🔒Spring inspirations

I first met Peter Rinck, CEO of Rinck Advertising and his wife, Laura Davis, president, 10 years ago when the fledgling Auburn firm was tapped to organize and market the governor's conference on the creative economy.

Now this wasn't your typical conference in the Augusta Civic Center. It was held in the Bates Mill Complex in Lewiston, inside buildings that were under renovation (and some that were not). The keynote was Richard Florida, who was riding a wave of popularity around his book, “The Rise of the Creative Class.” NPR's Nick Spitzer emceed the entertainment. Break-out sessions were held in vacuous mill space bisected by fabric sound panels. Lunches were packed in apple crates, eaten picnic style. The whole conference had a funky, cool vibe that sparked interest in the creative economy from a policy perspective long after the 700 attendees left.

For Rinck Advertising, then a small shop bringing in about $1 million in revenues, it was an opportunity to showcase its community and its professional prowess. Today, Peter's firm tops $6 million in revenue, counts 24 full-time employees and handles accounts for big players like Dean Foods and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. It also donates more than $200,000 a year toward charities, an indication that the company hasn't lost its heart as it continues to make its mark in the advertising world. For those accomplishments, we chose Peter as this year's Small Company Business Leader of the Year. 

Coincidentally, he's chummy with another of our 2014 Business Leaders of the Year: Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. Rinck Advertising holds the marketing contract for the Downeaster, the popular passenger rail that now extends from Brunswick to Boston. Under Patricia's leadership, the rail broke ridership and revenue records in 2013 (5% and 9%, respectively, over 2012 numbers). Embracing a leadership style that challenges the status quo and continually keeps customer service at its core, Patricia has developed innovative initiatives that draw accolades from riders and Amtrak authorities alike. Add Mainebiz to the chorus: We've named her our Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year. Her profile starts on page 26.

And finally, we shine a light on Royce Cross and his family, the patriarchs of Cross Insurance, which has been quietly building an insurance agency empire throughout New England. From its simple offices in Bangor, Cross Insurance has executed an acquisition strategy that has created a company with more than 600 employees and just under $1 billion in premiums. Last year, it acquired the Maine assets of multinational insurance agency Willis, its fifth acquisition of the year. It also pledged $3 million for the naming rights to the new Bangor arena, a critical piece of financing for the venue. Respected for his honesty and integrity, Royce Cross is our 2014 Large Company Business Leader of the Year. His profile starts on page 18. His thoughts on character, by the way, make for compelling viewing of his video at mainebiz.biz/BLOYcross.

We always find inspiration in our Business Leaders of the Year; I'm sure you will, too. And to help you imagine what you might do if you find exceptional success in your career, we offer insight into wealth management services in Senior Writer Lori Valigra's story, “Discreet courtship,” which starts on page 30. Within the same focus section on page 36 is an explainer from attorney Bryan Dench detailing the tax incentives that lure high net worth people from Maine to elsewhere. It's an eye-opener.