Contributed photo/Jon Gulliver
TOP HONORS — 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Joshua McLaughlin of J. McLaughlin Construction of Houlton, center, accepts his plaque from 2014 winner Cory LaPlante of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics. Also pictured is Jim Davis, president of LEAD who sponsors the annual recognition ceremony.
PRESQUE ISLE — A businessman whose love of northern Maine and his hometown led him to start a business in Houlton in 2012 is now, three years later, the 2015 LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year.
At a banquet and awards ceremony last Thursday at Northern Maine Community College, Joshua McLaughlin of J. McLaughlin Construction LLC in Houlton was bestowed the honor, topping first runners-up Dale and Mark Chamberland of R.F. Chamberland in St. Agatha and Brian Plavnick of G-Force Laser Tag in Caribou, who was second runner-up.
“We had 12 outstanding nominations and the selection committee did a good job getting it down to the three finalists,” said LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier.
In his presentation to the approximately 65 people in the audience, McLaughlin said this award is only made possible due to the hard work and dedication of his employees. He also thanked the many people who supported him as he grew the earthwork business.
McLaughlin has also grown his operation by recently purchasing Dickison and London, where he was formerly employed. The purchase has enabled McLaughlin to move his operations into a more spacious and visible location on Bangor Street.
In addition to growing his company, McLaughlin is the president of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation.
He resides in Houlton with his wife and three children.
“We can be extraordinarily proud of every person and organization participating in this year’s recognition and awards,” said LEAD President Jim Davis. “This event enables us to celebrate and recognize the folks throughout The County who are putting it all on the line for an idea, product or service about which they are passionate. Entrepreneurs are the business people who see an opportunity and move to fill a need. They remind us that The County’s economy is not dead, but has a vibrancy and growth that simply takes a bit more effort to find.”
Other nominees included: Andrew Birden of Fort Kent (Fiddlehead Focus), Jenny Gagnon of Frenchville (Avon Consultant), Andrew Marquis of St. Agatha (Marquis Tree Works), Joe and Greg Hedrich of Presque Isle (Northeastland Hotel, Bonanza Restaurant and Town and Country Apartments), Dave DeMerchant of Presque Isle (Rosella’s Restaurant and Northeast Trophy and Norogala Show Ribbons), Jonathan Kelley of Presque Isle (CompetitorME), Amy Murphy of Presque Isle (Amy’s Flowers), Patrick Vaillancourt of Van Buren (Northern Turf Management) and Ricky Nadeau of Madawaska (County Connection Pub and Nightclub).
A panel of six judges, representing LEAD and the supporting organizations, Husson University, Northern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the 2014 Aroostook Entrepreneur winner Cory LaPlante of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics, selected the 2015 finalists.
Emcees for the awards banquet were Jason Parent and Ginny Joles, who have served in the same capacity since the competition was first held in 2009.
Past winners include, David Harbison in 2013 (Bison Pumps), Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell (22 Vodka) in 2011, Troy Haney (Haney Building Supplies) in 2010 and Matt Bell (Northeast Pellets) in 2009.
