commerce Plaza in downtown Winthrop. Our staff is warm and welcoming while offering the most advanced technology, right in your backyard.

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624-3800

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Winthrop Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

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If you have questions about MaineGeneral’s services, call toll-free 1-855-4MGH-INFO

PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

By David Sargent Feature Writer “Family” is right up there in the name of Lisbon Family Dental Care, and when Dr. Jenna Pulk ka’s brand-new building and dental practice opened on April 13, family was the focus from the start.

“It’s a dream that’s come to life,” she said as she recently walked the unfinished rooms of the new building at 568 Lisbon Road in Lisbon Falls. Dr. Jenna Pulkka and her husband, Kristian, will head the new practice. Kristian will be manager of the practice. He has a business background in software sales, and has been doing consulting work for the last few years.

Dr. Jenna (she prefers that informality for her name) said Lisbon Family Dental Care will provide general dentistry for all, including children, adults and elderly patients.

Kamden playing with a toy laptop.

There’s another principal in the practice who is sure to be making frequent appearances at the Lisbon Family Dental Care facility. That is Kamden Pulkka, who was nine months old when work toward opening the new practice began in September of 2014. He is now 16 months old.

Her decision to launch her own practice followed a period of partnership with her father that ended in August of 2014. “I really learned a lot from my father,” Dr. Jenna stated. “I am excited to combine that knowledge with my own ideas and help my vision for LFDC become a reality.”

Kamden has been accorded the title of “Director of Being Adorable.” He’s already got a considerable number of followers, thanks to an adorable assortment of photos on the practice’s Facebook page, w w w.facebook.com/ lisbonfamilydentalcare.

Dr. Jenna and Kristian had some discussions on where they wanted to open their practice. Dr. Jenna confirmed Lisbon Falls has always been the target.

Dr. Jenna attended Durham Elementary and moved on to Brunswick High School where she graduated with high honors in 1998. From there, she attended Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. where she majored in psychobiology.

At Union she also minored in Spanish and did a semester abroad in Mexico, where in addition to falling in love with the local cuisine, she also became fluent in Spanish.

"I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field helping people," Dr. Jenna recalled. "It ended up coming down to a choice between becoming a doctor or a dentist. Since dentistry runs in the family, I ultimately ended up choosing to go to UConn." She attended the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry, where she excelled academically, yet still had time to do one of her passions -- volunteer work.

In 2006, Dr. Jenna spearheaded a group of dental students who traveled to a remote area in the country of Belize on a humanitarian trip. While there, they performed dentistry on hundreds of local children, many of whom had never been to a dentist. "It was a truly humbling experience, and honestly one of the most rewarding things I have ever accomplished."

After graduating from UCONN in 2007 with both the Samuel S. Feuer Prize, which is awarded to the senior with the highest scholastic four-year average, and the UCONN Faculty Award for Student Most Likely To Succeed, Dr. Jenna was one of 10 dental students selected from hundreds of qualified applicants for the University of Florida's Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, which included a year-long intensive hands-on curriculum with a strong concentration in proper diagnosis and treatment planning.

“It’s a community of really nice people. I am so excited that this long journey is almost over and I can begin practicing dentistry in my very own office,” she said, and Kristian agreed.

“This is definitely where we want to put our roots down,” he said.

Dr. Jenna said this town’s residents, and those in nearby towns, deserve quality dental care. She also looks forward to the kind of dental practice where friends and neighbors will be meeting each other in the waiting room.

“Lisbon Falls is where I really want to spend my career," Dr. Jenna said. She has found that she has lots of community support for the new practice.

Dr. Jenna loves to spend time with her family, read and travel, and she has a passion for food. Since the addition of Kamden, the Pulkkas have kept their traveling to day trips, frequently taking road trips all over Maine.

“One of the main reasons I chose to become a dentist is that you can really have a family life in a dentistry career,” she said.

In addition to Dr. Jenna and Kristian, they will be starting with one hygienist, one assistant and a receptionist. Dr. Jenna and Kristian emphasized that patient education will be a priority for Lisbon Family Dental Care.

“We will be working hard to maintain good communication with patients,” Kristian said. “It’s important that we fully explain the recommended treatment plan, and then we can customize the plan after working closely with patients on their insurance and financing options.” He said the practice will accept CareCredit Financing and all dental insurances, including MaineCare.

“Building from the ground up lets you set things up just the way you want it,” Dr. Jenna said.

“When we realized we wanted to own a building instead of leasing, we started looking around the area,” she said, adding that they looked at a few other buildings in addition to the Subway Plaza.

“Ultimately we decided the location was perfect. I love that we are in a building that the town is already familiar with, across the street from the pharmacy and within easy walking distance to the high school,” Dr. Jenna said.

David Sargent photo

Dr. Jenna and Kristian stand outside the under-construction dental practice.

Kristian Pulkka photo

Dr. Jenna

The new sign, with their new logo, appeared on the roadside Subway Plaza sign on March 5, officially identifying the structure that had been under construction at the site in the preceding weeks. Lisbon Hair Salon is also located in space at Subway Plaza.

David Sargent photo

Looking at plans.

Dr. Jenna likes the variety of the businesses that share a building with Lisbon Family Dental Care. “I like the fact that people can come get their teeth cleaned, get a haircut and then grab a sub for the road!" she said with a smile.

Purchase of the property was finalized in December, and construction began on the day after the closing. Contractor for the new building is RDB Construction of Auburn. The building configuration is an L-addition to the small strip mall’s Subway sandwich shop. Dimensions are about 100 feet long by 30 feet wide, for a total of approximately 2,875-square feet. It’s on the north side of the commercial area and there is ample parking space.

The entrance to the practice opens onto the spacious waiting room and reception desk. At the entrance is a consultation room and, on each side of the corridor is space for fully-equipped operatories for patient examination and treatment. The new building also has a laboratory, sterilization room, patient restrooms, as well as staff restrooms, and there is a business office at the end of the corridor.

“This will be a digital practice,” Dr. Jenna said. “We will have all the latest technology. It’s really exciting.”

Henry Shein Dental, based in Melville, New York, a major dental supply company, provided input on functional design of the several rooms, as well as guidance on choice and installation of the facility’s state-of-the-art dental equipment.

Patient rooms will feature the latest amenities in diagnostic equipment, and more importantly, patient comfort. Each room will have heated and massaging dental chairs waiting for every patient. There will be f lat-screen televisions in every patient operatory that will be tuned to your favorite channel every time you come in.

Noise-cancelling headphones will add to the comfort and relaxation of patients.

High-tech digital cameras will be able to show patients exactly what the dentist sees. That makes it much more convenient and effective to understand how and why each treatment plan is recommended.

“It’s all aimed at making the experience as comfortable, quick and painless as possible,” Dr. Jenna said.

Kristian said the practice will open with four examination and treatment rooms, and that can be increased to six or seven in the near future. Construction has been planned to accommodate quick expansion of the practice, he said.

They are planning on doing an open house once the weather warms up. “We are going to be redoing the parking lot and adding some landscaping, but unfortunately we have to wait for the snow to melt first,” Kristian stated, adding, “We will make sure to advertise our open house well ahead of time, and hope to see everyone there.”

The hours for Lisbon Family Dental Care will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

The Ladies Of LFDC: Chelsey, Dr. Jenna, Kim and Amanda.

Lisbon Family Dental Health is accepting new patients. For information or an appointment, call 207-407-4301.

