Business news

Bangor

Canadian trade seminar

ORONO – Since completion of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, trade between Maine and Canada has more than doubled. Maine trades more than $3 billion worth of goods annually with Canada. New Brunswick and Quebec rank second and third, respectively, among Maine’s international trading partners.

The opportunities and challenges presented by free trade with Canada will be the topic of the second annual Canadian trade seminar, to be held 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Bangor Savings Bank’s G. Clifton Eames Learning Center in Bangor. The University of Maine’s Canadian-American Center and the Maine International Trade Center will serve as seminar hosts. The seminar is sponsored by Eaton Peabody.

“The Canadian-American Center demonstrated unique expertise that businesses in the area have expressed an interest in,” said Richard Coyle, president of the Maine International Trade Center. “Last year’s seminar was an introduction to Canada, its government policies and business climate. This year the program will focus on the history, politics and economics of trade. An emphasis will be placed on viewing issues from the perspective of both countries.”

Participants will include: UMaine history professor Scott See, associate professor of political science and Canadian studies Howard Cody, assistant professor of economics Georges Tanguay, assistant professor of management Marie-Christine Therrien; Larissa Blavatska, head of the political and economic relations division at the Canadian consulate in Boston; and Lloyd Irland, a forest industry consultant and UMaine adjunct faculty member.

To obtain information or to register, call Catherine Macri at the Maine International Trade Center office in Portland at 541-7400 or e-mail info@mitc.com. The cost is $50 for MITC members, $75 for nonmembers. Registration is recommended by Jan. 30.

Remodeling scholarship

Elizabeth Duke, an employee of Duke Building and Remodeling, has received a scholarship of $350 from Simonton Windows, a manufacturer of vinyl replacement and new construction windows and doors in Parkersburg, W.Va.

Duke used the funding, one of 15 scholarships awarded, to participate in a two-day training session to earn a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist program designation from the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council.

30-year service award

John Rohman, chief executive officer of WBRC Architects/Engineers, received the C. Parker Crowell Award Jan. 13 in honor of 30 years of service with the firm. At a monthly staff meeting, Stephen B. Rich presented the award and a trophy to Rohman.

A University of Maine graduate, Rohman began his apprenticeship with the firm in 1968, working for Higgins and Webster. He officially began his career with the firm in 1972, and has been a partner since 1978 and a principal since the firm incorporated in the early 1980s.

“Beginning as an engineer, I was given the latitude in 1990 to pursue my greater interest – interior design,” said Rohman. He spent three years taking courses in art and architecture at the University of Maine and Boston Architectural Center.

Rohman has served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and as a member and chairman of the Bangor City Council. He served as vice chairman of the Maine Arts Commission, as mayor of Bangor, and as a member of the board of directors for the University of Maine Alumni Association, the University of Maine Museum of Art advisory committee, and the board for the Action Committee of 50.

Rohman is the principal in the Shaw House Bangor Waterworks Renovation project.

Brewer

Insurance Fellow

Dale A. Tudor of Brewer, a Modern Woodmen district manager, recently earned the designation, Fraternal Insurance Counselor Fellow.

The FICF title is an educational designation that can be earned by career life insurance representatives associated with fraternal insurance societies. Representatives devote more than a year to meet the examination and career development criteria set by the Fraternal Field Managers Association to earn the fraternal insurance counselor designation, followed by advanced courses in estate planning, business insurance and financial products.

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance provider based in Illinois.

Old Town

Training certification

Weldon Young of Carquest Old Town has received the designation of Carquest PBE Professional from Carquest Auto Parts headquarters in Raleigh, N.C.

“By completing training in the Carquest program, Weldon has proven that he is among the most knowledgeable professionals in the auto parts industry,” said Bill Noyes, manager of Carquest Old Town.

Young has worked in the automotive market for more than four years. He joined Carquest Old Town in 1998.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin