In short from June 15, 2009 | A roundup of new hires, promotions, accolades and appointments from Maine's business community

New Hires

Weichert, Realtors - Waterglen Group in Portland recently hired Paul Wheeler as a licensed sales agent. Previously, Wheeler was vice president of finance and IT at Island Oasis in Walpole, Mass.

Charter Oak Capital Management, an investment advisory and management firm in Portland, recently hired Ben Willauer as a financial advisor. Previously, Willauer was a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services Inc. in Portland.

Westbrook Housing recently hired Crystal Burnham as an accounting manager. Previously, Burnham worked for Pasadena, Calif.-based Tetra Tech Inc.

Add Verb Productions, a Portland-based nonprofit that promotes social change through theater and dialogue, recently hired Marcie Parker as marketing manager. Previously, Parker was a marketing manager at San Francisco-based educational travel company High Country Passage.

TD Banknorth in Portland recently hired Glenn Griffin as the store manager of its Camden branch. Previously, Griffin was in vendor management, collections, credit lending and telesales at MBNA/Bank of America in Belfast.

CenterPoint Teleservices in Eliot recently hired Amy Fecteau as director of human resources and Dana Waterhouse as director of operations. Previously, Fecteau was director of human resources for Listen Up in Westbrook and Waterhouse was a technical support manager at Unica.

Houlton-based Katahdin Trust Co. recently hired Bruce Drouin as vice president in the commercial services area of its Scarborough loan production office. Previously, Drouin was vice president and senior relationship manager with KeyBank in Portland.

The James W. Sewall Co. in Old Town recently hired John Kaufman, Mark Leathers and Scott Twillman in the company’s forestry and natural resources consulting group. The hires will provide natural resource analysis and consulting services to a global market.

The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau in Bangor recently hired Angel Matson as the new visitor services coordinator. Previously, Matson was a community outreach coordinator at Rape Response Services in Bangor.

KeyBank in Falmouth recently hired David Doane as branch manager. Previously, Doane was a client manager for Bank of America in Portland.

Camden National Bank recently hired Steven Thomas as a vice president and commercial loan officer at its Bangor branch. Previously, Thomas was vice president of business banking and relationship manager at KeyBank in Portland.

Merrill Bank in Bangor recently hired James Cox as a vice president of the trust and investment services division.

Rabee Kiwan recently joined the medical staff at Martin’s Point Health Care’s Portland health care center. Previously, Kiwan worked in the internal medicine practice at Down East Community Hospital in Machias.

Promotions

Jobsinme.com, an online recruitment resource headquartered in Westbrook, recently promoted the following: Jason Blais to director of business development; Steven Dodge to director of sales and marketing; and Thomas Hinman to senior sales manager.

U.S. Cellular in Bangor recently promoted Mary Hebert to business development manager for central and northern Maine. Previously, Hebert was an agent account executive. U.S. Cellular also promoted Maria Lussier to business development manager for New Hampshire and the greater Portland and southern Maine area.

Appointments

Bar Harbor Bankshares, the parent company of Bar Harbor Bank and Trust in Bar Harbor, recently announced that its board of directors elected Peter Dodge as chairman and Thomas Colwell as vice chairman.

The University of Maine System board of trustees recently appointed Anne Pooler to serve as dean of the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development. 

Jennifer Reck, policy analyst and project director for Prescription Policy Choices, a nonprofit educational and public policy organization in Hallowell, was recently appointed to the organization’s advisory committee for Maine’s academic detailing program.

Peter Bennett, president of the Bennett Law Firm in Portland, was recently appointed to the American Bar Association’s task force on federal agency preemption of state tort laws. 