5

6

PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Worry-Free Assisted Living Retirement Community

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HEIGHTS 550 College Street, Lewiston Retirement Community

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DO YOU SUFFER FROM FOOT, KNEE OR BACK PAIN? WE CAN HELP!

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PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

“At CMHVI, patients are an essential part of the conversation about their own heart health. They are at the center of everything we do.”

Medical Direc

Andrew C. Eisenhauer, M.D. aine

tor, Central M

Heart & Vasc

ular Institute

It’s Your Heart.

It’s Your Choice.

Central Maine Heart & Vascular Institute

A full-service heart and vascular center Society of Thoracic Surgeons top-rated heart surgery program First accredited Chest Pain Center in Maine and the only designated Center with Primary PCI (emergency angioplasty) by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care

Kevin Morneault, D.O

Aaron Tebbs, M.D.

Carmine Frumiento, M.D.

Paul Weldner, M.D.

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Regional leader in lung cancer CT screening and minimally invasive (MI) lung cancer surgery Cardiologists with expertise in interventional procedures, including angioplasty and heartbeat rhythm disorders Surgeons skilled in open heart surgery, minimally invasive heart valve surgery, chest surgery, and surgery involving blood vessels

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Michael Ricci, M.D.

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It’s your choice.

It’s all here.

7

8

PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

By Jackie Rybeck Feature Writer

tour The Meadows and say they are not ready yet,” said Laliberte.

“But the saddest thing to hear is ‘I wish I would have come sooner; I’m having so much fun now and it’s everything I’ve ever needed.’”

The Meadows is a home-st yle liv ing center for self-sufficient seniors, a place where residents call it more than comfortable living -- they call it home.

Lauriane

Kay and Bob

Ron and Muriel

Marie

Whether you walk in as a resident or a v isitor, you are welcomed with warm smiles and the aroma of a homemade meal and desserts escaping from the kitchen.

Life at the Meadows is self-directed and all residents have the freedom to come and go as they please, choosing to be private, socially active or both. The facility, located on a country setting in Greene, has 25 spacious rooms, available in two different sizes where each member or couple enjoys their own private bathroom, 24-hour emergency call button service, as well as laundry facilities. Also included in the low monthly price are three delicious meals a day.

Bei ng able to socia l i ze is a n important part of many peoples' lives and The Meadows has many common areas to enjoy such as a TV and game room, computer

Herbert

Barbara, Gerry and Cheryl r oom, l ibr a r y, s e w i ng room, outdoor patios and an in-house beauty salon where all the gossip can be found. These amenities also allow residents to maintain healthy lifestyles encouraged by movement and socializing with their peers.

Just si x miles f rom dow ntow n L ew iston-Aubu r n, i nd iv idua ls may engage in scheduled events a long w it h outside excursions such as shopping and dining as well as transportation to nearby appointments.

The Meadows is privately owned and managed by Rebecca Laliberte a nd her pr om i s e to pr ov ide exceptional experiences every day.

“Sen ior l iv i ng opt ions a re important and many times people

Alice

Evelyn

Laliberte is dedicated to providing a warm, caring and safe, living atmosphere as well. The groundlevel facility is fully equipped with handicapped accessibility, ramps, railings and other items to meet the needs of each resident. For extra safety measures, The Meadows a lso has a n a l l-encompassing generator and sprinkler system.

And, although The Meadows is a private residence and not a nursing home, Laliberte lives onsite for 24-hour emergencies.

Living at The Meadows is similar to living at home with all the play and none of t he work. Instead of mowing lawns and shoveling snow, residents are found gathered around the card table or dining at a local restaurant; feeding the goats or shopping at t he ma ll; researching on the computer or competing in a pool tournament.

Room rates at The Meadows fit anyone’s budget and preference

Becky Laliberte

for singles or couples and start at just $900. All room prices include three, home-cooked meals a day, a 24-hour snack and cereal bar, housekeeping and linen services as well as weekly transportation.

For more information, contact L a l i b e r t e a t 2 0 7- 9 4 6 - 3 0 0 7, R L a l ib3967 @ aol.com, or v i sit http://mainemeadows.com.

Carlton and Zoey

Great things happen

Connie

WHEN WE ...

ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE

FAMILIES IN ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY DEPENDS ON UNITED WAY FUNDED PROGRAMS.

WE DEPEND ON YOU. WHEN YOU REACH OUT A HAND TO ONE

YOU INFLUENCE ALL. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CONTRIBUTE TO UNITED WAY! Name: Address: Phone: Email: Amount:

D o n at e S e c u r e ly o n l i n e at WWW.UNITEDWAYANDRO.ORG/DONATE or cut out and mail this form to: United Way of Androscoggin County PO Box 888, 66 Ash Street Lewiston, Maine 04243-0888 This United Way message brought to you by the Sun Journal and its employees.

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

PROFILE 2015

33 Mollison Way, Lewiston, ME 04240 • Phone: 784-5782

Who are we?

1.

We are the largest privately owned pediatric practice in the state. We are owned by a husband/wife physician team and NOT by any hospital or medical group.

2.

A team of 41 people comprised of 6 physicians, 1 nurse practitioner, 6 physician assistants, 15 medical assistants, 8 patient care coordinators, 4 administrative staff, and 1 cultural broker.

3.

We offer medical and behavioral care for children from birth to 18 years of age. Of the 13 providers, 11 provide medical care and 2 provide medication management for behavioral needs. We also have 4 behavioral health professionals located in our facility from Sweetser Children and Family Services who provide psychological testing, therapy, and case management.

4.

Our doctors have privileges at both community hospitals (St. Mary’s and CMMC) because we believe familiar faces should care for your children if they happen to need hospital care.

5.

We attend all emergent baby deliveries (i.e.C-section) at both hospitals so you can rest peacefully that one of our doctors will be there to make sure your newborn is doing well.

6.

We perform many lab tests in our office to allow for convenience, efficiency, and help lower the costs of care. If tests need to be performed outside of our facility, you can choose the lab or hospital you prefer.

7.

We use 21st century technology with electronic medical records and a patient portal which makes your child’s medical record easily accessible to both our staff and you as a parent.

8. Real, live people answer your phone call. We believe being patient centered starts with answering the phones by our patient care coordinators. No telephone messaging system to navigate through.

9.

Our office is fun and child friendly with various toys to play with for all ages. In the exam rooms there are hand painted murals for your child’s enjoyment and there are lots of familiar children’s characters on our office walls as well. Going to the doctor’s office for kids should be fun.

10.We have extended hours Monday-Thursday from 8am-7pm. Friday we are open 8-5 and Saturday from 8-Noon. We have a nurse triage service that employs pediatric registered nurses to take care of any after hour medical needs.

So, are you looking for a medical provider for your children? Why not give us a try and experience the difference here at Pediatric Associates.

Mon thru Thurs 8:0 0 am - 7:0 0 pm Friday 8:0 0 am - 5:0 0 pm Saturday 8:0 0 am - 12:0 0 pm

Saturday and Evening schedules are for Sick Appointments George H. Glass Jr., M.D., F.A.A.P. Antonio Landry, PA-C Linda J. Glass, M.D., F.A.A.P. Ann Salisbury, PA-C Caitlin Wiscount, M.D., F.A.A.P. Katelyn Ryan, PA-C Almas Patankar, M.D. Angela Castonguay, PA-C Kevin Strong, M.D., F.A.A.P. Dan Dorsky, PA-C Erica Rice, D.O., F.A.A.P. Amanda Bowden, CPNP-PC Karen Palmer, PA-C

www.pedihc.com

“We’re Here to Serve You”

9

10 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Beverage and Redemption

Premier source for fine wine and spirits

By Jackie Rybeck Special Sections Writer

F

rom its modest inception 20 years ago, Roopers Beverage & Redemption has grown from a one-man, one-store operation with beer, wine and a bottle-return center to one of Maine’s premier sources for beverages in the state.

