Chamber to honor BDN publisher, wife Couple have had ‘profound positive effect’

When the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce convenes tonight for its 95th annual dinner, it will honor members of a Bangor family that has operated a major business in the city for 110 years.

Richard J. Warren and his wife, Elizabeth, will receive the Norbert X. Dowd award for community service and the advancement of business.

Rick Warren is the fourth generation publisher of the Bangor Daily News.

The chamber program for the dinner states that “together and individually, the Warrens’ contributions have been immense to the civic, business and cultural institutions of the Greater Bangor region, and the impact and influence of their philosophy of philanthropy and personal investment continues to have a profound positive effect on the lives of people throughout Maine.”

Editor and publisher of the newspaper for the past 20 years, Rick Warren’s contributions have covered a range of important public and societal issues, including education, the environment, the arts and health care.

Rick and Beth Warren both have been members of the board of Eastern Maine Medical Center and Beth Warren has been a member of the board at Acadia Hospital. She also has been active with the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, Meals for ME, the Maine Center for the Arts and Bangor Theological Seminary, among other local institutions.

Under Rick Warren’s leadership, the Bangor Daily News has been publicly praised by organizers of the National Folk Festival for the paper’s contributions to the festival’s successful three-year run and continuation as the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront.

Rick Warren received the highest award for public service conferred in 2004 by the Maine Children’s Alliance. The Warrens are actively involved in the Warren Center for Communication and Learning.

Rick Warren recently was named chairman of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, which reflects his longtime passion for salmon fishing. Among other interests, he also has been involved with the Forestry Society of Maine, the Land for Maine’s Future Board and as chairman of the Penobscot River Restoration Project.

When the Bangor Daily News is honored, Warren typically gives the credit to its 300 employees.

Tom Palmer, general manager of the Best Western Black Bear Inn in Orono and organizer of the annual dinner, said the Warrens were an easy choice for the selection committee. His only concern, he said, was that the Warrens take such a behind-the-scenes approach to philanthropy that they might be reluctant to accept such a high-profile award.

Dr. Robert Clough, a heart surgeon and friend of the Warrens, said Rick Warren does not seek the limelight but is “extremely effective in getting things done.” Clough said Warren leads by example.

In responding to the award, Rick Warren said he was very proud of the community and wanted to help it grow and prosper in any way he could.

“In Maine, it’s easy to make a difference by the little things you do,” Beth Warren said.

Tonight the Warrens will be honored for making that difference.