2 0 0 9 THE CHAMBER N E W S

INSIDE:

2009 Referenda

Calendar of Events

Education Committee

2009-2010 Non-ProfitSeries

Fall Seminars

Bob Labrie Seminar

Whats Up

Best Places to work inMaine

Business Advocacy

Happening Here! Logo

Member in Focus

Entrepreneurs Summit

Energy Savings

S E P T E M B E R

THE BUSINESS SERVICE

CENTER AT KEYBANK PLAZA

P.O. BOX 59LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059PH: (207) 783-2249FAX: (207) 783-4481WEBSITE: WWW.ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY.COM

E-MAIL:INFO@ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY.COM

P A G E 1 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

YPLAA CANDID CANDIDATES 2009YPLAA, in conjunction

with The Chamber is host-ing a candidates night onOctober 7th at the FrancoAmerican Heritage Center.All candidates for CityCouncil positions in the cities of Lewiston and Auburn willbe invited to participate as will all candidates for Mayor inthe two cities. The evening will start at 5:30pm with areception, followed by an introduction of candidates at6:00pm. The evening will conclude with a question/answersession and a continuation of the networking reception.Candid Candidates is being planned by the YPLAABetterment Committee under the leadership of AdilahMuhammad, Kelly Jaeger, and Jennifer Gendron.

YPLAA WELCOMES NEW CHAIRHillary Eaton, Director of Marketing andBusiness Development at AustinAssociates, PA, took over as YPLAAchair on July 1st!

YPLAA ANNUAL MEETINGThe 2009 YPLAA Annual Meeting and Awards night will bea Murder Mystery Dinner on October 30, 2009 at MartindaleCountry Club. The night includes entertainment, a buffetdinner and the YPLAAwards. Come dressed in your favoriteHalloween costume! Tickets are $35 each and can be pur-chased online at www.yplaa.com.

YPLAAWARDSYPLAA is looking for nominations of exceptional under 40’swho live, work or volunteer in Androscoggin County for thefollowing 2009 YPLAA Awards:Entrepreneur Award – a YP who has successfully startedor expanded a business in the areaCommunity Involvement Award – a YP who has exhibitedproactive involvement in the community beyond their jobduties“Against All Odds” Award – a YP who has become a suc-cess against all odds

The following awards are for individuals or businesses thathave supported YPLAA or Young Professionals (not neces-sarily in the 20-40 age range):Mentor Award – an individual who has successfullyimpacted a Young Professionals life to help them achievesuccessBusiness Champion – a business that has supported YP’s intheir organization to be a part of YPLAA and participate inevents and other activities.

If you would like to nominate someone, visitwww.yplaa.com. The nomination deadline is October 1,2009.

SCRAMBLE RAISES $42,000The 10th Annual Chamber/CMCC Scholarship Scramble washeld on August 26 at Martindale. The tournament raisedover $42,000 for scholarships for local students. Our deep-est thanks to Tournament Sponsor White Rock Distilleries,and Co-sponsors Skelton, Taintor, & Abbott, The BuckleyGroup - Jason Allen, and the Wal*Mart DistributionCenter for their extraordinary generosity in underwriting thetournament. The other sponsors were:Hat Sponsor: Mechanics Private BankReception Sponsor: TD BanknorthLunch Sponsor: Wal*Mart Distribution CenterCart Sponsors: Platz Associates and Androscoggin BankContributing Sponsors: Central Maine Orthopaedics, GHMInsurance Agency, Procter & Gamble, and St. Mary’s HealthSystemPutting Green Sponsors: Mountain Machine Works andPatrons Oxford Insurance Co Long Drive Sponsors: Liberty Mutual and Wells FargoAdvisorsSupporting Sponsors: Neokraft and Sun JournalPhoto Sponsor: Make Their Day-Send Out CardsHole in One Sponsor: Emerson ToyotaHole Sponsors: Anthoine Financial Group,AVCOG/MMEP, Camden National Bank, Central MaineMedical Center, Central Maine Power, Champoux InsuranceAgency, Clover Health Care, Community Credit Union,Cyber Solutions, Downeast Energy & Building Supply,Evergreen Subaru, First Choice Printing, Hahnel Bros Co,Harriman Associates, Lebel & Harriman, Nason MechanicalSystems, Norman, Hanson & Detroy LLC, Ouellette &Associates P.A., Pepsi Bottling Group, Redlon & Johnson,Rinck Advertising, Roopers, Strainrite Companies, TDBanknorth Wealth Management, Wahlco Metroflex andWGME 13.Green Sponsors: Advanced Microsystems, AuburnHousing Authority, Auburn Savings Bank, AustinAssociates, Bonney Staffing, Brann & Isaacson, Butler Bros,Canteen Service Co, Central Distributors Inc, Curry Printingand Mailing, Door Systems Corp, Encompass Marketing andDesign, Evergreen MGA, FISC (The Maine AdvantageEducation Loan), Labonte Financial Services, Maine FamilyFederal Credit Union, Morin Brick Company, NortheastBank, Parent Insurance, Ramada Conference Center,Riverside Millwork Center, Robustelli, Rotz & Soucy P.A.,Sebago Technics, Sheridan Corp, Spillers, Strategic TalentManagement, Stevens Mill Capital, Thayer Corporation, andWillis HRH. Other Sponsors: Linnell, Choate & Webber, LLP, SteeleService Center, and WD Mathews Machinery Co.Team sponsors: Androscoggin Bank, Anthoine FinancialGroup, AVCOG/MMEP, Bisson Transportation, The BuckleyGroup – Jason Allen, Camden National Bank, Central MaineMedical Center, Central Maine Power, Champoux Insurance,First Choice Printing, Floor Systems, GHM Insurance,Harriman Associates, Healey and Associates, Isaacson &Raymond, Mechanics Private Bank, Mountain MachineWorks, Nason Mechanical, Neokraft Signs, New MarketMortgage, LLC, Ouellette & Associates P.A., Patrons OxfordInsurance Co, Pepsi Bottling Group, Platz Associates,Redlon and Johnson, Skelton Taintor & Abbott, St. Mary’sRegional Medical Center, Strainrite Companies, Sun Journal,TD Banknorth, The Sheridan Corp, SPC Transport, WahlcoMetroflex, Wal*Mart Distribution Center, Wells FargoAdvisors, WGME 13, and White Rock Distilleries.

