2016 ifob media / press kit
DESCRIPTION
The Institute for Family-Owned Business is a non-profit 501 c (3) organization committed to supporting, strengthening and empowering family-owned businesses throughout the state of Maine. The Institute serves family business owners, executives and employees through a wide range of continuing education programs, networking opportunities and consulting services. The Institute is a comprehensive resource for family-owned business.TRANSCRIPT
Greetings,
Thank you for your interest in the Institute. For the past two
decades, The Institute for Family-Owned Business has supported,
strengthened and empowered family-owned businesses throughout
the state of Maine. Founded by business leaders who sought local
resources to help with succession planning and other challenges
unique to family-owned businesses, the Institute has become a
comprehensive resource for first-generation and multi-generation
businesses of all sizes, offering continuing education programs,
networking opportunities and consulting services.
In addition to providing dozens of education and networking events
each year, the Institute has expanded to include several affinity
groups, including Women in Family Business, Women’s Leadership
Forum, Next Generation, and CEO Central, to broaden our impact.
The Institute also recognizes best practices in family-owned business
leadership and community service each year through its prestigious
Maine Family Business Awards.
We are able to fulfill our mission through the generous support
of corporate partners and over 65 member companies that
professionally and financially commit to the ongoing advancement
of family enterprise.
To learn more about the Institute and its programs please visit our
website at www.fambusiness.org or contact me today.
Best,
Catherine Wygant Fossett
Executive Director
2
About the Institute for Family-Owned Business
The Institute for Family-Owned Business is a non-
profit organization committed to supporting,
strengthening and empowering family-owned
businesses throughout the state of Maine. The
Institute serves family business owners, executives
and employees through a wide range of continuing
education programs, networking opportunities and
consulting services. The Institute is a comprehensive
resource for family-owned business.
The Institute was formed in the early 1990s by
prominent Portland business owner, Shep Lee,
who was beginning to think about a leadership
transition in his third-generation auto dealership,
which he anticipated occurring within the next
decade. Discovering that the closest resource was in
New Hampshire, Lee approached the University of
Southern Maine about creating an organization to
support Maine family businesses. Lee, his daughter,
Cathy and key USM leaders appointed a director and
launched the Institute as a part of the University,
with 20 member businesses.
Since its first public program in September 1995,
the Institute has grown in its mission of providing
support, networking, guidance and forums to help
family business operators better understand and
appropriately face their exceptional challenges. Over
the next decade, the organization realigned itself to
ensure that a majority of the board members were
family business people; since 2008, the Institute
has operated as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization with the generous support of its
founding sponsors: Verrill Dana LLP, BerryDunn,
MEMIC, TD Bank, R.M. Davis Inc, and many other
generous sponsors.
In addition to offering a variety of education
programs and events to address the complex and
varied concerns of family-owned businesses, the
Institute recognizes outstanding Maine businesses
through its annual Maine Family Business Awards gala, which attracts more than 350 attendees
each year.
Our Mission:
To provide the unique information, resources
and networking opportunities to enable Maine’s
business-owning families to prosper and achieve
their fullest potential.
To be the:
premier resource for family-run
businesses in Maine,
predominant source of outreach
programs for family-owned businesses
recognized expert in and networking
resource for inimitable family-business
issues.
3
Programs & Services The Institute for Family-Owned Business provides
programs and services around topics that can benefit
every member of your family and your business,
including:
Business succession planning and governanceHR for the family businessConflict resolutionCommunications intergenerational, sibling, and gender issuesLeadership developmentCompensation and performance measurementStrategic planning for family firmsInnovation and change management
Educational Programs and WorkshopsPrograms offered by the Institute provide valuable
information on topics of interest to family business
owners. Educational programs run from two hours to a
full day, and include ample time for networking. For a
current calendar of upcoming programs, visit
www.fambusiness.org.
