by Jamie Logan and Bryan Roche
As we approach the end of 2018, there’s no slowing down for Maine’s entrepreneurs and leaders that we have profiled as Maine Icons. Let’s take a look at what a few of them have been up to and what they have planned for the future.
Maine Icon Betsy Biemann, CEO of Brunswick-based CEI Enterprises, had good news to share recently as the organization announced their 2018 impact. Among the success the organization has seen this year is the creation or preservation of 2,000 jobs across various industries. They have also distributed $16.4 million in loans to dozens of businesses and provided advice and advocacy for businesses in the state.
Emerging Icon Alex Steed and his company, Knack Factory, have growth in their future for 2019. In February, Steed will be relocating to Nashville to open a second Knack Factory office to expand the multimedia content production company’s reach into new markets. Knack Factory will continue to operate in Maine.
Two Icons are playing a role in shaping the next four years of Maine government. Maine Icon Peter Delgreco, president and CEO of Maine & Company, and Emerging Icon Spencer Thibodeau, Verrill Dana attorney and Portland City Councilor, are both members of Governor-elect Mills’ transition team. The two will be helping in the search for officials to fill high-level positions in the Mills administration.
Emerging Icon Katie Shorey, a business and community liaison for People’s United Bank, N.A. received the company’s CEO Leadership award. Management lauded the fact that Shorey’s “desire to be a positive influence in the Maine business community shines through in all of her community partnership ventures.”
Congratulations to Maine Icons Beth Shissler and her company, Sea Bags, for their recent national exposure on Forbes.com. The business publication featured Shissler and Sea Bags in their entrepreneurship and New England start-up column.