The SMMC is proud to honor Melissa Sawyer Boulette with the Young Professional Award
Short Bio:
Melissa Sawyer Boulette is the Marketing Director at Perry, Fitts, Boulette & Fitton CPAs. In her role she held a successful 5 year anniversary event. Her efforts contribute to the annual growth of the Bath office. She is an active volunteer in the community, having served Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Special Olympics, and the Bath Rotary, to name a few. In 2016 she was elected to sit on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Maine where her warmth, positivity, savvy and high energy helps motivate that team just like it does with every group she becomes a part of.
The SMMC is proud to honor Tim Sardano with the President's Award
Short Bio:
Tim Sardano currently works in communications at the Maine Department of Labor, where he handles much of the department's outreach efforts to job seekers and businesses. In this role he plans events, develops speaking engagement opportunities and workshop proposals for the department's subject matter experts, and provides marketing counsel for DOL projects such as new product launches, the Maine-At-Work Initiative, Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, and various job fairs throughout the state. Tim often provides the Chamber with critical information on labor-related issues and has helped promote the Chamber's job fairs through the connection with the Brunswick CareerCenter. He is active in volunteering and highly involved with our MidCoast Edge Networking group. Tim was elected as chair of the Realize Maine Network steering committee for 2017 and 2018.
The SMMC is proud to honor Cook's Lobster & Ale House with the Small Business of the Year Award.
Short Bio:
Small business of the Year – Cook’s Lobster & Ale House Harpswell Maine. Owners Jen and Nick Charboneau purchased the restaurant in early summer 2015. Their energy, attention to detail, and creative and fresh ideas which still honor the preservation of a cherished establishment have led to an increase in sales over 60% and the employment of the restaurant staff they inherited while adding 25-30 new employees in peak season.
Through these efforts their success has reestablished Cook’s as a leading seafood restaurant on the coast of Maine. Jen and Nick are active in the community and host fundraisers for charitable organizations such as the Harpswell Home Heating Assistance Program, Harpswell Aging At Home (HAH), as well as the Maine Lobsterman’s Association (MLCA).
The SMMC is proud to honor Flight Deck Brewing with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award.
Short Bio:
One of the great successes in our region has been the transition of the Brunswick Naval Air Station into a thriving business center. No company has embodied that transition in the past 12 months quite like Flight Deck Brewing. Co-founders Jared Entwistle and Nate Wildes repurposed the old Small Arms Range and transformed it into the hottest brewery and tasting room around. By combining a unique vision of what craft brewing can be and tying it to the military tradition of the air base, they have created a business that is both unique and familiar.
The SMMC is proud to honor Avita Memory Care Community and Sunnybrook Senior Living Community with the Small Business of the Year Award.
Short Bio:
The Director’s Award goes to an individual or company that the Executive Director feels is deserving of recognition for their support of the chamber. Over the last 12 months the Northbridge Companies’ Brunswick organizations Avita Memory Care Community and Sunnybrook Senior Living Community have been strong and exemplary members of SMMC. Through their leadership team and employees, Avita and Sunnybrook have represented the chamber positively, contributed to the communities our chamber serves, and been engaged partners in all of the chamber activities and programs. These two organizations provide client-focused environments and caring senior care that are truly part of the community. They are true assets to our Southern Midcoast region.
The SMMC is proud to honor Crooker Construction with the Large Business of the Year Award.
Short Bio
What started as a trucking company in 1930s has become one of the most respected heavy equipment construction companies in the state and one of the largest employers in our region. Crooker Construction is an organization with the expertise and professionalism of a large class business while maintaining family and community values. In 2014, the Crooker family sold the company to a 20+ year employee ensuring the continuity of the business and reserving the local workforce. Since then, the company has doubled its’ revenue and reinvested it into doubling their workforce and updating their equipment.
The SMMC in partnership with the Mid-Coast Veterans Council is proud to honor Capt. Sean D. Kearns and Mr. John B. Briley with the Joshua L. Chamberlain Award.
Short Bio - Capt. Sean D. Kearns
In his roles as the 73rd Commanding Officer of the USS Constitution and Executive Officer of the pre- Commissioning Unit of the Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), Capt Sean D. Kearns has participated in education and outreach activities. He taught school children in a variety of schools in the Midcoast region and across Maine. He personally donates his time and has also led his unit’s personnel in volunteering at the Brunswick Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention program, Mobile Food Bank, Maine's First Ship project, Bath Brunswick YMCA, Bath Middle and High Schools education projects, and more. Capt. Kearns exemplifies the charter of Joshua L. Chamberlain in his service to the country and others.
Short Bio – Mr. John B. Briley:
Educated with a Master’s degree in Maritime History, John B. Briley has labored long and hard to ensure that the rich history of Naval Air Station Brunswick and its connection with the area towns preserved. He has been one of the moving forces behind the creation of the Brunswick Naval Museum and memorial gardens. This work has initiated a transformation of decommissioned spaces into a first class Naval Museum that reflects the beginnings of the base as a Royal Air Force Pilot Training Base during WWII to its' closing as a premier US Navy Maritime Patrol Base. Mr. Briley, like Joshua L. Chamberlain, showcases the educational and military side of life in the area.
Harry C. Crooker Lifetime Achievement Award
Short Bio:
Carolyn Farkas-Noe is a name familiar to many in the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, as Carolyn embodied the chamber ideals and projects for over 30 years. Carolyn is a kind-hearted, community-focused leader who was Vice-President and at times Interim President and Executive Director until retiring in June of 2016. This news column was written by Carolyn for years. She was the voice on the phone that welcomed hundreds of visitors to the region annually and she was the advocate in the regional meetings, always putting our communities first. She has meant so much to this region and to this organization, and the SMMC members are thrilled to be able to honor her on March 9th.
