Meet Maine's best!
Here they are, winners of the 2010 Maine Family Business Awards sponsored by the Institute of Family-Owned Business; and here's what judges said about them:
Leon Gorman Award (25-plus employees)
Marden's Surplus & Salvage, Inc., Waterville
"An organized family business, where family members are hands-on. They work their way up in the company, while serving their community."
Maddy Corson Award (fewer than 25 employees)
Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards, Cumberland
"An awesome family business that continued to prosper in the difficult farming industry through six generations. The Sweetsers are the brand of their product."
Shep Lee Award (community service)
GHM Agency, Waterville
"GHM has consistently given back to the community in volunteer time and money to over 50 non-profit organizations."
Honorable Mention
Mancini Electric, Portland
"A large business with the feel of a small, friendly, family business, that has seen substantial growth since Anthony Mancini immigrated to the United States. Growth is, in part, credited to the relationships he has built with customers and the involvement of his children."
To all of the firms that entered the competition, and the finalists, our sincere thank-you. Being nominated is an honor in itself.
The May 17 celebration at the Marriott Hotel in South Portland marked the 11th year of these prestigious awards that showcase family-owned businesses, the backbone of this state's economy.
Learn more about the annual Awards, and the Institute, a non-profit organization whose year-around work is defined by workshops, consulting, and networking opportunities. See how your family-owned business may benefit. Contact Tom Juenemann, director, at 207.780.5935 or go to www.fambusiness.org.
Special thanks to Stephen Kircher of Boyne Resorts for being our guest speaker and to Gregg Lagerquist of WGME for emceeing our evening.
These firms are the elite for 2010, judged from nominations totaling 70, with criteria that included...
- business success,
- positive business and family linkages,
- contributions to community and industry,
- family participation,
- work environment,
- communication,
- innovative business practices or strategies.
Congratulations to all our 2010 Maine Family Business Award Finalists:
Leon Gorman Award (25 plus employees)
- Allied Cook Construction Corporation, Scarborough
- Butler Bros, Lewiston
- Diversified Communications, Portland
- Funtown Splashtown USA, Inc, Saco
- GHM Agency, Waterville
- Mancini Electric, Portland
- Marden's Surplus & Salvage, Inc, Waterville
- Pioneer Telephone, South Portland
Maddy Corson Award (under 25 employees)
- Blackbear Signworks, Saco
- Catch A Piece of Maine, Portland
- Gamache & Lessard, Auburn
- Gorham Fitness Studio, Gorham
- LT's Inc, Portland
- Spelt Right, Inc, Yarmouth
- Sweetser's Apple Barrel & Orchards, Cumberland Center
- The Makeup Shop, South Portland
- Twin City Dental Laboratory, Inc, & Smile Again Dentures, Lewiston
- Wescott & Sons, Inc, Gorham
All Finalists are considered for the Shep Lee Award (for Community Service).