Services
Consulting and Resource Searching
Family Meeting FacilitatorWhen an objective third party would enhance discussion
of particular issues at your firm, we can help you to
identify an appropriate facilitator.
Referrals and InformationThe Institute is a comprehensive resource for family
businesses. If you have a need for information, support
or guidance, we can help. Contact us at 207.798.2667 or
email [email protected].
Affinity Groups These groups meet several times for networking and
discussion on issues of interest to members. Space is
limited and advance reservation is required for many of
these groups; call or email us to learn more. Our affinity
groups include:
CEO Central - A facilitated roundtable discussion
designed exclusively for family business CEOs.
Women’s Leadership Forum - A facilitated roundtable
discussion with fellow women in leadership roles in
family business. Our goals for this forum include support,
encouragement, inspiration and information.
Women in Family Business - Women focusing on
education that is important and useful to them.
Next Generation - All generations working in a family
business benefit from the information provided in these
meetings. Participants learn: communications, transitions,
generational management styles, balancing family and
family business, and more!
Signature Events: Maine Family Business Awards which for over 15 years
each spring has recognized 68 businesses for various
categories of excellence.
Summerfest which is our annual summer social held in
August to celebrate family business.
Holiday Social held annually in December to celebrate the
season sponsored by our founding sponsors: Verrill Dana,
LLP, BerryDunn, MEMIC, TD Bank and R.M. Davis, Inc.
4
Maine Family Business Awards Each year since 2000, the Institute for Family-Owned Business recognizes family-owned, Maine-based businesses through
its Maine Family Business Awards program. Presented at a gala event each spring that attracts over 350 attendees, the
awards celebrate the accomplishments of small and large businesses that exemplify the following criteria:
•Businesssuccess
•Positivebusinessandfamilylinkages
•Contributionstothecommunityandindustry
•Familyparticipation
•Workenvironment
•Communication
•Innovativebusinesspracticesorstrategies
Awards are presented in seven categories:•MaddyCorsonSmallBusinessAward(fewerthan
25 employees)
•LargeBusinessAward(25ormoreemployees)
•ShepLeeCommunityServiceAward
•TheWolakGroupCustomerServiceAward
•FirstGenerationAward
•People’sUnitedBankInnovation
and Technology Award
•EnvironmentalLeadershipAward
2015 Maine Family Business Award Winners:
Maddy Corson Small Business Award — Kingsley Pines, RaymondLarge Business Award — Renys, Newcastle
Large Business Honorable Mention — Cross Insurance, BangorShep Lee Community Service Award — Suger, Biddeford
The Wolak Group Customer Service Award — Volk Packaging Corporation, BiddefordFirst Generation Award — Lucy’s Granola, East Blue Hill
People’s United Bank Innovation and Technology Award — DeLorme, YarmouthGreen Environment Award — TideSmart Global, Falmouth
Businesses may be nominated by individuals outside or inside the company. For more information, to view a list of prior winners or to nominate a company, visit www.fambusiness.org or call 207.798.2667.
In partnership withVerrill Dana, LLP, Attorneys at Law
2 0 1 6
MAINE FAMILY BUSINESSAWARDS
5
Family-Owned Business Staff Catherine Wygant Fossett, Executive Director
Prior to joining the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) as its Executive Director, Catherine was the executive director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce where she oversaw the 50th Anniversary of Windjammer
Days, developed the Claw Down lobster bite competition, and annually produced the region’s definitive travel guide. She is a graduate of the Maine Association of Nonprofits’ Executive Leadership Institute.
Catherine’s prior experience includes 20 years in the travel industry, at Hewins Travel, as director of marketing, and Hurley Travel Experts, as director of sales. A graduate of Bates College, she has served on dozens of boards including the Advertising Club of Maine, the World Affairs Council of Maine, MidCoast Chamber Council, Mobilize MidCoast Maine leadership committee, Maine Sports Commission, and Rotary. She currently serves on the Board of the Amputee Association of Maine, the committee for Boothbay Treasures #Giving Tuesday and the Advisory Board for the Boothbay Sea and Science Center. She lives with her husband in Boothbay, is an avid boater and outdoor enthusiast with a love of great food and local crafts.
