Significant professional accomplishment: Rejoining a community and being an active participant in the renaissance of Skowhegan as a business owner, volunteer, neighbor and philanthropist. Since 2008, I have established five new businesses in Skowhegan, joined multiple local boards, including Main Street Skowhegan, the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce, Redington Fairview General Hospital and Skowhegan Savings Bank; and supported hundreds of local initiatives supporting children, schools, first responders, ski mountains, among many others. The success of our community is as important as the success of my businesses — which has a reciprocal relationship. Oh, and being selected for Mainebiz’s 40 Under 40, of course!
Passion project: I have two: The Skowhegan Early Childhood Education Center. And the Madison affordable rural rental housing project.
Audacious goal: U.S. senator and/or Maine governor — neither of which are on my current radar considering my work, life, and family balance and my immediate goals.
Favorite quote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Influential book: “10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help That Actually Works — A True Story,” by Dan Harris
Favorite movies/TV shows: Currently, “Ted Lasso.” Also: “Suits and “King of Queens.” Movies that I will watch no matter what if they are on TV — ”Christmas Vacation” and “Goodfellas” — commercials, editing and all.
How do you recharge: That’s a thing? I mostly try to add battery capacity instead of recharging current capacity, which is probably terrible! Relaxation happens at camp with my family as I try my best (also terrible) to disconnect with work and projects.