LEAD, APP hold annual joint meeting
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Members of LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development and Aroostook Partnership for Progress held their annual joint meeting June 10 at the Edmunds Conference Center at the Northern Maine Community College.
William Egeler, NMCC’s dean of students, welcomed all in attendance, noting the longstanding relationship between NMCC and APP and that officials with both organizations continue to look for ways to improve the future.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
WELCOME TO AROOSTOOK — James D. Irving, president of J.D. Irving, Limited — parent company of Northern Maine Railway — is pictured accepting a gift basket from Virginia Joles, outgoing president of LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development, during the annual LEAD and APP breakfast, held June 10 at NMCC. Irving served as guest speaker for the event, sharing his company’s plans for rail service in the region.
“There are struggles facing those in tough economic times. Our commitment to improving the future for all continues,” said Egeler.
Sen. Susan Collins, who was unable to attend, shared a recorded message with the group.
“Growing up I learned how much can be accomplished by working together,” said Collins, noting members of LEAD and APP continue their efforts “to build new opportunities for the people of The County.”
Collins said in order to provide opportunities, she’s worked to improve transportation to and from the region, including working to change the federal law to allow heavier trucks to use I-95 instead of secondary roads and fighting to maintain rail service between Madawaska and Millinocket.
“I appreciate the importance of rail and have worked to maintain (service),” Collins said, recalling the 1,700 jobs that were saved that might otherwise have been lost. She praised Denis Berube, of NMDC, and Nate Moulton, of the MDOT, for their efforts to keep freight moving. Collins also wished J.D. Irving good luck as the company assumes the duties of the newly-acquired line, operating as Northern Maine Railway.
Chris Anderson, 2010-11 chair for APP, offered a review of the past year and how APP and Mobilize Maine were “the perfect fit,” noting that public sector (NMDC) works closely with the non-profit (LEAD) and private (APP) sectors to the betterment of The County as a whole.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CHANGING OF THE GUARD — Virginia Joles, at left, welcomes Jon McLaughlin as her successor as president of LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development, during the annual LEAD and APP breakfast held June 10 at NMCC.
APP officers and directors were approved for the 2011-12 year and include:
• Officers — Kris Doody, Cary Medical Center, chair; Sylvia Getman, TAMC, vice chair; Bob Clark, NMDC, public vice chair; Mark Wilcox, Dead River Company, treasurer; and Calvin Deschene, United Insurance, secretary;
• Directors — Larry Shaw, MMG Insurance; Jon Prescott, Katahdin Trust Company; Lois Smith, MPS; Steve Gagnon, KeyBank; Chris Anderson, F.A. Peabody; and Richard Daigle, Daigle Oil; and
• Ex-Officio — Jon McLaughlin, LEAD; Tim Crowley, NMCC; Wilson Hess, UMFK; and Dr. Don Zillman, UMPI.
Walt Elish, APP president, spoke next, telling those present, “When you have the private sector driving the train, you stay on goals.”
“When you operate as a team, you get a lot of people working to make things happen,” said Elish, as he offered highlights of APP’s activities over the past year, including an “opportunity to showcase Aroostook County to the national public” and Mobilize Northern Maine’s focusing on IT improvements and renewable energy possibilities in the area, as a way to grow business in Aroostook.
Elish noted that “the whole focus of the two clusters is engaging and increasing the economic possibilities in the County.”
“We’re attempting to bring in primarily small companies — bringing these companies together to see how they could collectively bid on work, keep it (work) in the County and continue to grow their businesses as a result,” said Elish.
Virginia “Ginny” Joles, outgoing president of LEAD, followed with a report on her organization, highlighting various activities and events over the past year.
LEAD directors include:
• Term through 2014 — Jim Davis, Pines Health Services; Virginia Joles, Maine Public Service; Jon McLaughlin, Southern Aroostook Development Corporation; Doug Morrell, Stainless Food Services and Equipment; and Linda Smith, MDL, Inc. dba KFC/Taco Bell;
• Term through 2013 — Nathan Berry, Barresi Benefits; Patti Crooks, Aroostook Centre Mall; Jennifer Curran, TEMPO Employment Services; Carl Flora, Loring Development Authority; and Bruce Sandstrom, The Aroostook Medical Center; and
• Term through 2012 — Dave Cambridge, Katahdin Trust Company; Mike Smith, Maine Winter Sports Center; Steve Fitzpatrick, F.A. Peabody; Dick Haines, retired; Roger Roy, Rainbow Cove, LLC; and Tim Vernon, MMG Insurance.
Also serving with LEAD are ex-officio directors — Robert Clark, NMDC; Terrence Kelly, UMFK; Jason Parent, NMCC; and Donald Zillman, UMPI.
Officers for 2012 include: John McLaughlin, president; Jim Davis, vice president; Linda Smith, treasurer; Jennifer Curran, secretary; and Virginia Joles, immediate past president.
“LEAD promotes Aroostook activities, like the biathlon in Fort Kent and Presque Isle. It also has a strong turnout in Augusta — every Wednesday we hold a ‘phone home’ session, hosted by NMCC, that offers business leaders here to talk with our representatives in Augusta,” explained Joles.
Joles recognized this year’s Entrepreneurs of the Year, Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, of Houlton, owners of Twenty 2 Vodka. Larry Clark, executive director of the Presque Isle Industrial Council, was selected door prize winner, receiving a bottle of Twenty 2 — with instructions from Joles to “pay it forward.”
Five County businesses were named to the 2011 LEAD Hall of Fame and presented with a $100 for “doing business in Aroostook County,” with the stipulation that they, in turn, “pay the act of kindness forward,” said Joles, either by rewarding an outstanding employee or some other token of appreciation.
Making the list were the following businesses: small, St. John Valley Times; medium, Scott Carlin and the Star City IGA; large, TEMPO and Lois Dixon; big, Smith & Wesson of Houlton; and non-profit, Healthy Aroostook and Carol Bell. Also recognized but not receiving a monetary award was Ezzy’s Music Shop of Van Buren for its 63 years of service.
Anderson and Joles were also recognized for their leadership and presented with awards.
The breakfast conclude with guest speaker James Irving discussing the future of rail in Aroostook, now that J.D. Irving has taken over ownership of nearly 233 miles of track formerly operated by Montreal, Maine & Atlantic, with Northern Maine Railway beginning service recently on a rotational basis to various areas of the County.
