Business news

Communications agency

PORTLAND – John Ripley, a former top aide to then-U.S. Rep. John Baldacci and Gov. Angus King, has formed Trident Communications.

The Portland-based consulting firm will focus on all areas of public relations, as well as marketing and government relations.

Ripley, a former Bangor resident, served as deputy field representative and deputy press secretary under the congressman, and as director of communications for King.

In addition to his government tenure, Ripley worked for eight years as an award-winning reporter for the Bangor Daily News. He also has served as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he has been awarded four Navy Achievement Medals for public affairs excellence. He also worked as a marketing and public relations manager at a local advertising agency.

Ripley can be reached at 317-0131 or trident@maine.rr.com

Manager certification

CARMEL – Town Manager James Collins was granted certification recently by the Maine Town and City Management Association, the state professional affiliate group for municipal managers.

Certification is for three years and comes as a result of Collins’ commitment of at least 240 hours over the past three years. He studied development of general administrative or management skills, including tax collection, economic development and road management. He also studied professional association, intergovernmental services and participation.

New franchise

BANGOR – Craig Howard opened a Kitchen Tune-Up franchise in Bangor on July 28. Howard recently completed training with the company, which offers home and business improvement services. He attended an intensive eight-day training session at Kitchen Tune-Up’s corporate headquarters in Aberdeen, S.D.

For more information, call Howard at 848-9800, or visit www.kitchentuneup.com.