Board Of DirectorsColleen McCracken, Planet Dog, Chair
Colleen McCracken has over 28 years of experience in finance, operations and senior leader-ship throughout her career with large multi-national companies including WR Grace and G.H. Bass. Prior to joining Planet
Dog, a designer and retailer of premium dog products, as its CEO in 2013, Colleen was the CEO of Thos. Moser Cabi-netmakers, Inc. Colleen is the Chair of the Board for the Institute for Family Owned Business (IFOB) and is involved in numerous leadership roles in support of the Institute’s efforts, including Women’s Leadership Forum, and judg-ing for the Institute’s Family Business of the Year awards. Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Bentley University and recently received an Executive MBA with High Honors distinction from Boston University.
John LeMieux, Anton/LeMieux Financial Group, Vice Chair
John LeMieux, principal and cofounder of Anton LeMieux Financial Group, has more than 20 years’ experience guiding clients through the complex world of financial planning and investing. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
professional, a Certified Investment Management Analyst™, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™. John’s experiences as an entrepreneur, a financial planner, and investment advisor, as well as a college basketball coach, have combined to give him insight into the needs of the individuals, families, family-owned businesses, and nonprofit organizations that he serves.
Francis J. O’Shea, BerryDunn, Treasurer, Founding Sponsor
Francis J. O’Shea, CPA/ABV, CVA is a tax principal with the accounting and business consulting firm of BerryDunn. Over his 35 year career, Frank has counseled many closely-held and family business clients on the technical and
6
non-technical issues related to income and estate tax planning, as well as business succession and valuation. Formerly a Principal with Cloudhawk Management Consultants, LLC and a tax partner with Coopers & Lybrand, LLP, he brings a broad perspective to assisting his clients in successfully developing and implementing tax savings strategies and plans for the transition of their business enterprises.
Geoff Alexander, R.M. Davis, Inc., Founding Sponsor
Geoffrey K. Alexander is President of R.M. Davis, Inc., a company he joined in 1997 as Vice President and Portfolio Manager. Previously, Geoff was Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Key Asset Management, and Senior
Financial Analyst for the General Dynamics’ Marine Services Division, Bath Iron Works.
Stephen Barton, Barton and Associates LLC
Stephen has 30 years experience in a family business founded by his grandfather in 1950. As President of Barton’s Flowers in Westbrook he purchased Harmon’s Flowers of Portland, founded in the late 1800s, merging the two companies
in 1985 to form Harmon’s and Barton’s which became a top100 FTD Florist . He also served on the advisory board of FTD national. After selling the company in 2007 he became a financial advisor, holding all FINRA required licenses as well as a Maine State insurance license. Currently he is the President and founder of Barton and Associates, a coaching and advisory firm with a focus on business leadership coaching. He is certified by the Gestalt International Study
Center and is an honors graduate of the University of Southern Maine School of Business.
Catherine Buffum, Androscoggin Bank
Cathy Buffum has been working in banking for over 14 years and is currently a commercial loan officer with Androscoggin Bank in Scarborough and Portland. Her background before banking was in real estate sales and management, and she was also
a small business owner. Raised in Maine, Cathy has a strong connection to the people and businesses that she works with. Cathy earned her BS in business administration at USM and her MBA in finance from the University of Saint Mary. In addition to serving on the IFOB board, Cathy serves as treasurer on the board of Community Dental. Cathy and her family live in Biddeford, where her two daughters attend Biddeford Middle School. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, and fun family travels.
