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News ReleasesMaine's Family-Owned Businesses of the Year Announced June 13 , 2006EDITOR'S NOTE: Downeast Energy Corporation of Brunswick and Bedard Healthcare Group of Lewiston have been named the 2006 recipients of the Gannett Family Business of the Year Awards at the seventh annual awards dinner, held Tuesday, June 13, in Freeport. Downeast Energy was named the winner in the large business category (50 or more employees), while Bedard Healthcare won in the small business category. The GHM Agency, an independent insurance agency based in Waterville and Augusta, received the honorable mention. The annual awards ceremony is a program of the University of Southern Maine Institute for Family-Owned Business, a nonprofit organization based established in 1995 to support family-owned businesses. The Gannett Family Business of the Year Awards were established in 1999 to recognize family businesses that demonstrate creativity in ensuring their company's vitality, while maintaining ties with their communities and stakeholders. Brunswick Coal, the original company behind Downeast Energy, began selling coal and firewood in 1908. In 1931, Allen Morrell bought the company and expanded the business to include heating oil, propane and building materials. Today, Morrell's sons, Dick and Bob, are still involved in the business, as well as four members of the next generation. The company employs more than 400 people who serve some 40,000 customers with heating oils, propane, heating equipment, and building supplies. In 1998 Downeast Energy became the single name for all the heating locations and the gasoline division, with Downeast Building Supply the name for the building materials store. Downeast -- with its company motto, "Because community is our bottom line," -- also has a long history of giving to community efforts related to education, the arts, and human services. Bedard Healthcare Group of Lewiston started 100 years ago as a small local pharmacy. Today, under the ownership of Mike and Annette Nadeau, it is a thriving health care company consisting of three divisions: Bedard Health Care Pharmacy; Bedard Medical Equipment & Supplies; and Bedard Long-Term Care Pharmacy. All three divisions share a commitment to providing quality health care solutions, and serving the needs of the local community. The GHM Agency of Waterville and Augusta has been serving the insurance needs of Mainers since 1901. The full-service, independent agency, under the direction of owner and president Paul J. Mitchell, has more than 350 years of combined insurance experience and a record of community service. In addition to the family-owned business of the year awards, two Maine companies received awards for outstanding community service. Apollo Salon Spa & Bistro of Waterville was named the recipient of the Oustanding Community Service Award for Small Businesses, while Oakhurst Dairy of Portland was named the recipient in the large business category. The awards were announced by Maddy Corson, former chair of Guy Gannett Communications, and a member of USM's Institute for Family-Owned Business Advisory Board. A total of 20 businesses throughout the state were nominated and evaluated by a panel of judges. Nominees were required to demonstrate excellence in several areas, including business success, work environment, succession planning and community involvement. Family-owned businesses represent approximately 90 percent of all businesses in Maine, yet fewer than 30 percent survive to the second generation and only 13 percent make it to the third generation. To support family businesses in this competitive environment, USM's Institute for Family-Owned Business sponsors seminars addressing such issues as compensation, communication, leadership development, and successful planning. For more information, visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/ifob or call Institute Director Tom Juenemann at 207-780-5935. |
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