Bangor chamber to honor eight businesses and leaders at awards gala

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce on Friday will host its annual awards dinner, and expects tonight's gala to draw over 1,100 civic leaders, businesspeople and community supporters.

The chamber will present eight awards, including its highest honor, the Norbert X. Dowd Award, which this year goes to Carol Epstein, a Bangor native and a commercial real estate broker since 1984.

The Dowd award is given each year to a member of the business community who has made the Bangor region a better place to pursue one’s livelihood and dreams, and selection criteria typically take into account the honoree’s career-long achievements.

In a news release, the chamber noted that Epstein has helped structure hundreds of deals around the state on a wide range of commercial and industrial properties, has consulted and built relationships with companies of all sizes, and oversees a portfolio of family-owned commercial and investment properties.

“We are delighted to be honoring and recognizing Carol’s significant contributions to our region,” said the chamber’s president and CEO, Deb Neuman.

Other awards to be presented at the dinner:

Business of the Year, GE Gas Power;
Catherine Lebowitz Award for Public Service, Carol Woodcock, Bangor state office representative of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine;
M. Jane Irving Community Service Award, Norm Heitmann, Bangor city solicitor;
Nonprofit of the Year, Bangor Public Library;
Arthur Comstock Professional Service Award, Lee Speronis, director of the Husson University School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management, and former chairman of the chamber;
Bion & Dorain Foster Entrepreneurship Award, Wilcox Wellness & Fitness; and
Arts & Culture Award, "The Nite Show with Dan Cashman."

The event is scheduled to start with a 4:30 p.m. reception followed by a 6:30 dinner and program, all at the Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St. Individual tickets are $75 and more information can be found here.