With five locations throughout the Twin Cities, Roopers is dedicated to bringing the finest products at the best prices for their customers. They offer a superb selection of domestic and imported wines, craft beers and unique liquors from all over the world.

Roopers carries over 2,000 different types of beers from domestic and imported to micro brews. The craft beer section is dynamic and always changing as new beers become available.

Flavors of blueberries, pumpkins, spices and chocolate certainly give beer lovers something to talk about.

Management Team – kneeling: Tony Olmstead, general manager; owner Steve Roop. Standing: Jessie Moody, Unique craft beers include brews from Maine Beer Co., which wholesale account rep; Cat Tardie, bookkeeper and human uses odd ingredients or mixed combinations that give new meaning to the taste of beer. Smuttynose of New Hampshire resources; and Jesse St. Laurent, general manager.

carries beers that have been inspired by the history, character and flavors of the region. Lagunita’s of California has specialty brews with unique names and flavors such as Little Sumpin’ Wild and Hairy Eyeball. Maine’s own Allagash Brewing has many award-winning, Belgian-style craft beers; some year round, some seasonal and some limited editions. Domestic labels include Budweiser, Coors and Milwaukee’s Best; imported include Molson, Labatt’s and Heineken; Maine micros include Baxter and Shipyard; and malts include Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard and Smirnoff.

Roopers takes pride in furnishing their customers with a first-class mixture of domestic and imported wines, as well as champagnes, ports and dessert wines; all a perfect complement to your next dining experience or celebration.

Jackie Rybeck photos

Specialized sorters Joe Gendron and Janice Coburn.

Be it economical or extravagant, there is a wine to suit everyone’s budget and taste. Perhaps it’s the flavor of a Laya Alamansa of Spain, a red wine with intense aroma, crispness and fruity elegance or a Honig Sauvignon from Napa Valley, which is a great, white, medium-bodied summer wine with a touch of citrus and lightly oaked. Barone Fini Pinot Grigio from Italy is the perfect mild, white wine for any happy hour.

Main Street, Lewiston – Steve Huff, manager and Casey Warres Warrior Porto of Portugal, the oldest brand of Port wine Dearborn, cashier. in the world, with its classic, full-bodied richness and balance is a great way to end any meal. Les Dauphin Cote du Rhone of France has numerous wines ranging from delicate-aroma pinks to bursting-with-fruit reds.

Other tasty labels of wine include California’s Gnarly Head and Barefoot, Loscardos Malbec of South America, Woodbridge and Cavit of Europe and Fish Eye from Australia.

For customer’s convenience, many of the 3000 labels of wine are Minot Avenue – Jesse St. Laurent, general manager; tagged with descriptions, region and pairings.

Dominique Cestro, cashier; and Matthew Langois, manager.

From today’s trends to the classics, Roopers has everything you need to stock the bar with the right selection of spirits to suit everyone’s taste. With 1,800 labels ranging from top shelf to everyday liquor, you’ll certainly find your favorites as well as hard-to-find spirits.

Many local types of liquors are made here in Maine such as Cold River from Freeport, Northern Distilling in Houlton and Maine Distilling in Gouldsboro. High-end scotch and whiskey such as Midleton Irish, Glenlivet 12-25 year and Balvenie line the shelves. Gin labels include Cold River, Tanqueray and Botanist Islay and there is always Johnnie Walker. A few rum labels are Eight Bells, Rusticator and Captain Morgan and whiskeys include Gunpowder Rye and J&B. They carry the George Clooney-owned Casamingo Tequila as well as Jose Cuervo and Hornitos. Jim Beam and Wild Turkey round out a great selection of bourbon, and for vodkas, Roopers carries Cold River, Pinnacle and Tito. Other spirits available are cordials, brandies and cognacs, making the last sip of the evening a memorable one.

Roopers also offers groceries, lotter y tickets and a wide assortment of cigars, pipes, tobacco and accessories for the distinguished smoker including roll-your-own, smokeless and electronic.

Roopers believes in giving back to the community which has

Sabattus Street – Christina Lavers, cashier and Scott Akerley, contributed so much in making the business a success. Bottle drives are a natural form of offering a helping hand to neighbors assistant manager. and friends as well as supporting everything from the Boy Scouts to the Maine Catholic Charities. Many Little League teams as well as football teams and cheering squads have benefited from fundraisers.

Main Street, Auburn – Julie Swan, cashier and Nikki Hernandez, manager.

They are a major contributor to the Androscoggin Land Trust and a major sponsor to the L/A Arts Ice Festival. Donation buckets have benefited such neighbors as Hope Haven, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

Donations are made annually to the Humane Society and Ronald McDonald House.

At Roopers, you are sure to find what you are looking for, as well as something new to discover.

Stores are located in Auburn at 545 Minot Avenue and 301 Main Street. Lewiston locations are: 794 Sabattus Street, 694 Main Street and 1420 Lisbon Street.

Lisbon Street – Brett Hord, operations and Angelique Leeman, manager.

Hours of operation: Minot Avenue: Mon.-Wed. 7am-8pm, Thu.-

Sat. 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm; all other locations hours: Mon.Fri. 8am-11pm. For more information, special promotions, announcements, or maps to locations go to roopersbeverage. com or check them out on Facebook.

Nicholas Johnson helps Paula Rouillard of Turner with returnables.

Locations in Lewiston

Locations in Auburn

694 MAIN STREET • 782-1482 794 SABATTUS STREET • 783-6353 1420 LISBON STREET • 333-3095

545 MINOT AVE • 783-2047 301-311 MAIN STREET • 783-9098

Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-11pm • Minot Ave. Hours: Mon-Wed 7am-8pm, Thu-Sat 7am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm • Tel: 207-333-3733 ext. 2 • Fax: 207-777-5883

PROFILE 2015 11

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

GREAT FALLS

BALLOON FESTIVAL 2015

Let’s Travel!

AUGUST 21 – 23 2015 LEWISTON/AUBURN, ME

Help power the festival!

power th e festiva l

We’re trying to raise $50,000 to replace copper power wires that were stolen from our storage trailer over the winter.

These wires are used to electrify the field at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, delivering electricity to our food booths,

craft and trade vendors, performance stage and field lights.

With your help, we can power the festival! Consider making a donation today.

Online: GoFundMe.com/powerthefestival

By Mail: Great Falls Balloon Festival, P.O. Box 1238, Auburn ME 04211

GREATFALLSBALLOONFESTIVAL.ORG

GOFUNDME.COM/POWERTHEFESTIVAL

12 PROFILE 2015

107 Sun Media Group employees (many pictured here) have been with the company for at least 10 years and have a combined 2,647 years of valued service!

Thank you to them, and to their 140 co-workers!

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

PROFILE 2015 13

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

HammondLumberrollsoutmetalroofs&newkitchens Teams up with Everlast, remodels Auburn kitchen center

For the second year in a row, Steve Pray has been saying, “It’s been an extremely cold and snowy winter.” Pray, who is the manager of Hammond Lumber Company’s store in Auburn, shakes his head in admiration of his staff.

“By the time I get here in the morning,” said Pray, who usually arrives by 6 a.m., “the yard guys are already out there picking orders and loading trucks -- even when it’s 25 below zero!”

