BREWER, Maine — The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine will hold its 22nd annual meeting Friday, May 5, with speakers including U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin and awards to organizations and individuals including Poliquin, State Sen. Paul Davis, former State Rep. Jeff McCabe and many PLC members for their outstanding contributions to the logging industry over the last year.
The meeting will be held at Jeff’s Catering at 15 Littlefield Rd. in Brewer. See the full schedule at: http://maineloggers.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Annual-Mtg-Invite-2017.pdf
“The PLC represents the root of the forest products industry in the state of Maine,” Dana Doran, executive director of the PLC, said. “Our annual meeting is a time to reflect, a time to celebrate and a time to plan for the future. The PLC has made significant strides on behalf of loggers, forest contractors, and forest truckers in the past 22 years and stands ready to continue its work on behalf of the industry for years to come.”
The morning meeting is members-only, but the remainder of the day’s events are open to supporting members and invited guests, and will include luncheon remarks from Jimmie Locklear of Forestry Mutual Insurance on Team Safe Trucking, a non-profit group seeking to elevate the standard and performance of the American forest industry’s transportation sector. Evening events include the Annual Log A Load Auction, Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
Awards will be presented to the following individuals and organizations:
PLC Logger of the Year Award: This award recognizes a PLC logging contractor for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession. The winner this year is Madden Sustainable Forestry of Milford.
PLC Impact Awards: Each year, the PLC recognizes someone from the public sector who has demonstrated a commitment to the industry and has made a significant impact for its improvement. This year the PLC recognizes three individuals for this award. The winners this year are Poliquin, Davis and McCabe.
PLC Community Service Award: This award is given annually to a PLC member, supporting member or affiliated organization who has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community. The winner this year is Dean Young Forestry of Franklin.
Acadia Insurance Safety Award: In 1999, the PLC and Acadia Insurance partnered together to make safety a priority in the logging industry by creating a member benefit for PLC contractors, providing training and education, reducing claims and increasing profitability. This award is given to a company that continuously demonstrates safety throughout their business. The winner this year is J.L. Brochu, Inc.
PLC Supporting Member Award: This award is presented annually to a PLc supporting member who has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in Maine. The winner this year is Cross Insurance.
PLC President’s Award: The President’s Award is presented to an individual or organization within the PLC which has had a significant and positive impact on the PLC and the logging industry in Maine. The winner this year is Sappi.
Master Logger Supporters Award: The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands recognizes outstanding supporters of the Northeast Master Logger Certification Program. The winner this year is Maine Woodland Owners.
The annual meeting is one of the PLC’s major fund-raisers for the Log A Load for Kids Foundation to benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, and last year raised more than $36,000 in support of the cause. The campaign encourages loggers and others in the forest products community to donate the value of one load of logs, or any amount, to local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
The PLC and the Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS) Foundation have raised nearly $900,000 since 1996 for children in Maine. Donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. EMHS is a CMN hospital.
