Business news

Fusion Leadership Awards

BANGOR – Fusion:Bangor, a network of young professionals dedicated to serving the community and creating its next generation of leaders, will honor three individuals with Fusion Leadership and Vision Awards at the group’s annual dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon.

Penobscot Theatre Producing Artistic Director Scott R.C. Levy will receive the Horizon Award, which recognizes an individual within the Fusion demographic who demonstrates a notable commitment to leadership and civic involvement in the Bangor region.

Bangor Daily News Executive Editor Mark Woodward will be recognized with the Fusion Partnership Award for promoting the common good of the Fusion demographic while demonstrating support of Fusion’s mission to strengthen the Bangor region.

WBRC Architects and Engineers CEO John Rohman, former mayor of Bangor and chairman of the Maine Arts Commission, will be presented the Fusion Leadership and Vision Award for championing initiatives that better our region and engaging in cross-generational support by encouraging young leaders.

The evening also will feature an electronic address by Gov. John Baldacci and a keynote address from former Gov. Angus King.

Tickets to Fusion:Bangor’s annual dinner at the Morgan Hill Event Center may still be purchased online at fusionbangor.com or by calling the Bangor Region Chamber at 947-0307. The cost to attend the dinner is $35, $250 for a table of eight.

Breakfast seminar

BANGOR – The Maine Real Estate and Development Association will host its Bangor-area breakfast seminar, “Re-Development of Industrial and Urban Properties: Creative Opportunities and Successful Strategies,” 7:30-9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Sea Dog Brewing Company, 26 Front St.

Maine’s changing economy has left a legacy of empty industrial mills, former service stations and vacant buildings in our city centers. That doesn’t mean these properties have to stay that way, officials said. Industrial mills can be reused, blighted properties can have new life, and city centers can be vibrant again.

A panel discussion will cover some of the successful strategies that have been used, citing examples from Bangor, Augusta and other locations in Maine. Members of the panel are Carol Epstein, a principal with Epstein Commercial Real Estate; Bob Kelly of House Revivers; and Noreen Norton, a consultant with Eaton Peabody Consulting Group.

The cost for the seminar is $20 for members, $25 after Oct. 30, and $25 for others, $30 after Oct. 30. RSVP on or before Oct. 30.

To register to attend the seminar, call the MEREDA office at 874-0801 or visit www.mereda.org.

Grant to law project

BANGOR – The Penquis CAP Law Project has received a $1,000 grant from the Verizon Wireless Grant Program for nonprofit organizations that work with domestic violence survivors.

Funding is a direct result of community members donating no longer used cell phones to HopeLine, a Verizon Wireless national initiative which encourages consumers to recycle wireless products. Cash grants are awarded through HopeLine.

Every Verizon Wireless communications store in the country accepts old phones regardless of condition, manufacturer or carrier. Batteries and chargers also are accepted.

Phones are refurbished and donated with 3,000 minutes of call time to domestic violence shelters, agencies and law enforcement groups for women in emergency situations.

“The HopeLine grant is tremendously important to our work,” said Tamar Mathieu, directing attorney for the Penquis CAP Law Project, which provides civil legal assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

“While the Law Project is able to provide representation at no cost, HopeLine funds are used to assist clients with other costs and fees associated with their case which they cannot otherwise afford,” Mathieu said. “I encourage anyone who has a cell phone they no longer use to donate it to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program. The funds generated are critical to the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims. It’s an easy way to make a big difference in someone’s life.”

As a result of HopeLine and related programs, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 2.5 million used wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and advocacy groups. Verizon Wireless employees volunteer their time to present Invest in Yourself workshops to assist women in shelters as they transition back into the workforce.

Any nonprofit organization in Maine that works with domestic violence survivors may apply for a $1,000 grant. Grants are awarded to support client services, raise public awareness about domestic violence or train staff and volunteers.

To request guidelines, send e-mail requests to Hopeline.NewEngland@verizonwireless.com or call (781) 932-1510.

TV station vice president

BANGOR – President and General Manager Steve Thaxton has named Mike Marshall a vice president of WLBZ 2 in Bangor and WCSH 6 in Portland. The announcement was made Sept. 12 at a station staff meeting. Marshal becomes the vice president of programming and marketing for both television stations.

Marshall also celebrated his 30th year with WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2. Over the years, he has worked as a production assistant, director of newscasts, commercials and other local programming. He also has held various leadership positions, including production manager and operations manager.

In 2002 Marshall completed the yearlong Leadership Maine program in the Iota class of the Maine Development Foundation. He is a 1976 graduate of the University of Maine earning a degree in speech with a concentration in broadcasting.