In addition to picking and loading, the yard crew also plows, shovels and de-ices to make sure the area is safe for customers and coworkers.

On the inside of the Poland Road store, other members of the crew have been busy performing a major overhaul of the Kitchen, Bath & Flooring Center. Designers Jessica Rice, Elizabeth Babb and John Trenoweth have created new displays showing off the latest in cabinetry and fixtures. Located upstairs in the store and accessible to all, the Auburn center is one of the largest in Maine, accounting for more than 10,000-square feet. In all, there are more than 25 kitchen displays, more than 20 bath displays, and hundreds of flooring samples.

More than just displays Pray is not only delighted with the physical look and features of the remodeled center, but also with the professional expertise and people skills of his designers.

“T hey ’re doi ng a g reat job,” he sa id, “especia lly when you consider a ll t he cha llenges we’ve t hrow n at t hem t his winter. They’re really good at what they do, and our customers love dealing with them.”

One customer who agrees w it h Pray’s a sser t ion is Jack ie Rybeck , a feat u re

writer with the Sun Journal. Rybeck and her cont ractor-husba nd Pete worked with Trenoweth to completely redesign and expand the kitchen in their home.

The experience led the writer to pen a feature story for the paper’s Spring Home Improvement issue titled, “How to survive a kitchen renovation,” which chronicles her experience and also offers tips to others.

“A reliable designer” In the article, Rybeck addresses the question of where to begin a kitchen renovation by saying that finding a reliable designer “is the first, and probably most important step,” since the customer will be working with the designer from beginning to end of the project. Pete Rybeck had already enjoyed good business dealings with Hammond, so the couple’s choice was easy.

Jackie Rybeck also spells out how to prepare for working with a designer, whose first question will be, “Do you have a budget?”

It’s also important, she said, to have a plan for where to store your stuff and how you’re going to eat while the kitchen is being torn apart and rebuilt.

“With the help of John,” Rybeck w rote after completion of her dream kitchen, “a nd prepa rat ion prior to a nd during construction, our project was completed in about two weeks with minimal hiccups.”

Trenoweth, Rice and Babb are ready to share their knowledge with other customers as well, and they point out that if you buy the materials for your project from Hammond, the design service will be free.

A roof over every head The challenging winter also led Hammond Lumber to undertake a different venture.

Auburn design experts John Trenoweth, Elizabeth Babb and Jessica Rice work with customers from beginning to end of a project.

Rea lizing that many Maine roofs took a heav y beating from the weat her, the company teamed up with Everlast Roofing of Bridgton to market and provide metal roofing to large and small houses and other buildings throughout the state.

At the beginning of April, Hammond began running television and radio commercials actively promoting the benefits of metal roofing and of dealing with “two Maine compa nies work ing toget her to ser ve you.” The commercials point out that the 28-gauge steel in an Everlast roof is so strong and durable that an Everlast is guaranteed to last 40 years -- non-pro-rated. It is also “heat-formed” at 200 degrees to prevent the paint on the metal from cracking.

And, as always, Hammond Lumber will deliver Everlast orders (as well as kitchen orders) free within striking distance of their stores faster than you can say, “I wish my roof didn’t leak.”

Shared values “It’s a per fect pa r t nersh ip,” sa id Lee Eastman, general manager of Everlast, “because the companies share the same Maine values and philosophy, especially when it comes to customer service and superior product quality. Both Everlast and Hammond will do whatever it takes to take care of their customers.”

Eastman has known the Hammond family for many years and is impressed with how their company has grown from a threeman sawmill to a 13-store building supplier without losing its vision or core values.

“It just keeps getting better,” he said, “generation after generation, from Skip to Don to Mike. I’m excited about partnering with them.”

Customers interested in an Everlast roof or a new k itchen ca n ca ll Ha mmondAuburn toll free at 1-800-439-2826 or 7844009. Directions for driving to the store are available by phone and email, and by v i sit i ng w w w.h a m mond lu mber.c om .

Customers may also call 1-866-HAMMOND toll free, and they will be connected with the store nearest to their calling area.

AUBURN • BANGOR BOOTHBAY HARBOR BRUNSWICK • DAMARISCOTTA FAIRFIELD • BELGRADE FARMINGTON • GREENVILLE PEMAQUID • PORTLAND SKOWHEGAN • WILTON

Hammond-Auburn's newly renovated Kitchen, Bath & Flooring Center is one of Maine's largest, covering 10,000-square feet.

Everlast roofs are "heat-formed" at 200 degrees to prevent the paint on the metal from cracking.

Everlast's Lee Eastman and Hammond's Kevin Hackett review specs as the two Maine companies team up to bring customers the best in metal roofing.

Summer and Winter: Guaranteed for 40 years, Everlast roofs are built for our climate -- large projects and small.

TOLL FREE

1-866-HAMMOND www.hammondlumber.com The Auburn store is located on the Poland Road and can be reached by phone toll free at 1-800-439-2826 or 784-4009. Directions for driving to the store are available by phone and e-mail, and by visiting www. hammondlumber.com. Customers may also call 1-866-HAMMOND toll free, and they will be connected with the store nearest their calling area.

14 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Beautiful Steps

to Improve Your Home!

Handcrafted Maine-Made Steps Since 1957 Call for a FREE On-Site Estimate or Visit Our Showroom at Our NEW Location!

Heat Mats Available.

Make your steps SAFER in the Winter!

Shawnee Steps

by American Concrete Industries

982 Minot Ave., Auburn, ME 04210 784-1388 • shawneesteps.com

We do more than just steps Ask about our Custom Railings

PROFILE 2015 15

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

By Deborah Carroll Feature Writer

LEAKY ROOF THIS WINTER?

G

erald and Blanche St. Onge were initially hesitant when it came to re-sid ing t heir Lew iston home.

However, in the spring of 2013, they hired L&S Windows to replace both siding and windows.

Avoid costly repairs to interior walls and ceiling.

L&S Windows can help!

Give us a call for a FREE roof inspection.

“We couldn’t be happier,” said Gerald St. Onge. “The price was reasonable and [their] crews always satisfied our needs.”

But wait ... L&S Windows does custom siding? Yes! In addition to windows and siding, L&S also specializes in roofing and more.

“We’ve been doing this for 25 years now,” said Scot Warner, who puts the “S” in L&S. It all began with building homes, additions and garages, and about seven years ago the company started focusing on windows, but even back then they also did roofing and siding projects.

Deborah Carroll photo

Logan Warner CEO, 6 years old.

“People know us by our windows,” said Wa r ner. “Even some of ou r ex ist i ng customers don’t realize that we also do roofing and siding.”

“L&S installed 13 replacement windows at my home,” said John Milazzo of Auburn, and updated 31 additional windows. "They were professional, courteous, respectful and competent, and I could not be more satisfied,” he added.

But the words “roofing and siding” are there, on business cards and trucks, and those functions are an integral part of the vision of the company.

“Our slogan is: Always the best for less at L&S. We’re known as the home of the $189 vinyl replacement window,” added Laurianne Warner.

L&S Windows employs nearly a dozen men and women full time, and considers themselves “a family business.”

According to Scot Warner, these windows don’t have “all the bells and whistles,” that some homeowners might want, but are a solid replacement window that is economically priced.

According to Warner's wife, Laurianne – the “L” in L&S, “I do the inside stuff ... like ordering, and Scot does the measuring at our job sites. Scott Jr., the oldest of our seven children, is our lead installer." Even the littlest Warners play a role in advertising efforts.

