LaPlante named Entrepreneur of the Year

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Cory LaPlante, who has grown his prosthetics and orthotics business from one employee to more than 10, was named 2014 Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year by Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development and Momentum Aroostook.
LaPlante was recognized at a banquet and awards ceremony on May 22, held at NMCC. The owner of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics topped four other finalists to receive the award. Others making the top five included: Steve Pelletier of Valley Motors and Pelletier Ford in Fort Kent, who was named first runner-up; Marc Brown and Mark Jones of Cam Manufacturing in Presque Isle, who were named second runners-up; with honorable mentions going to Van Buren’s Patrick Vaillancourt of Northern Turf Management; and Mike Cyr, owner of Mike’s Family Market in Limestone and Mike’s Quik Stop in Caribou.
NMCC President Tim Crowley kicked off the event by welcoming all in attendance. He was followed by Amy Bouchard, of Momentum Aroostook.
“It’s said fortune favors the brave. It takes a lot to venture into the business world. Most don’t get past the computer folder marked ‘business ideas.’ Tonight may inspire some to take that leap of faith,” said Bouchard.
Serving as emcees for the evening were Ginny Joles and Jason Parent.
“Tonight is to highlight success stories and inspire young people. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year does that,” said Parent.
“Because of this program, we learn about the tools out there” available to those interested in starting a business, said Joles. “LEAD is an advocate and takes messages to Augusta. It’s very important not just for us to tell us about us but to tell Augusta.”
Parent said when this program began, LEAD wanted to connect with the younger people in Aroostook.
“The key is our higher education institutions in Aroostook,” said Parent, with Joles noting, “That group of people serve as our judges.”
This year’s judges’ panel included: Jim Davis, LEAD president; Stacy Emerson, UMPI; Jennifer Flynn, Husson University; Dave Harbison, Bison Pumps, 2013 winner; Beth Hummel, NMCC; and Scott Voisine, UMFK.
The top three finalists were then given an opportunity to talk about their respective businesses. Brown and Jones, of Cam Manufacturing were first up, followed by LaPlante and Pelletier.
Ryan Pelletier, LEAD executive director, said in a statement there were several “outstanding nominations” this year.
“The selection committee did a good job getting it down to the five finalists,” said Pelletier. “The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Resources — The Idea Starts Here’ and the finalists showed if you have a good idea and run with it, good things can happen.”
LEAD President Jim Davis was impressed with the number of candidates this year.
“This year’s recognition, representing the largest number of nominees — 16 — since the inception of the award in 2009, makes the statement that entrepreneurship is alive in Aroostook County,” said Davis. “LEAD is proud to be a co-sponsor of this annual competition and awards for those who truly are making economic development happen.”
In his presentation to the approximately 70 people in attendance, LaPlante recounted how in high school he lost his leg above the knee to cancer. He went on to say his prosthesis broke only a few days before his high school prom and on the long ride to fix it in New Hampshire, the seeds of starting a practice in The County were born.
In addition to detailing how his practice began, LaPlante was quick to point out he has had some help along the way.
“I wouldn’t be here tonight if it wasn’t for my staff; if I am the Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year, it is because of them,” he said, before knowing the outcome of the competition. “I was also fortunate at the start to have some investors who believed in my vision.”
LaPlante started Northern Prosthetics in 1997 as the only employee. Now the staff has grown to nine full-time and two part-time employees occupying a new facility on Academy Street in Presque Isle.
In 2013, the U.S. Small Business Administration named LaPlante Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Maine and New England.
LaPlante resides in Presque Isle with his wife, Monica, and their three sons: Jack, Charlie and Henry.
Plaques were given to the awardees, with past winner Harbison having the honor of presenting the top award to LaPlante.
Past winners include: Harbison in 2013 (Bison Pumps), Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell in 2011 (Twenty-2 Vodka), Troy Haney in 2010 (Haney Building Supplies), and Matt Bell in 2009 (Northeast Pellets). No award was presented in 2012.