Stan Bennett, 1947-2011 | Maine's business and environmental communities lose a true leader
It would be a challenge to find a child in Maine, or an adult for that matter, who has not drunk Oakhurst Dairy milk. So when Stanley T. Bennett II, chairman and CEO of Oakhurst Dairy, died recently, he left a legacy that included environmental activism, an unimpeachable business reputation, and also, possibly, the unparalleled claim of aiding growth spurts in thousands of Maine children.
Bennett was 64 when he died Feb. 23 of pancreatic cancer, the Portland Press Herald reported. In 1983, he became president of Oakhurst Dairy, the largest independent dairy processor in Maine, carrying on the three-generation family business operating at the same Portland location since 1921. Bennett grew up in Portland, graduated from Tufts University and earned a law degree from Boston University, according to the Press Herald.
Bennett expanded Oakhurst Dairy by acquiring smaller milk processors and delivering effective marketing campaigns, which included the company slogan, “The Natural Goodness of Maine.” He also modernized the business, investing in clean-energy technology by installing solar panels on the company’s roof, buying hybrid sales vehicles and using biofuels in its trucks. In 2006, Mainebiz named Bennett business leader of year, honoring his philanthropy and his knack for turning profits in a competitive industry where margins are low. Every year, Oakhurst donates 10% of its profits to charity.
In 2002, Bennett drew national attention when he took on agri-giant Monsanto Corp., which sued Oakhurst Dairy, demanding it remove its “growth hormone-free” labels from its milk containers. His battle set a precedent for healthy dairy products in the industry, according to the Press Herald. In 2009, he agreed to distribute organic milk for 10 small organic dairy farmers after they lost their buyer, helping sustain the farms.
His drive was expressed in this statement he made to Mainebiz five years ago. “Unfortunately, you can never stand stagnant,” he said. “If we’re not striving to increase sales, if we just stay put, we can’t be successful. It never ends, but that’s what makes it interesting and exciting.”
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