Replacing windows in a home is often a four- to five-week process because every window is customized and manufactured specifica lly to fit the home. Once the windows are in hand, however, said Scot Warner, “We can do 30 windows in a day,” minimizing the time that a home is exposed to the elements.

“We sell about 5,000 windows each year, replacement and new construction,” said Warner, offering popular brands such as Paradigm, Crystal and Alside. Within each brand are various levels with respect to efficiency, design and cost, and for their customers' protection, L&S will only install the windows they sell.

The latest technology is the Low-E coating that goes over the glass. "These Energy Star windows reflect the sun away during the summer months, which means that the customer’s air conditioning will not be running as much or as hard,” explained Warner, “and in the winter, when the sun’s UV rays are not as strong, the Low-E coating w ill allow the sun in to add warmth,” ma k ing heating t he home a fa r more efficient undertaking.

Like the Energy Star windows that they insta ll, “w it h a ll of t he technologica l advancements, siding has also come a long way,” said Warner. “It started with aluminum, and from aluminum it evolved into vinyl ... and then they got creative.”

L&S Window’s repertoire of vinyl siding products includes vinyls that look exactly like stone and cedar shake.

Accord i ng to Mau reen A r mst rong of Auburn, who contracted with L&S in the summer of 2014 to side her home, paint her garage and install a new door, “The siding looks fabulous, and neighbors comment ‘It looks like a new house.’ L&S did a great job, paid strict attention to detail, were always open to suggestions, and even worked a couple of weekends to get the job done."

In recent mont hs, w it h a plet hora of snow having fallen in our area, many L&S customers have called requesting snow removal. It started when L&S put an ad in the paper and, according to Laurianne Warner, “It went crazy!”

“We kept eight men going for almost a month straight,” added Scot Warner, and that’s not bad for a business that is typically busier during fair weather months.

According to Warner, the plethora of snow has also caused a plethora of problems for homeowners.

ALWAYS THE BEST FOR LESS AT L&S...

GUARANTEED! Certified Roofing Company • Now scheduling your roofing projects

884 Lisbon St., Lewiston • 783-9200 • landswindows.com Hours M-F 7-4 • Free Estimates • Fully Insured • Family Owned & Operated “We’ve seen terrible damage caused by ice dams which are caused by a lack of adequate insulation," explained Warner.

"When you have an ice dam, the snow on the roof melts, and when it hits the dam it begins to back up.”

This often leads to damage to the possibly already inadequate insulation, which can sometimes go unnoticed, as well as damage to the interior of the home.

The improper use of roof rakes can damage shingles. Other bad techniques, including homeowners with hammers, he added, can also cause considerable damage.

Roof i ng tech nolog y ha s i mproved significantly in the past 15 to 20 years, and L&S products and installation techniques bring these leading-edge technologies to each job site.

L&S works primarily with IKO, a roofing products company with manufacturing plants scattered about North America.

“They’ve got a great warranty,” said Warner, and they make a great product which he is happy to share with his customers.

“We’re a Shield Pro Plus Contractor,” he said, “which means that we’ve been tested

by IKO regarding our insta llation and design.” This certification, in turn, adds additional time to the warranty for L&S’ roofing customers.

A typical roof can last up to 30 years, but when it needs repair o r r e p l a c i n g i t ’s important to retain t he ser v ices of a professional like L&S Windows.

Many roof repairs are made necessa r y by ice dams and ot her such damage. “Once you strip off all of the roofing materials, and ta ke it dow n to t he

plywood, it’s a very good time to consider the condition of your insulation,” said Warner. L&S is able to blow insulation into those places that may only be accessible when the roof has been stripped back to below its base layer. It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to improve the efficiency of your home’s heating system, and to avoid future ice dams.

When it’s all said and done, said Warner, “It’s what’s underneath that makes the difference, and there is an advantage to using the same manufacturer for all aspects of the roofing project, especially in terms of warranty.”

In addition to windows, siding and roofing, L&S can also take care of the finishing touche s w h ic h pr ov ide b e aut y a nd functionality to the home. To complement the siding and give a finished look to the property, L&S can apply shutters which are manufactured in a wide variety of colors.

To direct rain off of the roof, L&S will apply the latest and greatest in seamless gutters technology. “It’s amazing,” said Warner, “we can now make an 80-foot-long, seamless gutter.”

L&S gutters can include leaf catchers, and are available in whatever color a customer wants. Using their own equipment, L&S is able to take sheets of raw aluminum and mold gutters according to a customer’s exact specifications.

L & S W i ndow s is qua lit y w indows, and so much more.

W i l l i a m G oy ton of Lew iston sa id it best: “They transformed ou r h om e f r om a n old hou se to a new home ... a showcase. We were amazed.”

16 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

PROFILE 2015 17

“New Beginnings helped me find a place and get my life back on track. It made me feel like I can do anything.”

For 35 Years, New Beginnings has helped youth and families in crisis improve their lives.

We believe all young people deserve to feel safe and grow toward a healthy future with the support of caring adults.

Our Lewiston Youth Drop-In Center is Moving!

Our NEW Drop-In Center location at 134 College Street will open on May 1, 2015.

The Youth Drop-In Center is a safe place off the streets in downtown Lewiston for youth ages 14-21 who are at risk for homelessness. The center is open Monday-Friday with meals, supplies, clothing, and group activities. Our caring staff are here to help young people work toward goals of stability and independence. Information and referrals are always available.

Come visit our new location or call 795-6831 to learn more!

Photo credit: c2012 New Beginnings/Cindy Harnden

Each year 700 Maine youth access our: · Emergency Youth Shelter - Short term stay for 12-19 year olds in a safe, family-like environment in Lewiston, open 365 days a year.

Free family mediation and 24-hour referrals: 207-795-4070 · Outreach - Street outreach, housing referrals, and case management in Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Franklin counties.

Lewiston Drop-In Center for youth ages 14-21 open weekday afternoons and evenings. 207-795-6831 · Prevention & Education - Prevention groups and hands-on learning teach risk-reduction and increase life skills.

Educational support re-engages youth with learning to achieve their goals. 207-795-6078 · Housing - Transitional living apartments for youth ages 16-21 located in 3 counties help youth learn the independent living skills they need to live on their own. 207-795-4074

New Beginnings, Inc.

436 Main Street Lewiston, ME 04240 Phone: 795-4077 Like us on Facebook/NewBeginningsInc www.newbeginmaine.org

18 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

The YWCA of Central Maine has been serving the communities of Lewiston and Auburn since 1878. We are dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and promoting peace, justice, and freedom and dignity for all.

Join Us on Sunday, April 26th as we take a STAND AGAINST RACISM from 12 noon to 4 pm.

The first 100 people who register the day of the event receives a free t-shirt.

12:00- Sign in and Pizza Lunch at the YWCA 12:30- Keynote Speakers 1:00-Breakout Discussions facilitated

by LHS Civil Rights Team 2:00-Group Poster Making 2:40- March leaves from the YWCA 3:20- Stand at YWCA 3:40-Ice Cream Social and Closing Remarks

Thank you to our sponsors

PROFILE 2015 19

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Sending a messageabout Lewiston Auburn aka LA Maine

By Dan Marois Feature Writer

T

he L e w i ston-Aubu r n Econom ic Growth Council wants the area to be known as LA Maine with “no dash, no slash” mark between the letters indicating Lewiston and Auburn.

“L A Maine sends a message,” said John Holden, the newly appointed president of LAEGC who has been on the job for a bit over three months. “People know the other LA (Los Angeles, California) and it is easy to say LA Maine. It captures attention and makes for discussion.”

