University of Southern Maine

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Maine's Family-Owned Businesses of the Year To Be Announced

May 25, 2005

The 2005 Gannett Family Business of the Year Award will be presented on Tuesday, June 7, in recognition of a family-owned business that has made exceptional contributions to Maine's economic and community life.

The 2005 ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m., at the Harraseeket Inn, Freeport. The awards ceremony is a program of the Institute for Family-Owned Business, a nonprofit organization based at the University of Southern Maine that was established in 1995 to support family-owned businesses in Maine. For information on how to register for the event, please call the USM Department of Conferences at 780-5960.

George H. Berkowitz, founder and chairman of Legal Sea Foods, Inc., will be the keynote speaker. The family-owned restaurant chain, which was founded in 1950 as a fresh seafood market in Cambridge, Mass., now has 31 locations along the eastern seaboard.

Now in its sixth year, the Gannett Award recognizes a large and a small family-owned business. The 2004 recipients were White Rock Distilleries of Lewiston, a manufacturer and importer of fine spirits and liqueurs, and Paricon, Inc. of South Paris, a marketing and sales company servicing the wholesale and retail sporting goods and toy markets.Ê White Rock Distilleries was named the winner in the large business category (50 or more employees), while Paricon won in the small business category.

Nominations are solicited statewide and evaluated by a panel of judges. The recipients are not announced until the evening of the awards presentations.

Family-owned businesses represent approximately 90 percent of all businesses in Maine, yet less than 30 percent survive to the second generation and only 13 percent make it to the third generation. The Institute for Family-Owned Business sponsors a range of seminars and workshops to help companies address such issues as compensation, communication, leadership development and succession planning. For more information, call 780-5935, or visit www.usm.maine.edu/ifob/

2005 GANNETT FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD APPLICANTS

LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY

> Care and Comfort - provides quality home health and mental health care. A first and second-generation company located in Waterville.

> Central Maine Motors - a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Toyota, Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick auto dealer. A third-generation company with locations in the Waterville area, Norridgewock, and Belfast.

> Day's Jewelers - a retail jewelry and repair company specializing in diamonds, precious gemstones, watches, design and appraisals. A second-generation company headquartered in Waterville and operating stores throughout Maine.

> James D. Julia Antiques - one of the leading specialty auctioneers in North America. A second-generation company located in Fairfield.

> Johnny's Selected Seeds - a mail order company offering vegetable, flower and herb seeds, and unique hand tools. A first-generation business operating in Winslow. · Shipyard Brewing - a manufacturer and brewer of craft beer and hand crafted soda. A first- generation company operating in Portland.Ê

> The Boulos Company - a company offering Real Estate brokerage, management and development services. A first-generation company located in Portland covering the market area from Maine to New York.

> The Strainrite Company/Lapoint Industries - manufacturer of liquid filtration products covering the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. A second-generation company operating in Auburn.

> Thomas Moser - a national and international high end hardwood furniture manufacturer and retailer. A first and second-generation company based in Auburn.

> Valley Distributors, Inc. - a wholesale distribution of beverages, sales and marketing of numerous malt and non-alcoholic beverages in the Central Maine area. A second-generation business located in Oakland.

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY

>AAA Portable Toilets - this company provides rental and service of portable toilets in central and northern Maine. A second-generation company located in Albion.

> Allegiance Financial Group - a financial service, investment management and advisory services for Maine, New England, United States and International. A first and second-generation company located in South Portland.

> Are You Ready To Party - a full service party and rental retail store. A first-generation company operating in a 30-mile radius of Waterville for retail and 100-mile radius for rental coverage.

> Hillman's Bakery - a bakery offering the best product and service at the best price. A second-generation company located in Fairfield.

> Jill McGowan, Inc. - a designer-owned company providing quality clothing for women that is comfortable and fashionable. A first- generation company located in Portland.

> Jordan-Fernald Funeral Homes - provides funeral and cremation services for Hancock County. A fourth and fifth-generation company located in Ellsworth.

> Larsen's Jewelry - a retail jeweler offering watches, repairs, designs and appraisals. A second-generation company located in Waterville.Ê

> Lee's Tire and Service - a tire sales, automotive service and repair company. A first and second-generation company operating in Topsham, Brunswick, Hallowell and Lisbon Falls.

> Lighthouse Imaging Corporation - a medical optics design, development and manufacturer of instrumentation for surgery and test equipment for endoscope production. A first-generation business located in Portland.

> Maine Lobster Direct - this company ships Maine seafood across North America. A first-generation company located in Portland.

> South Port Marine - a full service boat yard and marina in South Portland. First and second-generation ownership.

> Sweetser Apple Barrell - this company raises and markets apples, cider, vegetables, flowers and garden products. A fourth and fifth-generation company located in Cumberland.

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