David R. Ciullo, CMA Career Management Associates
David Ciullo directs a HR Services firm headquartered in Portland ME that does Search, Staffing, Executive Coaching, HR Outsourcing, HR Compliance, Compensation, Training and Outplacement. In November his company acquired Dale Carnegie
Maine, the local franchise of Dale Carnegie Training. He is also the talk show host of the HR Power Hour (hrpowerhour.com), a national HR focused radio show and the elected President of Lincolnshire International and serves on its Board of Directors. He is a Member of SHRM, the Human Resources Association of Southern Maine, Seacoast Human Resources Association, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Northern New England Association of Personnel Services.
7
Theresa Cloutier, DMM, Inc.
Theresa is a Managing Partner with two sibling’s partners at DMM, Inc. a privately held manufacturing company her father founded in 1983 based in Scarborough, ME. The company specializes in digital document and direct marketing solution’s
and in 2010 was named a Xerox Global Service Provider. Theresa is responsible for the marketing and customer experience as well as board governance. She has a BA in Psychology and Marketing from the University of Southern Maine and a Master’s in Educational Psychology from Boston College. Theresa was recently named the 2015 recipient of the Crystal & Company FFI GEN Scholarship in Family Business from The Family Firm Institute in Boston. A graduate of USM’s FastTrack Program for entrepreneurs, she also serves on the board of the New England Direct Marketing Association and a member of the MyPlaceTeen’s 500 Club.
Mike Davis, Industrial Roofing Companies
Mike Davis it the president/owner of Industrial Roofing Companies in Lewiston, and co-founded Solar Roof Systems in 2009. IRC has become Northern New England’s leading commercial roofing services firm with around 100 employees. IRC won the
Customer Service Award in 2012. Mike earned a chemical engineering degree from the University of Maine, an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology, and remains active with the UMaine Pulp & Paper Foundation. In spare time he likes to “chase my kids on the ski hills and try to catch a few fish on Casco Bay.”
Catherine T. Duranceau, MEMIC, Founding Sponsor
Catherine Duranceau joined MEMIC in 2001, following her work as an underwriting consultant during MEMIC’s inception in the early 1990’s. Catherine’s leadership and guidance as the Vice President of Underwriting has helped the MEMIC Group achieve its growth
and profitably goals. Prior to MEMIC, Catherine worked with Guard Insurance, Acadia Insurance and The Hanover Insurance Company.
Catherine has continued her education through her Masters In Business Administration from the University of Southern New Hampshire and The Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter insurance designation. She is a licensed agent and is a member of the Institute for Civic Leadership Rho Class.
Kimberly Garrett, The Wolak Group
Kimberly Garrett is a second generation Franchise Owner and the Chief Operating Officer at The Wolak Group, helping run an organization of almost 100 Dunkin’ Donuts locations, 1,500 employees and several commercial real estate developments in Maine,
New Hampshire and New York. Kim has expertise in brand development, operations, marketing and sales in both the film and wine industries for several in Boston, Los Angeles, Malibu and Napa, CA. Kim and her husband, John, also own a production company that makes independent feature films, short films and commercials. In addition to her diverse career, she is an active member of the Maine Advertising Committee and Maine Franchise Owner District Advisory Council for Dunkin’ Brands, and serves on the board of directors for the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA).
8
Lindsay Gifford-Skilling, Gifford’s Ice Cream
Lindsay Gifford-Skilling is a fifth-generation ice cream maker and general manager of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. With a staff of 35 year-round employees and sales of 1.7 million gallons of ice cream a year, Lindsay’s role includes oversight of operations,
staff, five seasonal ice cream stands, and a thriving ice cream factory, which produces more than 100 flavors and distributes to hundreds of large and small retail locations from Maine to Virginia. Lindsay was born in 1983 in Waterville and received a business degree from Bryant University. She is a wife and mother of two young children.
