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Maine's Family-Owned Businesses Of The Year Nominated

May 21, 2007

Nineteen Maine businesses have been nominated in two categories for the Gannett Family Business of the Year Awards. The winners will be announced at the eighth annual awards dinner ceremony on Wednesday, June 13 at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.

Tom Chappell, who with his wife, Kate Chappell, is cofounder of Tom's of Maine, will be the keynote speaker.
The awards are a program of the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB), a nonprofit organization based at the University of Southern Maine that was 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. The awards were founded by community and business leader Maddy Corson, former chair of Guy Gannett Communications, and a member of USM's Institute for Family-Owned Business Advisory Board.

Nominees have demonstrated excellence in several areas, including business success, work environment, succession planning and community involvement. The nominees this year are:

LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY

Agren Appliance - a retailer of home appliances and televisions, located in southern, central and mid-coast Maine. A first and second generation company located in Auburn.

Geiger - nationally distributes promotional products, corporate programs, Farmers' Almanac and promotional marketing. A fourth generation business located in Lewiston.

H.A. Mapes, Inc. - offers wholesale gasoline sales in Maine, southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts. A third generation business delivering gasoline to over 100 gas stations and convenience stores, headquartered in Springvale.

Hamlin's Marine - offers boat sales, service and storage as well as marine parts and accessories. A first-generation company located in Waterville.

Hahnel Bros. Co. - a roofing and sheet metal fabrication company serving Maine and New Hampshire. A third generation business located in Lewiston.

Maine Machine Products - a precision custom manufacturer of components and assemblies for targeted high technology markets in the United States and selected foreign markets. A second generation business located in South Paris.

Maritime Energy - petroleum and retail convenience stores located in Knox, Lincoln and Waldo Counties. A second and third generation business headquartered in Rockland.

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

A Perfect Smile - combines art and science in aesthetic and restorative dentistry. A first generation business located in Falmouth.

Apollo Salon Spa & Bistro - this company offers a full range of spa, beauty, health and nutrition services. A first generation company located in Waterville.

Anthony's Italian Kitchen - a restaurant and dinner theater serving the Greater Portland market. A third generation business located in Portland.

Morrison's Maine Course - produces specialty seafood products available nationwide through mail order, the Internet and over 500 stores in 23 states. Also operates a restaurant in Freeport. A first generation business headquartered in Portland.

Rossignol Excavation, Inc. - an excavating, business park and land sales development business covering Central Maine. A second generation business located in Oakland.

Saddleback Mountain - a ski mountain being developed into a four-season resort serving Maine and New England. A first and second generation business located in Rangeley.

Skowhegan Press - a commercial printing, quick printing and copies business primarily in Central Maine with customers throughout New England. A first and second generation business located in Skowhegan.

Spell Bound ... A Gamer's Paradise - selling collectable card games as well as unique board games, and provides a place for customers to sit and play these games. A first generation business located in Waterville.

Stained Glass Express - offering stained glass and supplies, glass gift lines, repair and fabrication of residential, commercial and church stained glass. A first generation business located in Waterville.

The Beachmere Inn - an Inn offering guest rooms for the traveling public, uniquely located on the ocean where the Ogunquit River enters behind Ogunquit Beach. A third generation business.

Visibility - offering color, style and makeup consults, wardrobe and closet audits, business image presentations, skin care treatments and custom design jewelry. A first and second generation business located in Portland.

Yardgoods Center - a full service fabric store offering designer and fashion fabrics and yarns, quilting, home design, rubber stamps, craft supplies, needlework and sewing machines. A second generation business located in Waterville.

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, the Institute for Family-Owned Business sponsors a range of seminars and workshops addressing such issues as compensation, communication, leadership development, and successful planning.

For more information visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/ifob or call Tom Juenemann, director of the Institute for Family-Owned Business, at 780-5935.

Note for editors and news directors:
For more information or for help arranging coverage of this ceremony, please contact Tom Juenemann at 207-780-5935 or Tomj@usm.maine.edu, or the USM Office of Public Affairs at 780-4200.

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