"This morning's conference was great!  It was a wide range of participants on the panels and that was a great way to hear a wide view of options and ideas from the panelists!  Kevin Hancock gets my vote for most open, honest and helpful answers to questions. He was outstanding and his thoughts today were very heartfelt and honest.  Take away the layers of "facade" and discuss the truth of what it's like and how you face the issuers."
- Janet Cole Cross, Career Coach, Cole Cross Connections, LLC


FAMILY BUSINESS FORUM

  • March 28, 2014
  • 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Bowdoin College, Daggett Lounge, Thorne Hall

Registration

  • Non-members
  • Complimentary Member/Sponsor Registration

Registration is closed

FAMILY BUSINESS FORUM

Keynote Speaker: Senator Angus King

   
When: Friday, March 28
Time: 7:30-10:30 am
Where: Bowdoin College, Daggett Lounge, Thorne Hall
Cost: NO CHARGE - COMMUNITY WELCOME
 
 AGENDA
 
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Registration and networking
 
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Introductions
 
9:00-9:45 a.m.
Senator Angus King
 
9:45-10:30 a.m.
Presentations and panel discussion
 
10:30-11:00 a.m.
Program concludes and networking continues  
 
About Angus

On January 3, 2013, Angus S. King, Jr. was sworn in as Maine's first Independent United States Senator.

   

Senator King joins a long line of independent leaders from the State of Maine. He is a steadfast believer in the need for greater bipartisan dialogue and relationship building among legislators.

   

Senator King began his career as a staff attorney for Pine Tree Legal Assistance in Skowhegan. In 1972, he served as chief counsel to U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics in the office of former Maine Senator William Hathaway.

   

In 1975, he returned to Maine to practice with Smith, Loyd and King in Brunswick. In 1983, he was appointed Vice President of Swift River/Hafslund Company, an alternative energy development company working on hydro and biomass projects in Maine and New England. Six years later, he founded Northeast Energy Management, Inc., a developer of large-scale energy conservation initiatives at commercial and industrial facilities in Maine.

   

In 1994, Senator King was elected Maine's 71st Governor. During his two terms in the Blaine House, he focused on economic development and job creation, and also achieved significant reforms in education, mental health services, land conservation, environmental protection, and the delivery of state services. He was re-elected in 1998 by one of the largest margins in Maine's history.

   

Senator King was born in Alexandria, VA in 1944. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966 and from University of Virginia Law School in 1969. Senator King is married to Mary Herman and has four sons, Angus III, Duncan, James, and Ben, one daughter, Molly, and five grandchildren. He lives in Brunswick. 

 
Panelists
Sarah Guerette, Counselor and Center Director
The Women's Business Center at CEI

 
      
Sarah provides technical assistance to start-ups and existing small businesses in southern Maine, with a focus on women-owned businesses. Services include: one-on-one counseling on a range of topics including: business planning, business financing, and sustainable growth; workshops; and online training. Originally from Bangor, Maine, Sarah has worked with small business owners both in Boston and in Ecuador, where she lived for nearly five years.  She also runs a small nonprofit that supports the education of working street children in Quito, Ecuador.  When not at the office, Sarah can often be found out networking, biking around Portland, swimming laps in the pool, or at home cooking up loads of leafy greens.
About the Women's Business Center:
The Women's Business Center at CEI offers experienced, knowledgeable business specialists who can help you at any stage of your business, from startup to expansion. Within a setting that respects your experience, skills, and learning style, we assist you in building business skills through access to timely, accurate, tailored information and resources. We offer:      
  • A long-term relationship with a skilled business counselo
  • An understanding of how family and other social obligations affect your business
  • Opportunities for networking with other business owners
  • Free and confidential business counseling on topics such as:
    • Business plan development
    • Financing options for your business
    • Business skills, such as: marketing, financial management, website planning, and on-line sales and marketing
    • Ongoing support for business growth and expansion tailored to your business
    • Assistance in buying or selling a business
 
Virginia Manuel, State Director
USDA Rural Development in Maine
 
Virginia Manuel was appointed to serve as State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine by President Obama on September 21, 2009. She brings over twenty five years experience in business, state economic development, and international trade in both government and the private sector to the position.
 
Prior to assuming her position, she was founder of Manuel & Associates (2001-2009) where she provided strategic planning and development services to promote collaboration between Maine local government, business, and research organizations and Northern Ireland/Ireland business, government and research institutions. She also served as an advisor to the Vital Voices Global Partnership, a worldwide women's leadership development organization in Washington, D.C.
 
Formerly, she served as a Senior Advisor and Special Assistant (1994-2001) in the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, in Washington, D.C. promoting U.S. exports and international commercial initiatives. She is a former Director of Business Assistance for the State of Maine.
 
She is a graduate of the University of Maine with a B.S. degree in Education and Sociology and holds a Graduate Certificate in Marketing and Fundraising Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She attended St. Peter's College, Oxford University, England with studies in Renaissance history.
 
Ms. Manuel grew up in Aroostook County in a potato farming family and permanently resides on the family farm.
 
Mark Delisle, State Director
Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
 
 
Mark joined the Maine SBDC staff in April 2008 as state director overseeing implementation of the program and delivery of its services.  He serves on the National Accreditation Committee of America's Small Business Development Center Network.
 
Mark brings to the position extensive experience as a small business owner, most recently as an independent retailer of fine art supplies and picture framing in Bath from 2002-2007.  He also worked in Maine from 1999-2001 as an independent consultant in internet marketing, selling fine art in various media - from auction sites to traditional retail sites - in partnership with a New York gallery.
 
He has been a senior consultant for a multinational technology consulting company specializing in web development and network services.  For 11 years, he held various positions, including director, in the Information Technology division at Hannaford Bros. Co. in Scarborough.  His technology career also includes management of multimedia learning and product systems, desktop technologies, as well as an information center supervising networking activities.
 
Mark has a Master's in Business Administration and  Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
 
 
Scott Benson, Director
Midcoast Economic Development District
 
 
  Scott Benson has worked in economic and community development in Maine for more than twenty years.  Scott has worked effectively to leverage resources on the local, regional and statewide levels to support increased investment and job creation by the private sector, and strategic investments and targeted development programs by the public sector.
 
Scott is currently Senior Program Director for the Midcoast Economic Development District. He has previously served as Associate Director of Development for the City of Augusta, and Director of Development for the Town of Lisbon. Scott also served as an economic and community development consultant for the Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, where he worked with businesses and communities across the state.
 
He is a member of the Economic Development Council of Maine and is a certified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administrator.
Guest Emcee:
 
Derek Volk, President
Box Talk Radio 
 
Derek Volk is owner of Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, Maine.  Volk Packaging is a 3rd generation family owned and operated corrugated box manufacturer started in 1967 by Derek’s grandfather and father.  Today the company is run by Derek and his uncle, Douglas.  They are technically a 4th generation business now as Derek’s two college age children work part-time for the company, although neither has decided that is where their future lies.  In the year 2000 Volk Packaging was presented the very first IFOB “Family Business of the Year” award, an honor proudly displayed in their lobby today.  With 75 employees the Volks have personal relationships with and with plans for continued growth and success, Volk Packaging is what Maine’s family businesses are all about. 
box talk radio
   
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or call Gina Weathersby at 207-798-2667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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