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Holden was first introduced to Maine in the 1980s when he worked a summer internship building trails at Baxter State Park. He went on to study resource economics and policy at the Universit y of Maine and his career has ta ken him to such positions as managing director of business retention and expansion for the Ohio State University Extension and on to work in rural development for the United States Department of Agriculture in a branch office in Lewiston.

Most recently, he worked as the community e c onom ic de velopment d i re c tor for Rockland, Maine.

Holden replaces Lucien Gosselin, who served as president of LAEGC for 17 years.

Gosselin also had a prior career as the city controller/chief finance officer for Lewiston and as administrator as well.

Current LAEGC staff in this "selfie" stand behind John Holden and include John Belisle, Maura Moody and Stephanie Lewis.

T he Grow t h Cou nci l wa s created i n 1981, as an evolution from the Lewiston Development Corp., founded in 1952, and the Auburn Business Development Corp., established in 1972.

For over 30 years, LAEGC has been at the forefront of leading economic development for the cities of Lewiston and Auburn by partnering with private sector business and state and federal agencies. They have also been instrumental in creating financial incentives and resources to bring new businesses and opportunities to the area.

Probably the biggest single achievement in past decades was the building of the Walmart Distribution Center in Lewiston.

The $93-million investment created 700 jobs and one of the largest distribution centers in the northeast.

Former LAEGC president, Lucien Gosselin remembers, “We were really in an ideal posit ion to respond qu ick ly ... to a n unknown client inquiry, than either city could have done if LAEGC hadn’t been here.

If we hadn’t been, there’s a good chance the community would have missed that opportunity.”

In Auburn, the Growth Council has helped build and fill business parks including the Auburn Industrial Park, now home to over 160,000-square feet of warehousing and distribution centers including Kellogg Snacks. The next phase of development is ready within the Auburn Enterprise Center (www.auburnenterprisecenter.com).

Yet, the Council is much more than simply business parks. The Council is the state’s leading financier of the Finance Authority of Maine’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. And in the very near future, “we hope to announce some exciting programs to support entrepreneurship and a buylocal program,” said Holden.

Another Growth Council success continues to be its hosting of the annual Androscoggin Business to Business Trade Show. Attracting approximately 2,500 attendees and nearly 165 exhibitors, the show is organized in cooperation with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and continues to be one of the most vibrant and successful business networking opportunities in the area, if not the state.

Holden hopes to continue the successes of LAEGC. His first order of business in his new position is to create a new economic development strategy for LA in the next six months.

“We are charged with being the crafter and designer of that strateg y,” said Holden, noting that the agreement LAEGC has with the Twin Cities clearly outlines this in its “Scope of Services.” Holden said that the task comes at the perfect time.

“As t he new president of t he Grow t h Council, it couldn’t be a better time to jump into it,” said Holden.

He has started the planning process by holding community meetings to get input from groups and citizens about what an economic development strategy will look like. “I’m hoping to help craft this strategy, implement it and be here for the long haul,” said Holden.

Holden knows all too well that creating an economic strategy is very different from many years ago.

“From 1960 to 1990, things didn’t change much at all when it came to economic development,” said Holden, pointing out that the period didn’t have the fast-paced

The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council wants the area to be known as LA Maine with “no dash, no slash” mark between the letters indicatingLewiston and Auburn. technological advancements of the last two decades. “Today, you can’t plan out for five to 10 years because things accelerate so fast. Today, businesses plan out for 18 to 36 months maximum and the strategy has to be flexible. They have to be able to turn things quickly as they unfold. And all along, businesses have to continue to be engaged in the process.

“Traditiona lly, economic development has been building business parks and attracting new business, but it is also important to focus on helping to expand a nd reta i n cu r rent busi nesses,” sa id Holden. “The major it y of job g row t h anyplace comes from existing businesses. If you grow them, you will retain them in the area.”

Holden pla ns to of fer oppor t u n it ies through the Growth Council to open ideas for innovation and to strengthen the skills of entrepreneurship, whether starting a new business or expanding a current one. He cites the model of the Blackstone Accelerates Growth organization with its partners, Maine Technolog y Institute, M a i n e C e n t er f o r E n t r e p r e n e u r i a l Development, and the University of Maine’s Innovation Engineering as an example for development in LA. “We w i l l be t he c on nec tor for ne w programming around entrepreneurship,” said Holden. “We will have an alphabet soup of resources to help out and the Growth Council will be the key entry point for help.”

Another one of the Growth Council’s goals is in the area of what is called “creative economy” and “creative place making.” It hopes to continue the efforts that have been started in previous years and to inspire new projects. The essence of the effort is to create spaces, both public and private, for opportunities to thrive.

“This building used to be a car dealership,” sa id Stephan ie Lew is, v ice president and chief financial officer who has been employed at LAEGC for 16 years, as she made reference to the building that houses her orga n i zat ion. “T he bu i ld i ng wa s restored and preserved and is now home to a number of organizations.”

“In development, we often build business parks,” added Holden, implying the notion that "if you build it, they will come." “In the same way, if you build creative spaces, creative people will come.”

Holden cited an upcoming event called Build Maine that takes place on May 20

and 21 at Bates Mill 1 in Lewiston at which attendees will explore ways to invest in future community building efforts.

“The goals of Build Maine perfectly align with much of our plans,” said Holden.

Bu i ld Ma i ne holds t he idea t hat d e v e l o p m e nt c a n t a k e p l a c e m or e productively. The Build Maine website (buildmaine.squarespace.com) poses that people involved in the work of building Maine — the builders, funders, elected officials, engineers, law yers, planners, finance institutions, and rule makers — have the opportunity to converge to share best practices and aspirations for moving Maine forward within the reality of the new economy.

Holden noted that the area is prime to build spaces, whether revitalizing buildings or creating spaces for businesses. Much work has been done, but there is certainly more to do.

Mov i n g f or w a r d , Hold e n h o p e s t o emphasize that marketing efforts for LA are about the region and not about individual cities.

“Each city can distinguish itself in what ma kes t hem uniquely dif ferent,” sa id Holden. “The reality of this work is that what is good for either city would benefit both. We are one marketplace in terms of what we can offer businesses or developers.

We all benefit from progress in one town or the other.”

The work spearheaded by Holden and Lewis is supported currently by three other team members: John Belisle, loan portfolio manager; Maura Moody, office manager and public relations coordinator; and the latest addition to the team Scott Benson, econom ic a nd busi ness development director who joins LAEGC this May, 2015.

When asked what would be the top wishlist items for economic development in the coming months, Holden and Lewis each set interesting visions.

“I would like to see us have a solid return on our investment in what we do with greater collaboration. We can pull our own weight, but we can’t do it all on our own,” said Holden, hoping to see multiple returns from many diverse efforts.

“We are always concerned about resources that will sustain the work we do,” said Lew is. She pointed out that while the Growth Council has a few small funding sources, the majority of funding comes

John Holden's first order of business in his new position is to create a new economic development strategy for LA in the next six months. from their two major clients, the cities of Lewiston and Auburn. “We always have to be ready to find other funding.”

Holden added, “It is in service to Auburn a nd Lew iston a nd a coordinated a nd collaborative relationship, focusing on adding value to the work of the cities that is our primary focus; yet we are developing other funding sources to complement the public funds.

“Our efforts will help bring new business or business expansion to the area,” said Holden, reflecting that such results would bring with it jobs and economic activity.