7 M Chamber closed for Labor Day8 T Ambassador meeting at The Chamber, Noon9 W ALDI begins at the Chamber10 Th Chamber Breakfast, 7:15am, Martindale16 W Seminar, “Guerilla Marketing” with Kurk Lalemand,

8:30-11:30am, at the Chamber17 Th Business After Hours, 5-7pm, Cassiel’s Day Spa18 F Board of Directors meeting, 7:30am at The Chamber23 W Brown Bag on Credit Card Issues facilitated

by TD Banknorth, Noon, The Chamber30 W Entrpreneur’s Summit at Hilton Garden Inn,

7:15am-1:00pm

6 T Brown Bag, “Electronic Communications – Don’t Make These Common Mistakes,” with David Griffiths, Noon, The Chamber

7 W “Know Your Chamber,” 7:30am at The Chamber7 W YPLAA “Candid Candidates,” 5:30-7:30pm

at Franco American Heritage Center8 Th Chamber Breakfast, 7:15am at Hilton Garden Inn8 Th Sales and Use Tax Seminars at the Ramada Conference

Center, 1-4pm & 6-9pm, sponsored by Maine Revenue Services

12 M Columbus Day, Chamber Office closed14 W Create Your Own Recovery: How to Grow Your Business

in a Challenging Economy, 3:30-5pm15 Th Business After Hours, 5-7pm at The Carriage House

Plus Banquet Facility16 F Board of Directors meeting, 7:30am at Chamber22 Th Conference: Surviving the Energy Crisis: How You Can

Save $$$, 7:30am-2:00pm at Bates College28 W “Chamber CONNECTIONS”, 11:30am-1:00pm29 Th Seminar, “Develop a Purpose-Driven – Passion-Filled

Organization”, with Bob LaBrie of Maximum Potential30 F YPLAA Annual Meeting & Awards, Murder Mystery

Dinner at Martindale

3 T Brown Bag, “Writing a Press Release,” with Judy Meyer of the Sun Journal, Noon, The Chamber

4 W Non Profit Brown Bag sponsored by Mechanics

Private Bank, 11:30am-1pm, The Chamber11 W Veteran’s Day, Chamber Office closed12 Th Chamber Breakfast, 7:15am at Martindale19 Th Seminar, “Important HR Issues Every Small Business Needs

to Know,” with Rick Dacri, 8:30-11:30am, at The Chamber20 F Chamber Board Annual Planning Meeting, 12-5pm24 T Business After Hours, FEZtival of Trees, Kora Temple,

5-7pm 26-27 Thanksgiving Holiday, Chamber Office closed

2 W Seminar, Advanced Networking: Making YourContacts Count!, 8:30-11:00am at The Chamber

4 F College for ME – Androscoggin Success Luncheon, 11:30am at Bates College

10 Th Chamber Breakfast, 7:15am, Ramada, ALDI Graduation17 Th Business After Hours at Lost Valley, 5-7pm, Chamber

Kids for the Holidays

P A G E 2 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CALENDAR OF EVENTSCHIP’S COMMENTS By Chip Morrison

2009 REFERENDA

The Chamber Board of Directors and the BusinessAdvocacy Committee, under Chairs Peter Traill ofNason Mechanical Systems and Clif Greim ofHarriman Associates, have set up a very thorough

process to examine the major policy issues which will be on thestatewide referendum ballot in November. The purpose is to developChamber positions on three different questions:

• TABOR II• Excise Tax Rollback• School Consolidation Repeal

The Chamber process involves 6 distinct steps on each question.