Jane Hilburt-Davis, Key Resources, LLC
Jane Hilburt-Davis, ACFBA, is president of Key Resources, LLC, a Boston-based consulting firm. She is president emeritus of the Family Firm Institute and past Academic Director of the Global Education Network. She received the prestigious Richard Beckard
Practice Award in London for her outstanding contributions to family business practice. Jane is the author of many articles and case studies, and has trained, mentored and coached hundreds of family business advisors. She is senior author of the widely acclaimed book, Consulting to Family Businesses and co-author of Family Enterprise: Understanding families in business and families of wealth both published by Wiley. She serves as consultant and advisor to family businesses, throughout the United States, and has taught in the family business field in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Thomas Hussey, Hussey Seating Company
Thomas Hussey is the Perma National Sales Manager and part of the sixth generation ownership of Hussey Seating Company, which was founded in 1835 and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of spectator seating. Thomas came to work at
Hussey Seating Company in 1997 after time working in the financial industry and management of sports arenas. In his 17 years at Hussey Seating Company, in several roles, he has gained extensive knowledge of managing a family business and how it differs from other businesses.
Melinda A. Irish, CPA, Baker Newman Noyes, Elite Partner
Melinda began her career at Baker Newman Noyes in 2003. She is a Senior Manager in the firm’s Audit Division specializing in the manufacturing and distribution and employee benefit plans. Melinda is also involved with the firm’s internal training program.
Melinda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Husson University. Melinda enjoys gardening, cooking and spending time with her family. She is married with two sons and one daughter.
9
Alan D. MacEwan, Verrill Dana, LLP, Founding Sponsor
Alan is Chairman of Verrill Dana’s Business & Corporate Group and was recognized in Best Lawyers in America© as the 2015 Portland, Maine Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Lawyer of the Year. Although he has handled many sizable and
complex merger transactions during his career, Alan shuns the term “M&A lawyer,” as he strongly believes the term tends to depersonalize his practice. Instead, Alan likes to think his strength is working with individual owners who are, first and foremost, people.
Shauna Miller, TD Bank, Founding Sponsor
Shauna Miller is a Commercial Lender at TD Bank in Portland, Maine. Shauna’s expertise in small business and commercial financing is in line with the Institute’s mission of serving our growing community. Shauna provides exceptional service with
proven business development, while focusing on what her customer wants and needs. Shauna lives in South Portland with her husband and two boys.
Peter P. Sowles, Morong Falmouth
Peter P. Sowles is Vice President and Pre-Owned Manager at Morong Falmouth Volkswagen, Mazda Porsche & Audi located in Falmouth. He is a second generation Owner Operator and works closely with his brother Bill (President) in the Company
founded by their father Horace (Ken) Sowles in 1956. He is a graduate of Salisbury School in CT and received his BA in Business from Boston University. Peter lives in Cumberland with his wife Anne.
Dan Thornton, People’s United Bank
Dan Thornton heads People’s United Bank in Southern Maine. Thornton joined People’s United Bank in 2011 as Senior Vice President, Senior Lender for the Maine market. Prior to that he was Senior Vice President, Senior Lender at TD Bank in Portland,
Maine. He brings close to three decades of experience in commercial lending to Maine businesses and institutions. Thornton is also the president of the board of Ronald McDonald House of Portland. He earned his bachelor’s degree in resource economics from the University of Maine and his M.S. in business from Husson University.
Advisory BoardJohn Beauregard, Beauregard Equipment
A graduate of Champlain College, John and his brother Carl now run their family business. Beauregard Equipment was founded in 1968 by Bob Beauregard, as a Family Owned and Operated business, providing construction equipment products and support
services. Groomed from childhood and cross-trained in sales and rentals, service and parts, John can answer most questions on the spot. The company has full service locations in Colchester, VT Concord, NH and Bangor & Scarborough, ME.
Together, the brothers share a memory of Beauregard Equipment, maintain its character and values, and are proud
10
to see it flourish in their generation. As they grow, they pass on their knowledge and family values to all employees who in turn, carry the personal Beauregard touch to all of their customers. As a family owned and operated business, they put people before their machines, literally.