“It would be great to see that happen with a half dozen or more of our businesses.”

415 Lisbon Street, Suite 400 • P.O. Box 1188 • Lewiston, ME 04243-1188 • 207-784-0161

20 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

PROFILE 2015 21

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tsukroff Photography

Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber board members Robin Robbins and Hillary Dow present the Business Leadership Award to Payroll

By Rich Livingston Management owners Gary and Elaine Hemenway at the 2015 annual meeting.

Feature Writer

THE CATALYST

P

erhaps one of the most overused a nd least u nderstood words in American commerce these days is catalyst, defined by the dictionary as a "person or event (or entity) that quickly causes significant change or action." For more than a century, no organization in Lewiston-Auburn has been a greater agent for positive change and growth than has the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber has achieved what is arguably its most dramatic impact in the most recent two decades.

Collecting toys as part of the Stuff the Bus campaign at Christmas.

In that time, membership has grown from 623 to more than 1,400, and the Chamber has become t he la rgest loca l business membership and advocacy organization in Maine. The Chamber works on behalf of the more than 45,000 employees of the 1,400 members, representing every element of the local economy, every category of business, service agency, public and private sectors; those who choose to live here and those who are simply passing through. And for all those two score years, the Chamber has been led by its soon-to-be-retiring president, Chip Morrison.

"This is a good time for me to go," Morrison said. "The Chamber is in a great place. The organization is strong, the communities we serve are experiencing a fabulous resurgence and new prosperity, and future prospects are unlimited." Morrison added, "This transition is a terrific opportunity to reexamine how we do what we do, to redefine our role and our focus, to bring some fresh perspective, to give up anything that we should no longer be doing. We are stronger than ever and in a perfect position to support our members and our communities with even more impact in the coming years.

Chamber breakfast at the Hilton in Auburn.

"The Chamber’s job," Morrison said, "is to make connections. In all ways, all the time.

We connect members to one another, to their customers and constituents, vendors, peers, and especially to the community.

We help attract people to the community and get them oriented once they're here.

We help folks connect with the services and businesses that help make L-A such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Follow-up is vital, too. We can't ever just assume that communication is complete just because the dialogue has begun. We're constantly circling back to members to ask what else we can do to help them grow and prosper."

The Chamber's effectiveness as a catalyst is evident in the revitalized local economy, the number of recent business formations and expansions, job creations, the number and success of local festivals and arts venues and events, all year long.

The organization has been an effective bridge between the business community a nd t he publ ic sector, posit ioned as a resource to the legislative and Congressional delegations, interfacing with both k-12 and post-secondary education, and representing business' interests with municipal officials throughout the region.

November's Business After Hours at the FEZtival of Trees in Lewiston.

The Chamber has raised more than $560,000 for scholarships for local students, and has created a vital connection to the next generation of business and public leadership with the young professionals’ organization -YPLAA, Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn A rea, now w ith more than 600 members of its own.

In addition to the countless thousands who enjoy the rich array of festivals in the area, nearly 10,000 people participate directly in the Chamber's own events, including mont h ly brea k fast meet ings, Business After Hours events hosted at members' own venues, the annual golf tournament, annual meeting, and the hugely successful B2B trade show with which the Chamber assists LAEGC. The Chamber's board of directors, led by Chair Clif Greim of Harriman Associates, engaged in a nationwide search to find a perfect successor to Morrison, and the expectation was that the new person will be in place by this summer.

"This was a great organization before I got here," Morrison said, "and I didn't break it!"

T he C ha mber rema i n s com m it ted to continued growth, continued change, and continued relevancy by creating still more opportunities for its members.

Even in the era of social media and electronic acquaintances, nothing is more productive t h a n genu i ne per s on a l c on ne c t ion s.

Participation in Chamber events provides oppor t u n it ies to w iden t he c i rcle of professional relationships in ways which are truly meaningful.

N o t l o n g a g o, M o r r i s o n m a d e t h e observation, “When you volunteer with us, or serve on a committee – working directly with someone is the best way for them to get to know you and know what you can do; and for you to get to know them.” Try doing that on Facebook.

And the Chamber’s networking mechanism also enables businesses to identify potential vendors and ser v ice prov iders, identif y new customers, and find ways to more fully engage with their own communities.

The work of the Chamber is undertaken by its board of directors and by six standing committees – Business Advocacy, Regional I m a ge, Wor k for c e D e v elopment a nd Education, YPLA A, Membership Services and Development, and the Ambassador Com m it tee – w h ich toget her prov ide countless ways for members to become involved with the Chamber and its work, and especially to connect to other members and resources.

“We are fortunate to have a big board [of directors],” Morrison said. “One of the reasons it’s so big is that it ref lects the huge diversity of our membership,” which includes over 100 non-profit organizations, more than a dozen municipalities and quasi public sector institutions, and traditional busi nesses i n ever y i mag i nable f ield, i nclud i ng ma nu fact u r i ng, hea lt hca re, finance, hospitality, retail, distribution – about 300 distinct categories delineated in the Chamber’s 2015 Resource Guide.

And the impact of the Chamber’s work is carefully measured and documented in the annual report, accessible from the Website, as well.

W hen a sked how t he Cha mber cou ld properly ack nowledge h is decades of service, Morrison suggested the creation of a legacy fund that would provide a small pool of opportunity funding available to the Chamber for discretionary investments in timely special projects, to continue the mission of ser v ice to members and the community.

The goal is to generate up to $100,000 from 100 or more indiv idua l contributors, a ref lection of the small business character of t he com mu n it y, t he orga n i z at ion, and Morrison's aspirations for Chamber leadership in the community for years to come. The Chamber is moving forward with as much energy as ever, and so is its Lewiston Auburn home.

Ribbon cutting at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

Postscript: On Friday, April 3, the Chamber board of directors selected Matt Leonard as the new president of the Chamber. Leonard's selec t ion w a s t he c u l m i nat ion of a n extensive, six-month national search which generated interest from across the country.

Leonard will begin work on Monday, May 11.

22 PROFILE 2015

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

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PROFILE 2015 23

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 25, 2015

ITS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

By Rich Livingston Feature Writer “We’re proud to be a true, traditional com mu n it y ba n k,” sa id R ick Va i l, president and CEO of Mechanics Savings Bank, headquartered in Auburn, with branches in Lewiston, Windham and Brunswick.

“We are completely integrated into our communities,” Vail added, “and have been since 1875. All our managers and directors live in the community, we actively support dozens of charitable local ventures, and while we have no sha reholders – we a re governed by our depositors – we pay taxes here, we employ some 75 people, and last year alone our employees donated more than 5,500 hours to volunteer work in the community.”

Mecha n ics has a lso donated more than $1 million over the past 10 years to more than 80 organizations active in education, the arts, social welfare and community events.

“A significant part of our mission,” the bank president stated, “is to empower loca l people through loca l decision ma k ing, loca l problem solv ing, and support of local communities.

“In spite of our traditional emphasis,” said Vail, “we have also pretty much rebuilt the entire bank, both inside and out.

In the past three years, we started and completed about 100 different projects, including bricks and mortar, systems and products; we have transitioned to the 21st century, for sure.”

The bank’s range of retail services – in person, elect ronica l ly, by sma r t phone (and phones that aren’t quite so smart) – has become significantly more diversified. And although Mechanics has developed a robust business lending and services capacity, more than two-thirds of its assets are residential and they remain the leading bank mortgage lender in Androscoggin County, with the bank ranked third overall in market share.