First, The Chamber hosted forums on each ballot question. On TABOR II, Terren Bragdon, President of the Maine HeritagePolicy Center faced off against Kay Rand, Managing Director of BSSNResources, LLC. On the excise tax question, Poland Town Manager,Dana Lee was opposed by Martin Sheehan, Director of Communicationsfor the Maine Heritage Policy Center. The third forum featured PeterGeiger of Geiger Bros and State Senator Peter Mills favoring schooladministrative consolidation and Skip Greenlaw and Scott Kaplan oppos-ing it.

The second step in The Chamber process was to post the videos of thethree forums on The Chamber website and make them available to GreatFalls TV and other local cable stations. Several other local chambershave asked us to provide them with the videos.

In step 3, Chamber members were polled on the three questions and theresults of the polls made available to both the Business AdvocacyCommittee and the Board of Directors.

Step 4 is a thorough review of the referendum questions by the BusinessAdvocacy Committee. They then will make a recommendation to theBoard of Directors on a position for The Chamber on each question.

The Chamber Board of Directors will take the recommendations of ouradvocacy committee and formulate a position for The Chamber whichwill be publicized to Chamber members and the public.

The process to review the 2009 referendum questions is the most com-prehensive in Chamber history and was built on feedback from membersduring the last major referenda campaigns.

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

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P A G E 3 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CHAMBER EDUCATION COMMITTEEThe mission of the Education Committee is to develop business/educa-

tion partnerships and support quality education in schools acrossAndroscoggin County.  The committee is chaired by Mary LaFontaine ofthe Career Center and Joan Macri of College for ME - Androscoggin.Programs of the Education Committee include:

• annual career fair for all area high school sophomores• annual career fair for area 7th graders• annual community job fair• Junior Achievement (62 classes in 2008-9)• Chamber/CMCC scholarship scramble which raises over $40,000 to

support scholarships for local students• support for College for ME - Androscoggin — raising aspirations of

local citizens to attend post-secondary schools• conduct Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute• provide classroom volunteer resources to teachers who request them• identify critical workforce development opportunities

If you are interested in helping out with the Education Committee initia-tives, contact Chip or Jenny at The Chamber, Mary LaFontaine at theCareer Center or Joan Macri at USM Lewiston Auburn College.

MECHANICS PRIVATE BANK TEAMS UP WITH THE CHAMBER TO PRESENT THE2009/2010 NON-PROFIT SERIES!With the success of the first non-profit series and in response to the grow-ing interest from non-profit Chamber members, the Chamber will beoffering quarterly non-profit brown bags again this fall. The Chambersent out a survey and the response was unanimous that the attendeeswould like to have more programs offered and Mechanics Private Bankwill again be the sponsor for the 2009/2010 Non-Profit Series. The serieswill kick off on November 4th at the Chamber Conference Room, and aplanning committee is in the final stages of picking the topics for thisyear’s series. Some of the suggestions from the annual survey were fundraising, grant writing, building a donor base, policy and procedure manu-als for non-profit boards, and how to collaborate and work with othernon-profits to maximize efforts. Be on the lookout on the Chamber web-site for specific details. All of the brown bags will be held in theChamber’s Community Conference Room, Business Service Center atKeyBank Plaza from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Mark your calendar for thefollowing dates:

November 4th

February 3rd

May 19th

If you have any suggestions for topics or to find out more information,please contact Alice at the Chamber, 783-2249 or email her atAlice@androscoggincounty.com.

FALL SEMINAR LINE-UPThe annual Chamber member survey identifies those seminars and work-shops that Chamber members would like to attend.  The result is a fallschedule of seminars and brown bag discussions with incrediblediversity.  Chamber workshop and seminar presenters are all Chambermembers who are willing to share their expertise with other members.Year after year, members rate the seminar offerings very highly.

