🔒Drawn from two decades, Business Leaders of the Year(s) share words of wisdom

As Mainebiz celebrates 20 years of honoring Business Leaders of the Year, we asked alumni for their advice to Maine’s next generation of business leaders. Below are some of their tips — read the rest in our special anniversary magazine! 

"'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ still remains great advice.”

— Alan Baker (2001), retired owner and publisher, Ellsworth American

“Set the tone. Help your leaders appreciate they are part of something bigger than themselves. Embrace change; do not resist it.”

— Ralph Gabarro (2002), former president and CEO, Mayo Regional Hospital

“Driven by technology, the speed of change is increasing in every aspect of your business. Embrace it and adapt to it. But stay grounded in your guiding values.”

— Jackson Parker (2004), chairman and CEO, Reed & Reed. Inc.

“Do your homework. Be authentic. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision but are not afraid to respectfully disagree and challenge you to do better.”

— Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear (2004), co-founders, Coffee By Design

“Be entrepreneurial, take a chance, embrace change. Get your team committed to the goals of your business; they have to understand them and be convinced. That will lead to success.”

— Henry “Hank” Schmelzer (2007), retired CEO, Maine Community Foundation

“Be bold.”

—​​​​​​​ Andy Shepard (2011), founder, Outdoor Sports Institute

“Learn how to be a great leader — to be tough, to set clear goals, to hold your team accountable for achieving the goals.”

—​​​​​​​ Jean Hoffman (2012), former president and CEO, Putney Inc.

“If you want to learn to lead, focus on building skills like project management and public speaking. Look for educational opportunities on leadership. Volunteer to serve on a nonprofit board. At work, raise your hand to get on a team and then step up to lead the team. Volunteer to coach a team in your community. Find a mentor who you can work with on all of the above.”

—​​​​​​​ Sara Burns (2013), former president and CEO, Central Maine Power Co.

“Be open and aware to change. The way we conduct business today is not the same as it was 10 years ago and it won’t be the same 10 years from now. As a business leader, you must adapt your business model to meet the needs of your clients, customers or members.”

—​​​​​​​ David Desjardins (2013), president and CEO, Acadia Federal Credit Union

“Value and maintain interpersonal connections and communication — don’t simply rely on technology. Personal interaction is extremely important. Get to know your colleagues, your customers and your competitors. Kindness matters.”

—​​​​​​​ Patricia Quinn (2013), executive director, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority

“Nobody is invested in your success except perhaps your relatives. The person you are today is not the person you will become. Invest in yourself: Learn, travel, discuss, debate, analyze, fail, succeed, improve.”

—​​​​​​​ Peter Rinck (2014), CEO, Rinck Advertising

“Be savvy. Be pleasantly persistent. Be humble. Have a razor-sharp focus. Hone your passion. Share your talent, time and treasure.”

—​​​​​​​ Donna Dwyer (2015), CEO, My Place Teen Center

“Respect and value the people and place and they will be there for you.”

— Danielle Ripich (2016), former president, University of New England

“Continue to look for new opportunities and remember we live in a world market. Also get out of your comfort zone and explore new opportunities. Maine is a great place to have a business. You do not have to leave Maine to be successful.”

— Rodney McCrum (2016), former CEO, Naturally Potatoes

“Work hard. Build mission-based businesses and behave with integrity in all you do. Have fun.”

— Bob and Carmen Garver (2017), owners, Wicked Joe Organic Coffees and Bard Coffee

“Think big and imagine your business as the driving force in your industry, and then communicate that vision to others — your team, your customers and your partners.”

— Josh Broder (2018), CEO, Tilson