Business community honors Haney
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
TROY HANEY was named 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year during the Entrepreneur of the Year Wine Tasting and Dinner, held at the Edmunds Conference Center at NMCC May 27, hosted by LEAD and Momentum Aroostook. Pictured, from left are: Rachel Rice, Steering Committee chair; Haney, owner of Haney Building Specialties, of Caribou; Virginia “Ginny” Joles, of LEAD; and 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Matt Bell.
PRESQUE ISLE — This year’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Troy Haney — owner of Haney Building Specialties of Caribou — has made building a better future for his customers, family and staff a top priority. His dedication and determination were recognized at the second annual Entrepreneur of the Year Wine Tasting and Dinner, held May 27 at Northern Maine Community College.
This year’s nominees included: Danny Collins, Riverside Inn Restaurant, Presque Isle, nominated by Jennifer Brown; Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, co-owners of Northern Maine Distilling Co. dba Twenty 2 Micro Distilled Vodka, Houlton, nominated by Jon McLaughlin and Peter Chase; Terry Greenier, owner of I Care Pharmacy, Fort Fairfield, nominated by Kate Barnes; Troy Haney, owner of Haney Building Specialties, H&M, LLC, and Spud Speedway, Caribou, nominated by Nancy Chandler; Joey LaPierre, owner of BLVD Graphix, Limestone, nominated by Duane Walton; Floyd Rockholt, co-owner of Eagle Hill Stamp and Coin, Presque Isle, nominated by Theresa Fowler and Jim Taubin; and Darick Williams, manager for Dow, Herbert and Plourde, Inc., Caribou, nominated by Wilma Dow.
Festivities kicked off with entrepreneurs displaying examples of their work and greeting guests during a social held in the NMCC library, complete with light hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and sample wine. From there, participants gathered across the hall for wine tasting and dinner in the Edmunds Conference Center, with a welcome by NMCC President Tim Crowley, followed by Rachel Rice, chair of the Steering Committee, providing information about Momentum Aroostook and LEAD (Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development) and how each came into being.
Rice explained that both organizations work to promote jobs and resource development in Aroostook County.
Each organization “promotes development and reasons to stay in the County,” said Rice. “We’re working hard to make positive changes in the County. Nominees for Entrepreneur of the Year have taken big risk, impacting the environment of the County and encouraging development.”
Following dinner, each entrepreneur was introduced.
A.J. Clukey apologized for Collins, who was not able to attend due to a prior engagement. “Danny’s working and not able to be here,” said Clukey, as he explained how Collins got interested in being a businessman.
Clukey said Collins got his first taste for business, learning firsthand while working at his parents’ market.
“He always knew he wanted to run his own business,” said Clukey. “He learned if you’re good to your customers, they’ll be good in return.”
Matt Bell, 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year, was next, speaking about Galbiati and Jewell.
“They’ve built a reputation throughout the state. They hand-bottle and label each bottle. Congratulations, Scott and Jessica, on your nomination,” said Bell.
Ginny Joles provided details on Greenier’s business and why it’s such a success.
“He credits staff for the success. I Care has heart. He couldn’t do it without loyal employees. The business continues to grow, employing 17 and filling in excess of 3,000 prescriptions a year,” said Joles, noting that strong leadership skills have enabled the business to thrive, with continued growth expected in the coming year.
Erica Quin-Easter explained how Haney continues to look for new opportunities to expand services in Aroostook.
“He’s the quintessential entrepreneur. Starting in 1999, he’s become a fixture in Caribou, now has condo duplexes in Presque Isle and in 2009 purchased Spud Speedway. He also recently launched the Motor Sports Show in Presque Isle. It’s clear he knows his business and customers and takes pride in a job well done,” said Quin-Easter.
Jason Parent shared information on fellow Valley native, LaPierre.
“Joey grew up in the Valley,” said Parent, explaining how a business partnership out of state went sour but LaPierre turned it around. “When a partner absconded with half the property and rent money, Joey made sure no one lost any money — paid off everything. Since relocating from south Florida to Maine, he’s done well and has since opened BLVD Graphix. He and his wife decided to take the plunge — pledged all they had in equity to build up the garage. The most important thing to him is quality.”
Jennifer Flynn told how Rockholt turned a hobby into a career.
“At 12, Floyd began his business in Boston, buying and selling stamps. In 1981, he teamed up with Paul Saija. What stands out to me is his dedication to customers, young and old,” said Flynn.
Clare Exner rounded out the nominee descriptions, sharing a bit of background on Williams.
“Darick’s in the memory business. He began with funeral homes to create tributes to loved ones and has now expanded to weddings and other events. He’s a conservative risk taker who works to find viable ways to meet the needs of his customers,” said Exner.
Bell took the microphone, telling the audience what an honor it was to represent the area as the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year.
“It couldn’t have come at a more difficult time. It served as a pick-me-up,” said Bell, whose Ashland mill, Northeast Pellets, was destroyed by fire in March 2009. Reconstruction of the mill is now nearing completion.
Bell said with the honor came a number of duties.
“I’ve done several interviews on behalf of this. I was named to the ‘Maine Biz’ top 10 list. I attended the legislature and was named to the Maine Pellet Board and graduated NMCC and next fall will take a Husson class to finish my degree,” said Bell.
Bell had advice for this year’s winner.
“Take advantage of the doors about the be opened. We’re blessed to live in a community where people are willing to lend a helping hand,” said Bell.
Rice commended all nominees for their hard work, as the top honors were announced. First honorable mention went to Terry Greenier. Second honorable mention went to Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell. Haney was then named 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year.
“Thank you. The key to all these businesses’ success is having good friends and family. All these different businesses we run wouldn’t be here without them,” said Haney.
When asked how he planned on fitting in the added duties of Entrepreneur of the Year, with all the other ventures he has going, Haney replied, “I still have three free hours a day.”
SEVEN HOPEFULS were nominated for 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year. Pictured at the May 27 event hosted by LEAD and Momentum Aroostook at NMCC are, front row, from left: Matt Bell, 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year; Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, co-owners of Twenty 2 Micro Distilled Vodka, of Houlton, who were received second honorary mention; Troy Haney, owner of Haney Building Specialties, of Caribou, who was named 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year; and Terry Greenier, owner of I Care Pharmacy, of Fort Fairfield, who received first honorary mention. In back, from left are: Rachel Rice, Steering Committee chair; Joey LaPierre, owner, BLVD Graphix, of Limestone; Darick Williams, of Dow, Hebert and Plourde, Inc., of Caribou; Floyd Rockholt, co-owner of Eagle Hill Stamp & Coin, of Presque Isle; and Virginia “Ginny” Joles, of LEAD.