September 9 17th annual Androscoggin LeadershipDevelopment Institute begins, facilitated by StevePecukonis of HRD Associates

September 16 “Guerilla Marketing” with Kurk Lalemand

September 23 Brown Bag seminar on Credit Card Issues led by RobWesthoven of TD Banknorth

September 30 Entrepreneur’s Summit at Hilton Garden Inn (seeback page article)

October 6 “Common Mistakes in Electronic Communications,” with David Griffiths

October 8 Sales and Use Tax Seminar led by the staff of MaineRevenue Services

October 22 Conference: “Surviving the Energy Crisis and Saving$$$” (see back page article)

October 29 Develop a Purpose-Driven – Passion-FilledOrganization seminar with Bob LaBrie Of MaximumPotential

November 3 “Writing a Press Release,” with Judy Meyer of theSun Journal

November 19 “Important HR Issues Ever Small Business Needs toKnow,” with Rick Dacri

December 2 Advanced Networking: Make Your Contacts Count!

All programs (unless otherwise noted) will be held in the CommunityConference Room at the Business Service Center at KeyBank Plaza. Formore information about any of these programs contact Sue Schell or ChipMorrison at The Chamber.

NEW BOB LABRIE SEMINARDevelop a Purpose-Driven – Passion-Filled Organization is the topic ofthe new seminar Bob LaBrie of Maximum Potential will be presenting onOctober 29th.

If your company has a specific purpose that drives the business and youcan communicate it with enthusiasm and passion to all personnel yourbusiness will flourish!

To register for this seminar visit www.androscoggincounty.com or callThe Chamber at 783-2249.

Did You Know?All employees of Chamber members can

participate in any Chamber event?Please share program information with your colleagues!

P A G E 4 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Central Maine Federal Credit Union 2009“Books for Kids Program” recipient was MinotConsolidated School.

Attorney Kelly M. Hoffman of Skelton, Taintor &

Abbott had her article entitled Teeth Whitening: TheUnauthorized Practice of Dentistry, published in Volume 28 of the News

Journal of the Maine Dental Association (June 2009).

Are you interested in providing a temporary or permanent caring home fora child or sibling group through foster parenting or adoption? Call A

Family For ME today for an informational packet at 877-505-0545 or atwww.afamilyforme.org.

Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care’s Early Head Start Center hasearned accreditation from the National Association for the Education ofYoung Children (NAEYC).

Kayt DeMerchant, Director of Marketing and Hallmark Programming atYWCA of Central Maine, was selected by the Joint Advocacy Initiative(JAI) of East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine to participate in aSolidarity Witness Visit in Israel and Occupied Palestine.

The winners of the 2nd annual “L-A: It’s Happening Here!” ScholarshipContest were Athena Andoniades, Ilana Freedman, and Kelsey Cote.

Broadreach Public Relations, has named Eric Blom as vice president ofpublic relations.

Access to psychiatric services has been expanded with the addition of twophysicians and a nurse practitioner at Tri-County Mental Health Services.

Gifford’s Ice Cream News: Intermezzo magazine Founder Roseann Tullyraved about their flavors on CBS Radio’s “Connoisseurs’ Corner”; RoadTrips for Families named them to its “Pit Stops: Best Ice Creams of 2009”list.

Fuel Restaurant received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for2009.

Leavitt and Parris proudly announced that their new website is online toprovide a wealth of information to help you with your next awning purchaseor event rental, www.leavittandparris.com.

Morrison Hall LLC Energy Division announces the addition of Joshua

Marriner as Weatherization Supervisor. 753-9800.

Wells Fargo Advisors, formerly Wachovia Securities, was recently namedthe top-rated U.S. investment firm in customer advocacy by consumers,according to Forrester Research, Inc. 

John Wyman of the Tailgate Gourmet LLC recently volunteered for theSt. Bernard Project – an organization helping Katrina victims rebuild theirhomes.

Apple Pumpkin Festival, September 26, 10am-3pm, Livermore Falls RecField, Rain date Oct 17. www.applepumpkinfestival.

“Morning Song”, a child’s story for adults, is available on CD. Written byTimothy Victor Richardson, produced and directed by Toni Seger ofProseWorks™ Associates. www.CreateSpace.com/1737557

September is National Preparedness month and your local American RedCross invites you to examine just how prepared you, your family, and yourcommunity are for a disaster.  Call United Valley Red Cross at 795-4004for information.

Dr. Michael Cyr and Dr. Christopher Cyr are now offering AllergyTreatment at Cyr Chiropractic Center.  The revolutionary BAX-3000 sys-tem offers painless and effective results, without injections or medications.Check out www.allergymaine.com or call 784-5120 for more information.

Tri County Mental Health Services Annual Meeting, Awards & SilentAuction, October 20, 2009 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Tickets are $30 perperson (no charge for TCMHS employees) and sponsorships are avail-able. Please contact Tina Clark for more information, 783-4663 x158 ortclark@tcmhs.org.  