At the same time, local decision making ha s made t he ba n k a n i mpor ta nt resource for small business formation and expansion, a capacit y that was signif ica nt ly ex pa nded when Chief Banking Officer Dick Roy and his team of veteran commercial loan officers joined the bank.

A mong t he most d ra mat ic new initiatives, one designed to improve ser v ic e to c u stomer s, en su re t he bank remains both competitive and independent, a nd g rounded in t he com mu n it y, is a n i n novat ive new alliance with Biddeford Savings Bank.

The two banks are jointly forming a commonly ow ned holding company that will provide more efficient and cost-effective operational support, yet from a customer perspective will remain independent.

“T he a l l ia nce enables us to sha re resources,” Vail explained, “without altering our identity or commitments to our respective service areas in any way.”

Rich Livingston photo

Main branch of Mechanics Savings Bank, Minot Ave., Auburn.

It is, Vail believes, the first time such a venture has been under ta ken by t wo i ndependent mut ua l ba n k i ng institutions which did not already have a holding company of their own, and it is certainly the first time two Maine banks have formed a multi-bank mutual holding company.

“Just another example of the kind of outside-the-box thinking that enables us to provide state-of-the-art service to our customers,” Vail added.

But w it h a l l t he most ly i nv i sible enhancements to products and systems, the most visible changes to the bank may be the most physical. It’s hard to miss the construction project underway across the parking lot from the bank’s Minot Avenue headquarters.

The new 4,140-square-foot bra nch, expected to open as soon as this August, will replace the branch that operates from the headquarters building. The new branch will offer just the right blend of technology and personal connection, w ith some creature comforts for an enhanced customer experience.

The existing branch will be rehabilitated into expanded, modernized offices, with more meeting space to host small seminars and functions. The completed complex w i l l for m a c a mpu s-l i ke venue that Vail expects will be part of a revitalized gateway to Auburn.

“We believe we are making an investment that will meet customer and community needs for the next century,” Vail said, “and with the other changes coming to the Washington Avenue-Minot Avenue corridor, we expect that our new campus

Artistic rendering showing the new drive-thru at Mechanic Savings Bank.

Rich Livingston photos

At left: Dick Roy, Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer, Mechanics Savings Bank. At right: Rick Vail, with artist’s rendering of the new main branch of Mechanics Savings Bank, under construction on Minot Ave., in Auburn. will be a catalyst for an improved image Artistic rendering showing the new Mechanics Savings Bank as seen of the twin cities.”

Vail suggests that there is an additional dimension to the bank's community focus.

“By being so thoroughly integrated into our home communities and committed to bu i ld i ng mea n i ng f u l long-ter m relationships, we are well positioned to maintain extensive and complete relationships with our customers,” Vail explained. “Having a relationship with a bank that knows you and is personally connected to the places you live and work, may not be something most people are even aware of, in good times. But when times are tough, when customers need more than a routine transaction, it is really helpful to know the people you’re doing business with.”

from Minot Avenue.

Main Office: 100 Minot Avenue, Auburn 207-786-5715 Lewiston: 664 Main Street • 207-786-0773 Windham: Route 302, 3 Drive-In Lane • 207-893-1100 Brunswick: 16 Station Avenue • 207-786-5701 www.mechanicssavings.com

Monmouth Federal Credit Union: Personalized attention

By Dan Marois Feature Writer

“In the coming months, we will expand the range of our online banking services,” said Blais. “Our members are asking for the technological advancements for their banking and we are ready to put them into place.”

B

y industry standards, Monmouth Federal Credit Union is considered a small credit union with assets of $18 million.

To its current members, being small is just fine. They love the small-tow n feel and personalized attention that has been the cornerstone of the credit union since it opened its doors in 1953.

At a recent retreat, the credit union board of directors set a goa l to increase their participation in the community.

“We are strong supporters of the Monmouth Community Players who perform in Cumston Hall,” said Blais. “We are also very involved in the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger, a statewide effort that brings contributions back to the local level to help programs in our communities."

“We know our members by name,” said Cat Blais, the president and CEO of Monmouth FCU, taking pride that her members are not simply numbers. “We are here to serve our members in every way possible.”

W it h locat ions at 1176 Ma i n St reet i n Monmouth and 19A Patten Road in Greene, t he c red it u n ion c u r rent ly ha s 2,6 0 0 members.

“Our credit union is owned by its members, litera l ly,” sa id Bla is. “W hen t he credit union does well, it shares its gains with the members. We are not in the business of giving bonuses to stock holders.”

She explained that credit union members elect the board that governs and it is the board that directs policies and procedures.

Traditionally, credit unions have higher deposit rates, lower loan rates and less fees for its members.

“At Monmouth Federal Credit Union, our k nowledgeable staff is a lways available to answer any questions t hat members might have. If they are looking for a new car, recreational vehicle, or simply a better way to bank, we urge people to come in and see us,” said Blais.

The credit union offers an array of products covering most banking needs, including

Dan Marois photos

One of the original signs from the early years of the Monmouth Federal Credit Union. deposit accounts with shares, share draft, clubs, and certificates.

Loans are available for autos, home/home equ it y, recreat iona l veh icles, busi ness collateral, other secured, as well as signature/ unsecured loans.

Member services include Visa debit cards, iTalk (formerly know n as Teller-Phone), money orders, on line ba n k ing, mobi le banking, notary public, and reconciliation.

Through their Shared Banking network, members can actually transact business directly from any partnering credit union in the country.

Through an arrangement with the Insurance Trust, t he credit union offers members access to an impressive list of financial and insurance services which even includes pet insurance.

Blais said that the members are loyal to the credit union, having trusted them for many years. In future years she would like to see more family members and children join the credit union family.

She takes great pride in a seasoned staff that knows the business well. Both Blais and Vice President Charlene Vannah have worked their way through the credit union ranks, both having started as tellers. Within the next year, the management team will become certified financial counselors through the Credit Union National Association.

“This will be a specialized service that we can offer free to members,” said Blais.

Blais feels that the Monmouth Federal Credit Union is at a crossroads in its growth and development. She describes it by saying that they are poised for growth.

In 2014, t he statew ide hunger f ig ht ing campaign raised $552,257.43.

Blais a lso noted t hat t hey are involved with the Norm Nolette Chapter of Credit Unions Financial Fitness Fair, a program that educates high school students on the importance of budgeting for household expenses based on a chosen career income.

While both Monmouth Federal Credit Union locations are in rural settings, they continue to be a vibrant part of the communities they ser ve in Greene, Litchfield, Wa les, Monmouth, Leeds and Turner.

W hile taking photos to accompany this article, an elderly gentleman, perhaps in his 70s, stopped by the door to watch the credit union staff smiling for a group photo.

“It is nothing new for these folks to have a smile on their faces,” said the gentleman.

“They always have a smile on their faces.”

For more information, go to monmouthfcu. com or call 207-933-2667 in Monmouth or 207-946-2463 in Greene.

The staff at the Monmouth headquarters, from left: Cat Blais – President; Sarah Cantin – Head Teller; Nicole Allen – Member Service Rep; Eric Goff – Loans/Collections; Rebecca Prestridge – Bookkeeper; The staff at the Greene branch, from left: Victoria Romar – Member Service Vice President Charlene Vannah and President Cat Blais at Monmouth Lena Galipeau – Card Services/Office Administrator; and Charlene Rep; Patty Cantin – Branch Manager; and Kayla Lamontagne – Member Federal Credit Union.

Service Rep. Vannah – Vice President.

24 PROFILE 2015

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