Local companies win Governor’s Awards

Eight companies, including three based in Portland, were recognized Sept. 19 with the 2014 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. In a reception at Southern Maine Community College, Gov. Paul LePage presented the awards, which have been given annually since 1991 to businesses that represent “the best of the best,” he said.

“All eight of these companies are committed to quality workmanship, maintaining a loyal and dedicated workforce, and giving back to the communities they do business in.”

The award recipients are: Fluid Imaging Technologies, of Scarborough; GAC Chemical Corp., of Searsport; Hall Internet Marketing, of Portland; Haven’s Candies, of Westbrook; Huhtamaki Inc., of Waterville; Kepware Technologies, of Portland; Priority Real Estate Group, of Topsham; and Winxnet, of Portland.

New Hires, Promotions and Appointments

Dr. Meghann M. Dombroski has joined Midcoast Orthodontics as an associate. Dombroski, who practiced general dentistry in Portland for several years, completed her orthodontic residency at Tufts University. She also earned her dental degree at Tufts and holds a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University.

Heather Sanborn, co-owner of Rising Tide Brewing Co. in Portland, has been named to the Maine Small Business and Entrepreneurship Commission. The 12-member, independent panel advises the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development on ways to strengthen entrepreneurship in Maine.

Alice Kornhauser has been appointed executive director of the Portland Chamber Music Festival. Kornhauser has over 20 years of experience leading strategic marketing and planning efforts for organizations such as Lincoln Center Inc. and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, she served as vice president of marketing and communications for United Way of Greater Portland.

The Brunswick Hotel and Tavern has hired David Pendexter as executive chef. Educated at Johnson & Wales University, Pendexter has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including the kitchens of the Higgins Beach Inn and both Portland locations of the Hilton Garden Inn.

The Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, a nonprofit, virtual incubator for start-up businesses, has appointed Catherine Renault as chairwoman of its board of directors. She is principal of Innovation Policyworks, a Brunswick-based  firm that develops technology-based economic development programs for regional government. In addition, MCED has named two Portland-based entrepreneurs to its board: Becky McKinnel, president of iBec Creative, and Chris Sauer, president of Ocean Renewable Power Co.

Courtney Allen has joined CBRE/The Boulos Co., a Portland-based commercial real estate brokerage, as an executive assistant. She was previously an operations coordinator at Falmouth marketing firm TideSmart Global.

New Beginnings

Tracy Hayes has opened Mr. Handyman of Greater Portland, a home repair and maintenance service and the first Maine franchise of the Mr. Handyman network. The network includes more than 200 locations in North America, and is the country’s largest employer of home repair professionals. Hayes’ franchise will serve the Portland area, including Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Scarborough and South Portland.

Recognition

Brian Bartlett of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Yarmouth has been awarded the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist.

Jessica Hanscombe, licensing administrator for the City of South Portland, has been named the state’s Deputy Clerk of the Year by the Maine Town and City Clerks Association. Hanscombe, who has served the city since 2011, was recognized at a Sept. 9 meeting for going “above and beyond” the requirements of her job.

Mid Coast Health recently honored three of its rehabilitation staff as “Employees of the Year”: Susan Allen, Jim Byrne and Catherine Jaquith. Allen is a rehab aide, while Byrne and Jaquith are physical therapists. The recognition was part of a week-long celebration of Mid Coast’s rehabilitation services, which include inpatient, outpatient and home-based care.

Portland-based Burgess Advertising & Marketing received Communicator Awards for two recent TV campaigns. The firm’s ads for enroll207.com received an Award of Excellence, while the “Save Your Pipes” campaign received an Award of Distinction. The Communicator Awards program recognizes creative excellence in business communications throughout regional markets, and this year received over 6,000 entries.

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