Diane Dunton, president of Potential Released Consulting Services, willbe the keynote speaker at Maine Women’s Network’s annual dinner onSeptember 16th at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.

James F. Helmkamp, DDS, MAGD has joined the Delta Dental networkas a premier provider. He has always worked with Delta, but now the rela-tionship makes it even easier for his Delta patients.

A.C.E. Association for Consulting Expertise; September 18th; PortlandCountry Club Falmouth.  Intellectual Capital: Define it, Understand it,Capture it. Presented by: Mary Adams, President Intellectual CapitalAdvisors for more information visit www.consultexpertise.com or call 800-464-5043.

Patricia Estes of Woodbury Hill Wellness is pleased to announce thearea’s second Quantum Touch Workshop on October 2 & 3 at the Chamberconference room. For details call 344-8292 or e-mail pece@gmail.com.

American Heart Association Central & Western Maine Start! Heart Walk,September 27, 2009 at Lewiston High School, for more information visitwww.centralmaineheartwalk.org or contact Susan Crandall at susan.cran-dall@heart.org or 449.3127.

GHM Insurance Agency received the 2009 Governor’s Award forBusiness Excellence. Recipients must first be nominated and then excel inthe areas of Commitment to Community, Employees and Customer ServiceExcellence. 

WHAT’S UP…?

Recent appointments to the Board of Directors of theMaine International Trade Center: Kathy Billings, VicePresident of Corporate Relations at Bangor Hydro ElectricCompany, Christopher Paradis, Marketing & BusinessDevelopment Manager at Elmet Technologies and Brian

Perkins, President of New Generation Network, Inc.

Austin Associates, PA, CPAs has promoted Hillary Eaton

to Director of Marketing and Business Development andWalter Pulkkinen, CPA to Chief Financial Officer.

The 3rd annual Breast Cancer Awareness night October 17at the MAINEiacs. All proceeds will benefit the American

Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancerwalk. $10/ticket. To buy a ticket contact: Rita Renaud –rjrenaud@gwi.net.

Penmor Lithographers has partnered with Clean Currentsto invest in a wind generated energy program to reducetheir impact on the environment as well as aid in the growthof this emission-free, renewable energy. To learn more call784-1341.

Bob Marley will appear on October 18 at Community

Little Theatre. FMI or Tickets call 783-0958 or go towww.laCLT.com. Sponsored by the Odd Fellows’ and

Rebekahs’ Home of Maine.

September means back to school.  Want to send a carepackage to a new college student?  The Basket Case canhelp!  Visit www.the-basketcase.com or call Barbara

Lauze at 783-7303.

In a recent customer satisfaction survey conducted by theHeutz Oil Company of Lewiston, 100% of respondentsindicated they were satisfied or highly satisfied with thequality of service received by Heutz’s certified technicians.Equally high ratings were received by the service depart-ment for promptness and professionalism.

Lewiston-Auburn SCORE, “Counselors to America’sSmall Businesses”, is starting its new program year underthe leadership of Chairman Jack Tetreault with Vice-chairs Bob Kennelly and Bob Sawyer, Treasurer Peter

Sassano, and Secretary Ralph Tuttle. The group recentlywelcomed Patience Johnson, Dick Moore and Sue

Sturgis as counselors.

CMC Technology Group has moved to 1929 Lisbon StLewiston (formerly the Black Stove Shop). Call 800-287-8044 for service or more information on “Your One StopTechnology Shop”.

Count ME In! The 2010 Census will provide informationused to determine the distribution of over $300 billionannually in federal aid. A full and accurate count of everyperson is crucial. On April 1st, be counted!

Bisson - I&R Commercial Services (Office & IndustrialMoving) works with your project team to develop a planthat proactively addresses every phase of moving yourcommercial property. Call for free estimate at 800-370-8469 or visit www.movebisson.com for more information.

Museum L-A purchased the former Camden Yarns Millproperty on Beech Street for their new home! Remediationwork is currently under way.

Mary York will be seeing clients at CALM Healthworks.Mary is a Certified Phlebotomist, Certified BiologicalTerrain Microscopist and an Inner Terrain Educator.  Shealso has her Level II Certification in Reiki through SillaVon-Faulk.

Lewiston MAINEiacs minority owner, Wendell Young

has been named the General Manager of the ChicagoWolves of the American Hockey League.

Dacri & Associates, a human resource consulting firm, hasrecently announced it has opened an online store atwww.dacri.com. The store contains training programs,Maine state law guides, and management booklets.

“Yoga on the Beach” class will be held at Range Pond StatePark and is open to all. Starts September 13. Pre-registra-tion and payment required. For more information, pleasecall Yoga Center of Maine at 786-0100.

