Giving Back

Janet Desmarais, 44, was crowned Mrs. Maine International last month and will go on to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2014 during the final competition to be held in Jacksonville, Fla., July 22-28. Having lost her aunt to Alzheimer’s  disease, Desmarais is committed to raising money for research and support for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their families. In addition to each contestant’s charitable platform, International Pageants Inc. supports the National Heart Association’s Go Red for Women program through volunteer and financial support. The Go Red for Women movement is dedicated to fighting heart disease among women.

Grants and Awards

Portland Mattress Makers was awarded the Maine Quality Center Grant for incumbent workers from Southern Maine Community College and the Maine Community College System. The grant, which is administered through the Maine Quality Center, will help provide training to elevate the expertise of Portland Mattress Makers’ existing employees, enabling the company to grow and expand more effectively.

Friends of Seguin Island Light Station have been awarded a $5,000 project grant for the replacement of the fascia, gutters and soffits on the Seguin Island Light Station Keeper’s House. The Friends will conduct all aspects of the project in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and will complete the project this year.

Recognition

Todd H. Doolan and Jeremiah Burns, both senior portfolio managers in Morgan Stanley’s Portland Wealth Management office, were named to Barron’s list of America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: 2014 State-by-State. The Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors is a select group of individuals who are screened on a number of criteria. Among factors the survey takes into consideration are assets under management, revenue produced for the firm and quality of service provided to clients.

William Van Twisk was recently awarded a Maine Association of Realtors Life Membership. For this designation, the association considers those who have been members for more than 30 years who have made a significant contribution to the professional organization – which exists on a local, state and national level – and have contributed to professional practice standards and the community at large.