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May 9, 2019

Finalists named for 20th annual Maine Family Business Awards

By Staff
Maddy Corson
Courtesy / Institute for Family-Owned Businesses
Maddy Corson, fourth generation of her family business, Guy Gannett Communications, will receive the Institute for Family-Owned Businesses' first Lifetime Achievement Award on June 5.

The Institute for Family-Owned Business has named 25 companies as finalists for the Maine Family Business Awards. The winners will be announced on June 5 in Portland.

To mark its 25th anniversary, the institute will present its first Lifetime Achievement Award to Maddy Corson, who was the fourth generation of her family business, Guy Gannett Communications. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated sustained success, leadership and innovation in his or her own family business, to the Institute for Family-Owned Business and to the broader community. 

“Maddy is the quintessential example of what it means to be a strong leader and advocate for Maine businesses,” the institute said in a news release announcing the award and this year’s finalists. “It only seems fitting that this award is given out on the 20th anniversary of the Maine Family Business Awards, which all started as an idea from Maddy two decades ago and has recognized 89 businesses and counting.”

The institute received 157 nominations of companies in diverse industries across the state, which were narrowed to 32 semi-finalists and then to the finalists, which are:

  • Bo’Lait Farm, Washington
  • Bouchard Cleaning & Restoration DKI, Bangor
  • Congdon’s, Wells
  • Day’s Jewelers, Waterville
  • FHC Inc., Bowdoin
  • Fontaine Family — The Real Estate Leader, Auburn
  • Geiger, Lewiston
  • Gene’s Electronics, Fort Kent
  • Hardwood Products Co. LP, Guilford
  • Hight Family of Dealerships, Skowhegan
  • Lauzier Fine Home Builders LLC, East Waterboro
  • Maritime Energy, Rockland
  • Michaud Accounting Solutions, Scarborough
  • NorthEast Charter & Tour Co. Inc., Lewiston
  • Opus Consulting Group, Portland
  • Quiero Cafe, Saco
  • Rousseau Insurance Agency, Biddeford
  • SKORDO, Brunswick
  • Montalvo Corp., Gorham
  • Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport
  • Sunrise Guide LLC, Portland
  • Triple Mountain LLC, Hiram
  • W.S. Emerson Co. Inc., Brewer
  • Warren’s Office Supplies, Sanford
  • Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, Freeport.

The Maine Family Business Awards are presented in partnership with MEMIC, the Maine-based employee safety insurance group, during a gala evening event at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. The event will be hosted by News Center Maine anchor Cindy Williams, with keynote speaker being Shawn Gorman, executive chairman of L.L.Bean. 

Awards to be presented include:

  • Renys Large Business Award (25 or more employees)
  • Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award
  • Holiday Inn By The Bay First Generation Award
  • People's United Bank Innovation & Technology Award
  • Shep Lee Community Service Award
  • Maddy Corson Small Business Award (fewer than 25 employees)
  • Cumberland Crossing by OceanViewEnvironmental Leadership Award.

An independent judging panel selects winners based on criteria that include the nature of family involvement, the success of the business, the work environment, and innovative business practices or strategies.

Event sponsors include title sponsor MEMIC, Renys, Chalmers Insurance Group, Holiday Inn By the Bay, People’s United Bank, Machias Savings Bank, Verrill Dana, Norway Savings Bank, Lee Auto Malls, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Cumberland Crossing by OceanView, Katahdin Trust Company, Flyte New Media, Down East magazine, HR Convention, Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, Oakhurst, Cross Insurance, Morong Falmouth, DMM, Mainebiz, Sun Journal and Bangor Daily News.

About the Institute for Family-Owned Business

Now in its 25th year, the Institute for Family-Owned Business is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting family-owned businesses, which represent about 80% of all businesses in Maine. Through consulting, seminars, workshops, and networking, the Institute assists family-owned firms in meeting the unique managerial challenges associated with operating and sustaining a successful family enterprise.

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1 Comments

Anonymous
May 17, 2019
We are grateful to be listed among these incredible family-owned businesses! ~ Eleda, Triple Mountain
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