P A G E 5 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008-09BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Murphy, ChairNeokraft Sign Co

Art Boulay, Chair ElectStrategic Talent Management

Robin Robbins, TreasurerAndroscoggin Bank

Trisha Fletcher, Past ChairTeam Fletcher, Coldwell Banker Millett Realty

Jan BarrettWare Street Inn Bed & Breakfast

JoAnne CampbellMechanics Savings Bank

Doug DiVelloCentral Maine Healthcare Corp

Susan DonovanDonovan's Auto Sales

Adam DunbarWells Fargo Advisors

Hillary Eaton, YPLAA ChairAustin Associates PA

Patti GagnePatti Gagne Agency, Allstate Insurance

Clif GreimHarriman and Associates

Kevin HealeySt. Mary’s Health System

Elaine HemenwayPayroll Management Inc

Jennifer HoganCommunity Credit Union

Gretchen JonesSkelton Taintor & Abbott PA

Mary LaFontaineCareer Center

Kurk LalemandNext Level Business Coaching

Marc LamareElmet Technologies

Darlene Cadorette LevesqueWhite Rock Distilleries

Rick MalinowskiProcter & Gamble

Scott McKenneyHilton Garden Inn

Iman PoeraatmadjaBurgess Computer

David ScobeyBates College

Susan StaceyCentral Maine Community College

Laurie St PierrePercy's Burrow

Peter SteeleTwin City Times

Peter TraillNason Mechanical Systems Inc.

Jennifer WilleyCanteen Services

Thomas WilsonGritty McDuff’s

THE COMMUNITY CONFERENCEROOM

The Community Conference Room in the BusinessService Center at KeyBank Plaza has become anincredible asset for both members and communitygroups. Hardly a day goes by when there aren't one ortwo meetings or training sessions scheduled for theroom. It is available for use by Chamber members atno charge.

If you would like to use the Community ConferenceRoom, contact Sue Schell at 783-2249 or send her ane-mail at sschell@androscoggincounty.com.

Donna Martin receives $1,000 prize from Ann Nadeau of OxfordNetworks for coming closest to guessing the number of coffeebeans in the Toyota (from Emerson Toyota). Also pictured areLucien Gosselin and Chip Morrison.

Tune in every Wednesday night at 9p.m. on Great Falls TV for

“Chip and The Chamber”This lively show highlights what’s going on at The Chamberand in the community. Also, Chip interviews guests for eachshow. Chip’s guest for September Mary LaFontaine of theCareer Center talking about their support for area employersand the unemployed. The guests for October will be JanBarrett and Susan Stacey, co-chairs of The Chambers RegionalImage Committee.

“Chip and The Chamber” is produced and directed by ToniSeger of ProseWorks and Philip Larlee of Great Falls TV.

P A G E 6 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FOURTH ANNUAL “BEST PLACES TO WORK INMAINE” HONORS CHAMBER MEMBERSThe Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Maine StateCouncil has announced that 31 companies have been named in the fourthannual “Best Places to Work in Maine” program.

The event, presented in conjunction with the Best Companies Group, theMaine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor,Employment Times and Mainebiz, recognizes companies that have estab-lished and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments.

Androscoggin County Chamber members recognized, listed alphabetically,are: Androscoggin Bank, Austin Associates, PA, CPAs, Baker, Newman

& Noyes, Camden National Corporation, Garrand & Company,

Oxford Networks, and White Rock Distilleries.

The assessment process, administered by the Best Companies Group eval-uated each company’s employee policies and procedures as well asresponses from the company’s employees. The program marks the mostrecent step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellencethroughout all Maine companies.

All the organizations involved in the competition will be honored at theannual banquet which will be held on October 13th at the RamadaConference Center in Lewiston. Further details about the “Best Places toWork in Maine” program can be found online at www.bestplaces-toworkme.com.

BUSINESS ADVOCACY COMMITTEEThe goal of the Business Advocacy Committee is to gain greater commit-ment from elected representatives to address the needs of the business com-munity by developing laws and policies that foster business growth.  Thechairs of the committee are Peter Traill of Nason Mechanical Systems andClif Greim of Harriman Associates.  The committee has four major activi-ties:

• Prepare and distribute the “What We Stand For” position paper - articulating Chamber positions on tax and spending policy, health care, business regulation, education, and transportation.

• Make contact with elected representatives on specific policy issues being considered.

• Develop working relationships with the Androscoggin County legislative delegation and encourage them to work better together.

• Organize forums on major policy issues

If you are interested in getting involved with the activities of the BusinessAdvocacy Committee, contact either committee chair or Chip Morrison orMaureen Aube at The Chamber.