Janet Cole Cross, Cole Cross Connections, LLC.
Janet Cole Cross is a lifelong advocate for family business. As third generation family member of Cole’s Express, she first worked outside, then inside and also consulted to family businesses. She served as a founding board member for the Institute for
Family-Owned Business for 19 years and founding member of the Women’s and Next Generation affinity groups. She has been an active member of family business programs at the Wharton School, UNH, Northeastern University and The Family Firm Institute. As owner of Cole Cross Connections, LLC, Janet coaches the Next Generation, as they develop their own unique career plans.
Maddy Corson, AMG Associates
Maddy Corson is known for actively working to preserve the unique legacies of family-owned businesses. As the Chairman and Publisher of the former Guy Gannett Communications, a Portland-based, family-owned media company, Maddy
successfully translated into business the skills she had gained from her extensive leadership work for Maine non-profits. After fifteen years of service to the Institute board, Maddy is looking forward to being on the Advisory Board.
Harry Fraser, Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Harry G. Fraser manages Johnny’s Selected Seeds, an employee-owned seed producer and merchant headquartered in Maine. In addition to his leadership role at Johnny’s, Harry is also President of The H.G. Fraser Group, a management consulting
firm specializing in helping family businesses move to the next level. Prior to his association with Johnny’s, he was the Chief Executive Officer for Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers and previously served as the manager of Digital Equipment Corporation’s Augusta manufacturing division, an $800M business segment.
Harry holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Husson University, a MBA from the University of Southern Maine and is a Certified Business Valuation Analyst. He has a passion for family owned businesses and is on the Board of Advisors for a number of family owned businesses in Maine and Massachusetts. He is the past chair of the Institute for Family Owned Businesses and speaks regularly at various family business events on succession planning, board of advisor development, and strategic planning for family businesses.
11
John Isaacson, Lee Auto Malls
John A. Isaacson is the CEO, an equity partner and a board member of Lee Auto Malls. He started with the company as a salesperson in 1983 and held various management positions within the company before obtaining his current position
in 1996.
John has held a variety of leadership roles, including board chair and chair of numerous key committees, for St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston. He also serves on the boards of directors of Community Clinical Services; Covenant Health Systems (board chair); Greater Atlantic Insurance Company; Key Royal Insurance; Covenant Health Systems Insurance Limited and is a founding trustee of the Maine Auto Dealers Health Insurance Trust.
John grew up in Lewiston, Maine, where his family has lived for over 115 years. He is a 1980 graduate of Lewiston High School and a 1984 graduate of Dartmouth College (cum laude). He lives in Cumberland, Maine with his wife and 2 children.
Maureen Costello Wedge, Sun Media Group
Maureen Costello Wedge is Vice President, Human Resources and part of the fourth generation ownership who manage Sun Media Group, which includes a daily newspaper, 12 weekly newspapers and their websites, a commercial printing division, real estate
holdings and a software development company. Maureen has worked at the Sun Journal since 1988 and has served in leadership positions in a variety of industry and community associations. Maureen has extensive knowledge in all aspects of managing a family business, including human resources, employee relations and benefits and compensation.
Testimonials
“Working in a family business is unique. Sharing these experiences through the institute can help others as they manage the issues of family and business.”
- Tim Hussey, CEO of Hussey Seating
“Family-owned businesses are one of the driving factors in the Maine economy. Having the institute as a resource for family businesses in Maine helps these businesses succeed and prosper.”
- Maddy Corson, AMG Associates
12
Contact Us
Institute for Family-Owned Business
Catherine Wygant Fossett
Executive Director
P.O. Box 3364
Portland, ME 04104
207.798.2667
Media Inquiries:
Angie Helton
Northeast Media Associates
207.653.0365
For more information about programs,
upcoming events, membership, sponsorship
or other opportunities, please contact: