Cumberland Public Safety awards excellence

Deputy Chief Christopher Copp and Karen Bilodeau were inducted as life members at the Cumberland Public Safety Awards Banquet on April 7 at the Val Halla Banquet Center. The honor is bestowed on members who have 25 years of service. 

The department also presented distinguished service awards during the evening’s events: Brian Cashin, Administrative Service Award for his support for the newly renovated Central Station; Sgt. Thomas Burgess, Community Service Award, in part for life-saving actions toward a Cumberland resident; Sgt. Tony Ridge, Officer of the Year; Matthew Dobson, Firefighter of the Year; and Capt. David St. Clair, Officer of the Year.

Five-year pins were presented to firefighters Dianne Fossett and Dr. John Martel; 10-year pins were presented to firefighters Erin Chandler, Wendall Howard, Jordan Small and Natalie Muldoon; 15-year pins went to firefighters Adam Foster, Richard Gibbs and Mark Sloat.

The banquet’s highlight each year is a video presentation produced by firefighter Megan Morgan that spotlights the major incidents, training and momentous occasions from the past year. The chronology portrays Cumberland’s Public Safety in action, invokes great pride, moments of laughter, and reminds everyone of their purpose in assisting the public.

Women lauded for putting kids first

Kids First Center will honor Terri DeCoster and Elizabeth Stout, Esq., with the Kids First Center Outstanding Service Award, to be presented at Bloom at Thompson’s Point on May 4.

Kids First was founded in 1998 through a collaboration between Resources for Divorced Families and the Junior League of Portland. DeCoster’s involvement in the Junior League brought her to the newly formed organization. She grew into the role of facilitator of the Kids First Program for Stepparents and New Partners, which she continues to teach. She has chaired the Programs Committee, volunteered in and facilitated kids’ groups, and served as president of the board.

Stout joined the board in 2007, and, as an experienced family law attorney working with families struggling through divorce and separation, she has been committed to serving her clients while also helping them navigate the divorce process in the least adversarial way.

Recognition

Michelle Lilienthal of Portland was the first woman across the finish line on April 22 during the inaugural Portland 10 Miler, clocking in at 1 hour, 2 minutes and 55 seconds. Lilienthal, who has qualified for the Olympic marathon trials this year and in 2008 and 2016, is a member of team “Lily’s Ladies,” along with male winner Michael Gordon. Gordon, also of Portland, finished first overall with a time of 56:14 in the event, which drew 1,400 runners and walkers to Edward Payson Park in Portland. A portion of the proceeds benefited Spurwink Services.

Steve Levesque, executive director of Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, will be recognized as the Nonprofit Business Leader of the year by Mainebiz at a reception on May 3 to honor its 2018 Mainebiz Business Leaders of the Year. 

Portland-based Bristol Seafood will be among six of Maine’s most innovative products that will exhibit at Trade Day 2018 on May 18 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, where attendees will vote for Best in Show.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Dr. Kristen Honey, a Portland native who graduated from Portland High School, is serving as vice chairwoman on the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group.  Honey is a Senior Policy analyst in the White House Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C. The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group was established in 2017, and will report to Congress on its findings and any recommendations for the federal response to tick-borne disease prevention, treatment and research.

TideSmart Global announced the company has hired four key members to accommodate an expanding client base, which includes two new global clients. Robert Brodeur was named vice president, client engagement. Ethan Foss is the new vice president, operations, while Christine Campbell is the new vice president, media. Jennifer Minthorn will take the lead of TideSmart Global’s healthcare marketing agency, Promerica Health.

Alison McDougal has joined the American Red Cross of Maine as its chief development officer, the organization’s fundraising strategist.

Jesse Passmore joined Perkins Thompson in Portland as an associate attorney in the firm’s Business, Tax, and Trusts & Estates practice groups.

Certified interior designer Rachel Redfearn recently joined the team at Gawron Turgeon Architects, P.C., in Scarborough.

Karen Bilodeau, Cumberland Fire Department’s newest 25-year member, with her family, all members of the department. Also inducted this year was Deputy Chief Christopher Copp.
More than $1,300 was raised by the American Foundation for “Out of Darkness” suicide prevention walk at a craft and vendor fair April 14 at the Brunswick Elks Lodge. Shown are Kelly Hoyt, Maine AFSP Chapter president; Cristal Homan, Bath walk leader; Jen Grant, Maine AFSP Chapter volunteer coordinator. McDougalPassmore HoneyLongtime board members Terri DeCoster and Elizabeth Stout will be recognized by Kids First Center this Saturday.