CO-BRAND YOUR EVENT WITHIT’S HAPPENING HERE! LOGOIf you’re planning a special event, business func-tion, promotion, or ad campaign, consider usingthe “L-A: It’s Happening Here!” logo to capitalize

on the brand equity and credibility of the award-winning image campaign.

Companies or individuals seeking to use the logo must contact theLewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council by contacting Paul Badeau atpbadeau@economicgrowth.org or 777-5031 and indicate how the logo willbe used. Upon approval, the only condition for use is that the logo not bechanged or altered in any way.

CHECK YOUR LISTING!!!!It’s time again to update the annual Androscoggin CountyBusiness/Visitor/Relocation Guide! Accuracy is important, so weask all Chamber members to assist us in providing updated infor-mation. Please check your business listing and let us know whatchanges need to be made. Be sure to let us know if you haveadded an e-mail address or website.

Why not advertise in this year’s guide?The Androscoggin County Resource Guide is a unique three-sec-tion publication providing 7,000 copies to Chamber members,tourists, visitors, businesses and individuals looking for services orconsidering relocating to our area. Your low-cost ad not only sup-ports The Chamber, it increases your visibility! For more infor-mation contact Jenny at The Chamber at 783-2249.

MAINE PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (MAINE PTAC) NOW HAS AN OFFICE IN AUBURN.

PTAC provides assistance to Maine businesses looking to business with Federal, State and local govern-ments. AVCOG has joined the Maine PTAC delivery net-work assuming responsibility for services inAndroscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties. BradStraight has been hired as a Procurement Specialist forthe region and he may be contacted at the AVCOG office on 125 Manley Road in Auburn at 207-783-9186 orbstraight@avcog.org.

SAVE THE DATE FOR:Know Your Chamber:

October 7, 2009January 6, 2010April 7, 2010

Chamber CONNECTIONS:October 28, 2009January 20, 2010March 24, 2010

P A G E 7 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEMBER IN FOCUSBy Toni Seger, ProseWorks™

International Door CorpIt’s a miserable rainy day in July when I visit the bright new showroom forInternational Door Corp. and Door Systems Corp. in Lewiston’s IndustrialPark. A line of colorful garage doors are easily rolled out, one after anoth-er, for me to examine and feel. The newest, ultra-quiet, space-saving, wall-mounted, automatic door opener is demonstrated at a touch of a finger andthere’s lots of literature to look at. Owner/operator, Paul Baril would loveto have a Business After Hours to show off his new facility, but says witha laugh that The Chamber is booked for a couple of years!

Paul Baril took over from his father, Roger,and mother, Lorraine, who started the com-pany in Auburn in 1968. His parents stillcome in one day a week and the family isvery close. In 1974, the business became thefirst tenant in Lewiston’s new IndustrialPark. Today, Paul oversees both companieswhile his oldest son, Jason, runs their garagedoor business; International Door. Thatallows Paul to focus on Door Systems whichhe started in 1980. Roger Baril’s originalbusiness, selling and installing overheadgarage doors, was seasonal with winter lay-offs. Door Systems, literally, brought thebusiness indoors. It started with swing doorsfor schools, hospitals and other public build-ings and gradually branched out to stalldoors for public bathrooms and handi-capped access updates like grab bars andautomatic front doors.

“The Americans with Disability Act created public building requirementsso they would be accessible to the disabled,” explains Paul. As part of histraining, Paul along with others experienced a ‘Disability for a Day’. “Wewere assigned a disability. It might be the loss of a limb we couldn’t use orsmudged glasses so we couldn’t see, or ear plugs so we couldn’t hear orusing a wheelchair to get around. It really sensitized us about what neededto be done in order to ensure that people, regardless of their physical limi-tations; could enter a public building, use the rest rooms, attend any class-rooms and eat in the cafeteria.”

The biggest change Paul has seen over the years is the effect of computersand electronic equipment. All of their trucks have cell phones. “It’s beenvery helpful. Instead of a truck coming back to the office after a job, I cancall the installation and repair people in the field and give them another jobto go to. It saves both time and gas.” The trucks also have GPS units whichPaul says means his people don’t lose time by getting lost. “Before thistechnology, when someone got lost they had to drive around just to find apublic phone to call the office. Now, they don’t get lost which is a realblessing.” The two businesses service central Maine roughly outlined byRumford, Waterville, Boothbay and Scarborough. However, they’ve alsodeveloped relationships for handicapped projects as far away as Arizona,California and Florida.

Paul remembers and prefers a time when people did business with eachother instead of remotely through e mail exchanges and electronic pay-ments. “Business, for me, is all about building trusting relationships I canrely on over time.” For that reason, Paul likes to buy locally. He prides him-self on the high level of quality and customer service he provides and looksfor that in others. “It’s a policy that competes successfully with big boxstores. The big boxes are about price. You sacrifice service and qualitywhen you shop there and that’s what we’re all about.”

Paul says his business stems from approximately; one third print advertis-ing, one third ‘word of mouth’ referrals and one third from the yellowpages. Because print advertising might one day be unavailable, the compa-ny is beginning to develop a web site. “I’ve also got a new blackberry”,says Paul laughing, “but I haven’t figured out how to use it, yet.”

The two businesses employ 13 people andthough the winter was very slow, Paul did-n’t lay anyone off and he’s seen a niceuptick in business through the spring andearly summer. “One reason is, people aremore concerned with heat loss and our newgarage doors are so well insulated, theyreally make a difference in warmth, espe-cially when the garage is beneath thehouse.” The new doors are actually thinnerand lighter at the same time they’restronger and tighter. Foamed polyurethaneinjected into the metal frame fills andbonds for a strong solid seal. “Mainers arepractical people and it’s more and moreevident you can save a lot of money byinvesting in home insulation.” The Barilshave made such a study of well insulated

doors, they provided the door for Channel 8’s weather station when it waslocated on top of Mount Washington.

Paul is delighted his son Jason has joined him in the business though itmeans they can’t go on vacations together. He didn’t pressure any of histhree sons just as his father never pressured him. Paul’s middle son lives inSan Diego, and his youngest is majoring in chemical engineering at UMO,but Jason who has a degree in communication and business managementworked for other companies for a period until, one day, he sent his father aresume with a cover letter. It came at a perfect time because Paul had anopening for Jason to fill and he’s been happily amazed how well it’sworked out.

A tour of their well organized 12,000 square foot warehouse shows theirinventory can satisfy any request. “People might start by shopping online,but when they see how costly freight can be, they’re very glad to find westock the same items and, even better, we provide installation and service.Besides, if there are any energy rebates available, we’re sure to tell our cus-tomers.”

Don’t wait for an After Hours to visit International Door and Door Systemsat 66 Westminster Street, Lewiston. Give them a call at 783-7185 and tollfree at 800-244-9253. Build your own garage door at http://intdoor.gara-ga.com

P A G E 8 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Prst Std

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT #27

LEWISTON, ME

04240

P.O. BOX 59LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059

ENTREPRENEUR’S SUMMIT ON SEPTEMBER 30TH

The Chamber, the Maine SBDC, MaineBiz, the Preti Flaherty law firm, andthe accounting firm of Albin, Randall & Bennett have teamed up to presentthe 6th annual Entrepreneur’s Summit on Wednesday, September 30th atthe Hilton Garden Inn.  The keynote speaker will be Matt Jacobson,President of Maine & Company.

The summit starts with a continental breakfast at 7:15 a.m., followed by thekeynote address and a variety of workshops for both start-up and growingbusinesses.  Those workshops include:

• Building Your Professional Services Team• Financial Management During Challenging Financial Times• Writing Your Business Plan• Finding Alternative Means of Financing• Securing Financing to Launch Your Business• Stretching Your Marketing Dollar in a Tough Economy

The conference will conclude at Noon with a networking lunch which is anopportunity to follow-up with conference speakers and share experienceswith other attendees.  The cost of the Entrepreneur’s Summit (includingbreakfast, lunch, and an extensive notebook of conference materials) is$55.  Registration is on line at www.preti.com/mediacenter/events or bysending in the registration form which has been mailed to Chamber mem-bers and is available at The Chamber office.

CONFERENCE TARGETS ENERGY SAVINGSThe Chamber, under the leadership of the “Cool Chamber” subcommitteeand Laurie St. Pierre, Chair, is planning a second conference on October22nd at the new Bates College dining facility.  “Surviving the Energy Crisis,How You Can Save $$$” will be aimed at Chamber members of all sizes —to provide practical information that they can immediately put to use.  Theconference is being sponsored by Unitil and Efficiency Maine and willbegin with a continental networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. to be followedby a keynote address by Governor Angus King. The conference will fea-ture three major sessions:

1. Experiences of Local Businesses with implementing energy improvements

2. Financing Energy Improvements3. Alternative Energy Sources and How They Can Play a Role

There will also be an optional session on home energy improvements.

The conference will have a unique feature — participants will be able tosign up for an individual consultation with a staff member from EfficiencyMaine — which should help all to get started on implementing energy sav-ing improvements.  There will also be a number of exhibits by organiza-tions that can provide direct assistance to Chamber members.

To register for the conference, call The Chamber at 783-2249 or go to TheChamber website to download a registration form.  Registration for the halfday program will be $25 for Chamber members and $60 for non-Chambermembers (and it includes continental breakfast and lunch).