Galbiati, Jewell named Entrepreneurs of Year

Staff Photo/Kathy McCarty
TOP HONORS — The creators of Twenty 2 vodka received the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year award from LEAD. From left are Scott Violette, Momentum Aroostook; Jessica Jewell and Scott Galbiati, owners of Northern Maine Distilling Comapny of Houlton; and Ginny Joles, outgoing LEAD president.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, of Houlton and creators of Twenty 2 Distilled Vodka, were named the 2011 Entrepreneurs of the Year at the May 26 wine tasting and dinner hosted by LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development and Momentum Aroostook and held at the Edmunds Conference Center at the Northern Maine Community College.
    The event kicked off with a meet-and-greet in the library, where the 14 nominees had an opportunity to display their wares and share information about their respective businesses with those attendance. Nominees  and the parties who nominated them include: Heidi Carter, Heidesign, nominated by Jesse Jalbert; Joe and Jan Bouchard of Bouchard Family Farm, Natalia Bragg of Knot II Bragg Farm, Thom Cote of Carvings by Cote/The Artist Nook, David Hentosh of Hentosh Bronze Sculptures and Smoldering Lake Outfitters, Steve and Judy Sherman of Oxbow Wreaths, and Dan Bell of The Cribbage Board Factory — all nominated by Patrick Patterson and Sandy Gibson of Meet The County; Kevin and Kristi Brannen of Spring Break Maple and Honey, and Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell of Twenty 2 Distilled Vodka — both nominated by Jon McLaughlin; Richard Porter of Spudland Alpacas, by Alan Perry; Kevin Quist and Linda Howe of Heywood Kennel Sled Dog Adventure and Northern M.O.S.S., by Erica Quinn Easter; Allison Gehring Wheeler of All Star Gymnastics, by Jim and Dianna Gehring; Rhett Fox of Fox Family Chips, by Patty LeBlanc; and Patrick Patterson and Sandy Gibson of Meet The County, nominated by Derik Smith.
    Dinner followed featuring foods from around the world, incorporating many of the nominees’ products, with Rob Ottaviano, director of Food Services, ARAMARK Dining Services, introducing each course and describing the beverage served with it.
    Jason Parent, Scott Violette, Virginia Joles, Shawn Cunningham, Natalie St. Pierre, Kelly Gumprecht and Penny Mints provided introductions for each honoree.
    “Heidi Carter is a County girl who has created logos for many organizations, including the biathlon logo and the Downtown Presque Isle project,” said Parent.
    Of the Bouchards, Parent said their business has “grown one ploye at a time,” and that anyone interested in “tasting the world’s largest ploye” need only visit Fort Kent come mid-July.
    Violette described Bragg’s business as a location where “past meets present and merge into one unique experience — where barter and trade are part of daily life.”
    Spring Break Maple, according to Violette, came about as a way to fill the “down time” during the “spring break which covers six to eight weeks around May.”
    Joles described Cote’s ability to “carve anything” and that the craftsman readily shares his knowledge with others, through classes “offered for both adults and children.”
    Of Meet The County, Joles said the business offers “unlimited product sales opportunities for those in the fabric of The County” and that Patterson’s and Gibson’s “knowledge and passion” helps promote “over 30 artisans and crafters from Island Falls to Allagash.”
    Hentosh’s ability to capture wildlife in sculpted pieces “touches our senses,” said Cunningham, noting, “His interest in animals, especially wildlife and the natural world around him” has caught the attention of not only local buyers but has gained national attention. “He did a sculpture of Barbara Walters’ dog Cha-Cha which was presented on her show, ‘The View.’”
    Cunningham said when you eat, sleep and dream something, “it may be a sign a career has chosen you” — describing Richard Porter’s connection with Spudland Alpacas. That love is flourishing, according to Cunningham, with Porter helping others start their own farms.
    What started as a business class project, said St. Pierre, has turned into Northern Maine Distilling Company for Galbiati and Jewell. Married in 2006, the couple use American-made equipment to make 50-gallon batches “of a truly unique product,” she said — even creating a “specialty drink for the United Way of Aroostook’s Denim & Diamonds event earlier this year.”
    St. Pierre described Heywood Kennels as a place where “they make dream adventures come true,” calling it a “true family business, offering true family fun.”
    What began as a class with eight students in 2008, said Gumprecht, has grown to over 300 participants in 2011. “All Star Gymnastics, based in Mars Hill, has expanded to such locations as Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield and Houlton, offering gymnastics, dance, cheerleading Irish step dancing and more,” said Gumprecht, noting students are “encouraged through positive reinforcement.”
    Fox Family Chips has experienced “an amazing road with a few learning curves,” according to Gumprecht, “starting in a store and expanding to factory production,” with sales to stores locally, as well as throughout the state.
    Mints said Oxbow Wreaths was opened in 1999 “as a gift shop, with 10 local artisans displaying their wares.” That has now grown to over 70. “They’ve been promoting artisans for years,” she said.
    Bell’s one-of-a-kind cribbage boards “are sold online and locally,” said Mints, noting, “most work reflects his native heritage.”
    Joles congratulated the 14 nominees, telling the audience to “shop and take part of what they have to offer.”
    “They are role models,” said Joles. “We’re proud they live here and have thriving businesses. They are all winners.”
    With that, Joles, in one of her last appearances as president of LEAD, announced that Galbiati and Jewell join 2010 winner Troy Haney and 2009 winner Matt Bell as Entrepreneurs of the Year.
    Galbiati, ever the businessman, spent much of the evening enthusiastically discussing his business and the process that goes into distilling vodka, how it’s bottled and hand-labeled, as well as the many flavors that can be created through a process called “infusion.” He and his wife, who were runners-up for last year’s award, appeared surprised at their win.
    “This is the best thing that could have happened to us. Congratulations to all the nominees,” said Galbiati.
    Galbiati and Jewell received a check for $500, a plaque and a sculpted award. An award was presented to the other honorees in recognition of their being nominated.