Celebrating 75 years

Southern Maine Community College held a spring planting ceremony to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. Shown at the South Portland Campus are, from left, Professor Brian Tarbox, foundation donor Eleanor Redmond, foundation board member and donor John Boyne, former longtime professor David Pratt, Maine Community College System President David Daigler, students Sarah Metcalf and Natalie Potter, and SMCC Professor Norma Willis. Contributed / SMCC

MCHT names Espy Land Heritage Award recipient

Alexander

Topsham-based Maine Coast Heritage Trust named Susan Alexander as the recipient of the 2021 Espy Land Heritage Award. The award is given every year to an individual, organization or coalition for exemplary conservation efforts in Maine.

Alexander, a volunteer for nearly four decades, has provided steady support for countless land conservation initiatives from the Damariscotta River to Camden Hills to Penobscot Bay.

“I can’t think of a better time to recognize Susan, whose unwavering community spirit, humble leadership and selflessness embody the very traits we have come to rely upon from frontline workers and volunteers through the many challenges of the past year,” said MCHT President Tim Glidden.

L.L.Bean family honored by Maine Historical Society

L.L.Bean founder Leon Leonwood Bean with a customer. The world-renowned company was recently honored by the Maine Historical Society. Contributed / Maine Historical Society

Maine Historical Society honored the L.L.Bean family with its 2021 Maine History Maker Award during a virtual program May 6 in recognition of an individual or family in the state that has made significant contributions to the community.

The iconic family “has had a profound impact in shaping Maine’s identity, iconic brand and our nation’s relationship to the outdoors,” according to Elaine Tselikis of MHS in a prepared statement.

Company founder Leon Leonwood Bean’s vision, business drive and story laid the foundation, Tselikis said, while “continued family leadership has built L.L.Bean into a modern corporation that has driven Maine’s economy and defined its image to the world for more than a century.”

“Throughout, family members have given back to the Maine community through volunteerism, philanthropy and corporate stewardship,” Tselikis said.

Milestones

Executive Office Centers, Maine’s largest and oldest shared office space, is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its founding this year.

After moving from the Time and Temperature Building last year, the company successfully settled in at 254 Commercial St. on Merrill’s Wharf overlooking Portland Harbor in June 2020.

“Like so many Maine businesses last year, we were on the brink,” said EOC owner Bowen Depke. “Reaching this milestone was not guaranteed. But through flexibility and a lot of hard work, our staff has been able to seamlessly transition to our new location, fill each of our new offices … We’re excited about our future.”

Jade Integrated Health integrative medical practice celebrated 20 years in business last month. Founded in 2001 by John and Nancy Charlebois with a holistic approach to wellness, practitioners have treated over 100,000 Maine patients in their Portland and Brunswick locations. The couple has plans to open a third as-yet-to-be-determined location in southern Maine.

Hires, promotions, appointments

The Boulos Company is pleased to welcome Chris Gallagher as a new broker at the real estate company. Prior to joining Boulos, Gallagher worked for more than 20 years at BNS Real Estate in New York.

Davies

Portland-based Keller Williams Realty continues to grow with the addition of a new Director of Growth, Jesse Davies.

Davies comes from Keller Williams Coastal Realty in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was a lead agent for six years. Prior to joining Keller Williams, he owned a home inspection franchise as well as a landscaping business.