Norway Savings Bank in Norway recently elected the following new corporators: Andrew Charles, owner of Haven’s Candies in Westbrook; Deborah Irons, owner of Arts Moves Dance Studio in Norway; Jackie Kim and her husband Myung Kim of South Paris; Jill McGowan, owner of Jill McGowan Designs in Portland; Katy Noonan, manager of the Stone Mountain Performing Arts Center in Brownfield; Jonathan Spak, owner of the Oxford House Inn in Fryeburg; Patricia Weigel, executive vice president of commercial and retail banking at Norway Savings Bank; and Holly Young, executive vice president and chief information officer at Norway Savings Bank.

The Maine Credit Union League in Westbrook recently elected the following 2009-2010 officers to its board of directors: Richard Dupuis, president and CEO of Five County Credit Union headquartered in Bath, as chairman; David Rossignol, president and CEO of NorState Federal Credit Union in Madawaska, as vice chairman; Gail Richardson, president and CEO of Midcoast Federal Credit Union in Bath, as secretary; and Richard Lachance, president and CEO of Maine Education Credit Union in Augusta, as treasurer.

Spotlight

Portland Shellfish, a processor of Maine lobster, Jonah crab and Maine shrimp, recently announced that its shellfish products export business has seen rapid growth overseas following recent participation in two major international food exhibitions. Currently shipping to more than 20 countries, the Portland-based company has added two overseas sales agents who will support new and existing accounts throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Through its distributors, Portland Shellfish provides its Claw Island brand Maine lobster, as well as its Portland Lighthouse brand Jonah crab and Maine shrimp, to thousands of major market specialty food stores and seafood markets throughout the U.S. All Portland Shellfish products are wild-caught off the Maine coast.

Company News

Wright-Pierce, an engineering firm based in Topsham, recently announced that Ryan Wingard, a senior project manager at the firm’s Portland office, is a new company shareholder.

Walter Davenport, owner of Portland’s Elite Taxi, recently announced he has replaced his entire fleet of cars with Mercury Grand Marquis sedans.

Winxnet, a provider of IT business solutions in Portland, recently announced it has successfully deployed Microsoft Office Communications Server for Linedata Services, a global financial IT solutions company headquartered in France.

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in Portland, on behalf of Coastal Counties Workforce Board, recently announced it is issuing a request for proposals for summer youth employment worksites in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties.

Sid Thorne, sales manager for Brown and Meyers, a provider of outsourcing solutions in Portland, recently received his document imaging architect certification.

University of New England in Biddeford was recently awarded a $2.87 million, five-year National Science Foundation grant in support of its project to partner university researchers and graduate students with the local K-12 community.

The Maine Lobster Promotion Council in Augusta recently teamed with California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium to support the eighth Cooking for Solutions celebrity chef event, hosted by Food Network’s Alton Brown.

The Maine McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association in Auburn recently announced its November 2008 World Children’s Day and Give a Hand fundraiser brought in $39,972 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine.

Androscoggin Bank in Lewiston recently announced 2009 first-quarter charitable contributions totaling nearly $52,000. Beneficiaries include the Boys and Girls Club in Auburn, the Franco American Heritage Center in Lewiston, the Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick and the Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington.

M. Lee Smith Publishers, a national law publisher headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., recently selected Peter Lowe and Dan Stockford of the law firm Brann and Isaacson in Lewiston as editors of the Maine Employment Law Letter, a monthly newsletter focusing on employment law issues for human resource professionals and managers of Maine businesses and organizations.

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge in Lincolnville recently announced it is open for the 2009 season.

KICTeam, a developer and manufacturer of cleaning cards headquartered in Auburn, recently announced the launch of its new cleaning card for the JCM Global DBV Series Bill Validators.

The Samoset Resort in Rockport recently announced its addition of a 200,000-gallon, free-form, zero-entry swimming pool. 

Absolute Marketing and Design in Lewiston recently affiliated with Proforma Albrecht, a promotional product franchiser in Milford, Ohio.

