Courtesy/Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
LaNiece Sirois, executive director of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
Updated: November 25, 2020
What 11 Maine business, nonprofit leaders are thankful for in 2020
Photo / Unsplash Inc.
Mainebiz asked business movers and shakers from around the state what they are most thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, Mainebiz asked business and nonprofit movers and shakers from around the state what they are most thankful for this year. Their answers offer plenty of food for thought.
Business community resilience
"I truly appreciate the resilience of our businesses community. Navigating the changes brought to us this year, many have continued with a powerful determination to continue to offer their goods and services. I’ve witnessed a newfound bravery in overcoming challenges this year. We continue to stand strong in a unified effort to see this through — that is the strength of our County. I am grateful to be part of it.”
— LaNiece Sirois, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce executive director
Kindness and simple pleasures
“I am thankful for the respect and kindness of the Thomas College community, the love and unwavering support of family and precious friends, and the simple pleasures of watching the sunrise and the sunset in this beautiful state.”
— Laurie Lachance, Thomas College president
Safe workforce, more family time
"From a business perspective, I'm most thankful that our entire employee team was able to work (on site no less) full-time and safely the entire year. No one lost hours. No one lost pay. Everyone was safe and the camaraderie that in-person work teams provide was a welcomed piece of near normalcy. From a personal perspective, I'm thankful for the unexpected way the year of COVID slowed things down. There was more time at home — more time with family — and less racing around. There is no way to turn the virus into any form of positive as much too much has been risked, disrupted and lost, but there was a wake-up call with respect to the pace with which humanity had been moving, and an opportunity to adjust that pace has been provided."
— Kevin Hancock, Hancock Lumber Co. chairman and CEO
File photo/Tim Greenway
Nancy Strojny was honored as a Mainebiz Woman to Watch in 2017.
Hardworking business owners
“I'm very thankful for the hardworking business owners who have kept their lights on during this unprecedented time — it is a testament to their grit and fortitude. I'm thankful for the people in Maine who work so collaboratively, and the result is the tide lifts us all. And I'm thankful that I chose the unexpected path of volunteering with SCORE. Giving back provides a lens of opportunity and lifelong learning that is unmatched in a professional setting.”
— Nancy Strojny, SCORE Maine assistant district director
Team spirit
"I am most thankful for my team. At the same time we addressed the issues of an incredibly challenging environment, we made tremendous strides towards shaping Great Diamond Partners into an empathetic and progressive firm that we are all proud of. It was a test of balance that the team passed with flying colors.”
— Steven Tenney, Great Diamond Partners founding partner and CEO
'That laughter still ripples'
“I am thankful that Higgins Beach exists, that tennis can still be played, and that laughter still ripples. I am astounded by the generosity of hundreds of helpers, including the crazy staff and volunteers at My Place Teen Center. I am emboldened by collective action and goodwill. May peace and vibrant health prevail.”
— Donna Dwyer, My Place Teen Center president and CEO
Silver linings
Courtesy/Opticliff Law
Opticliff Law managing partner Ezekiel Callanan
"I am thankful and grateful that despite a tough year, there are silver linings all around us, and people are spending time bringing those into focus, while taking this unique period of time to create, to build, to ideate, and to love their families, friends and their Earth, and through that process are becoming more mindful of who they are and how they impact the other people and places around them."
— Ezekiel Callanan, Opticliff Law managing partner
PR 'dharma,' paternal guidance
“I am thankful that with the guidance of my late father, Frank Briggs, I found the profession of PR that perfectly suits my personality and skill set. For me, PR is my ‘dharma,’ the thing I was born to do. I am also grateful that with my innate entrepreneurial spirit, I was able to start my PR business at age 31 that is still thriving today amidst the pandemic, and I've built a fulfilling life around my business that also included raising two amazing sons, who are the light of my life. And today, I continue to learn new techniques of the trade and share my passion for what I do with my employee team, my clients and the listeners of ‘The PR Maven’ podcast. I feel so blessed.”
— Nancy Marshall, Marshall Communications founder and CEO
Hiking trails
Courtesy/Justin Lamontagne
The Lamontagne family atop Mount Kineo with Moosehead Lake in the background.
“I am thankful for the outdoors. I’ll remember this pandemic as a chance to introduce my kids to Maine’s incredible hiking trails. During the quarantine month of April alone, we hiked 22 out of 30 days. It was wonderful therapy.”
— Justin Lamontagne, NAI The Dunham Group partner and designated broker, Maine Commercial Association of Realtors president 2019-20
Bankable employees
“First and foremost, I’m thankful that my family is safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. I’m also thankful our 150 employees at Kennebec Savings Bank and their ability, during an extremely challenging year, to put our customers’ needs above all else. Whether it’s helping with stimulus checks, supporting a business with a PPP loan or helping secure a mortgage for a new homeowner, our employees have been truly outstanding. I am very proud to work with such a great and dedicated group of people at Kennebec Savings Bank.”
— Andrew Silsby, Kennebec Savings Bank president and CEO
Support during uncertain times
File photo / Jim Neuger
Mike Mwenedata of Rwanda Bean Co.
"Despite the challenging times that we are all currently facing, the core mission of Rwanda Bean Co. continues unchanged: To deliver amazing coffee to our communities here in Maine and keep supporting our farmer communities back in Rwanda while following health experts' guidance to keep us all safe. As we head into this holiday weekend, we are very grateful for our communities’ support during these uncertain times, and we wish everyone a very happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving."
— Mike Mwenedata, Rwanda Bean Co. founder and CEO
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