The following institutions recently received a federal grant from the National Center for Research Resources, a division of the National Health Institute in Bethesda, Md., to support research and hands-on science education: The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory; the Jackson Laboratory; Bates, Bowdoin and Colby colleges; College of the Atlantic; the University of Southern Maine; Southern Maine Community College; and the University of Maine campuses at Farmington, Fort Kent, Machias and Presque Isle.

The Maine Heritage Village in Wiscasset, established to showcase Maine artisans and craftsmen, recently celebrated its grand opening.

GWI, an independent telecommunications company headquartered in Biddeford, recently announced the completion of a newly constructed, high-capacity fiber optic network between Portland and Brunswick. 

Elaine Murdoch of the Knickerbocker Group in Boothbay recently earned her certification as a master kitchen and bath designer from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

The Human Resources Association of Southern Maine in Portland recently received the Superior Merit Chapter designation from the Society for Human Resource Management, an association devoted to human resource management headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

Atlantic Coast Radio, a locally owned radio network located in Portland, recently announced its partnership with the Portland Pirates, becoming the flagship radio station for all 80 Portland Pirates regular season hockey games and Calder Cup Playoffs.

U.S. Cellular recently built two new towers, one in Grand Isle to increase coverage in the town and along Route 1, and another in Bridgton to increase service along Route 302. U.S. Cellular also recently completed construction of five additional cell sites in Wells, York, Berwick and South Berwick.

Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington recently announced that accountant Natasha Erb recently received certification as a health care financial professional from the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Windham-based Saint Joseph’s College recently announced a new online graduate program in Catholic health care leadership to be offered as a concentration within the Master of Health Administration degree or as a certificate in Catholic health care leadership.

The Maine Historical Society recently announced the reopening of its Longfellow Garden. Located behind the Longfellow House in Portland, the garden has been closed for the past two seasons to accommodate the recently completed renovation and expansion of the adjacent Maine Historical Society Library.

The Association for Consulting Expertise in Portland recently sponsored Consultant’s Corner sessions at the Androscoggin Business-to-Business Trade Show in Lewiston by offering 45-minute consulting sessions to business owners and nonprofit directors.

Coastal Studies for Girls in Freeport, a residential science and leadership semester school for girls, recently announced it has begun admitting students.

Zone Labs Inc. a developer of nutraceutical products in Danvers, Mass., recently donated 23,000 nutrition bars, valued at $59,000, to Preble Street, a service provider to people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty in Portland.

Community Credit Union in Lewiston recently announced that Jessica Burgess has received certification as a teller specialist.

Down East Insurance Agency in Baileyville recently announced the acquisition of Allied Insurance Agency of Gardiner.

Accolades

Tim Bryant, a partner at Portland law firm Preti Flaherty, is one of 125 attorneys nationwide chosen for inclusion on the 2009 list of Legal Eagles by the Minneapolis-based national trade publication Franchise Times magazine.

Scott Anchors, a lecturer in management at the University of Maine’s Business School in Orono, has been selected to receive the 2009 Gordon Lawrence Educational Achievement Award from the Association of Psychological Type International in Dallas.

Gov. John Baldacci recently presented the following awards: The 2009 Exporter of the Year award to Elmet Technologies in Lewiston; the 2009 International Service Provider of the Year award to A.N. Deringer in Calais; the 2009 International Innovator of the Year award to Lee Academy in Lee; the 2009 Future Global Leader award to Andrew Totman of Brunswick and the 2009 President’s award to Catherine Lee of Lee International in Westbrook.

Oakhurst Dairy in Portland recently awarded Hemond Farm of Minot its Producer of the Year award for quality and Algahoma Farm of Knox its Producer of the Year award for volume production predictions.

Weichert, Realtors - Waterglen Group in Portland recently named Mary Desjardin broker of the month. 

Congressman Mike Michaud recently presented Don Guimond, town manager of Fort Kent, with the Small Business Administration’s Phoenix Award for Disaster Recovery as a Public Official. 

Maine Preservation recently presented Wright-Ryan Construction in Portland with a State Preservation Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation for its work on the Hathaway Shirt Mill in Waterville. Maine Preservation also awarded the Penobscot Theatre Co. in Bangor the Community Revitalization Award for its restoration of the façade of the historic Bangor Opera House. 

Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington was recently designated as a 2009 Professional Research Consultants recipient of five-star and four-star national excellence in health care awards in laboratory services, nursing care and emergency services. Professional Research Consultants is a national health-care research company headquartered in Omaha.

The Maine Credit Union League recently honored the following: Robert Walker of Monmouth Federal Credit Union in Monmouth with the Alexander Ferguson Award for Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer; Tucker Cole, president and CEO of Evergreen Credit Union in Portland, with the James M. Gratto Award for Outstanding Credit Union Manager; Marsha Richard of Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union in Brunswick with the Jeannette G. Morin Award for Outstanding Credit Union Employee; Richard Dupuis, president and CEO of Five County Credit Union in Bath, with the Maine CU League President’s Award for Outstanding League Volunteer; Lori Peakall-Cote, regional vice president at Down East Credit Union in Baileyville, with the Diane L. Oceretko People Helping People Award; and Mike Foley, vice president of Five County Credit Union in Bath, with the Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman’s Award. Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden and the Knox Center for Long Term Care in Rockland recently received an Excellence in Action award from Wisconsin-based My InnerView, a national company that specializes in performance-improvement solutions for the senior care profession.

Portland Buy Local recently awarded the following Portland businesses at its Indie Biz Awards ceremony: Portland Farmers Market received the Soul of Portland Award; Fore Street Restaurant received the Flavor of Portland Award; Portland Trails received the Environmental Hero Award; Micucci’s Grocery Store received the Portland’s Best Kept Secret Award; Coffee By Design received the Community Hero Award; Becky’s Diner received the Portland Totem Award; Emilie Inc. Photography received the Business With No Front Award; the Portland Museum of Art received the Global Hero Award; and Longfellow Books received the Wild Card Award.

Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development and Momentum Aroostook recently announced the following nominations for its Northern Maine’s 2009 Young Entrepreneur Award: Matthew Bell, owner of Northeast Pellets in Ashland; Emily Smith, co-owner of Smiths’ Farm Inc. in Presque Isle; and Melanie Stewart, owner of MOJO’s Sports in Presque Isle. 

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers recently named ecomaine’s waste-to-energy plant in Portland the small combustion facility of the year.

Presque Isle-based Shipwreck Galley Salsa was the recent first-place winner in the Hot Pepper Award’s chipotle category for its chipotle and tequila salsa, and the first-place winner of the Kato Production 2009 Fiery Food & Sauce competition for its black bean and beer salsa.

The New England Products Trade Show in Portland recently announced the winners of the 2009 Best New Product and Best Booth awards. The Maine Float-Rope Co. in Waldoboro won the 2009 Best New Product Giftware Award for its Down East Doormat; Pickles-N-Things in Auburn won the 2009 Best New Product Specialty Food Award for its Maine Cidah Sauce; and Maine Mountain Soap and Candle Inc. in Greenville won the 2009 Best Booth Award.

The Governor’s Council on Physical Activity recently honored the following with a 2009 Maine Fitness Award: The Old Orchard Beach Coordinated School Health Program in the school category; Worksite Stars of York County in Sanford in the community category; Maine Senior Games in Scarborough in the adult category; Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor in the special populations category; the city of Ellsworth Wellness Committee in the healthy workplace, small business category; National Semiconductor in South Portland in the healthy workplace, medium business category; the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor in the healthy workplace, large business category; and William Dexter, director of sports medicine at Maine Medical Center in Portland, in the lifetime achievement category.

Norway Savings Bank in Norway recently announced it has earned a five-star superior rating for the 77th consecutive quarter from Bauer Financial Inc., an independent bank and credit union ratings firm headquartered in Coral Gables, Fla.