Financial designation

BANGOR – Bangor Savings Bank has announced that Mark P. Bernier of Brewer, portfolio manager for the Trust and Investment Services Group, Bangor office, has received the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the Association for Investment Management and Research.

Bernier began his career as an investment assistant and later assumed the role of investment analyst for the trust and investments department. He is a graduate of the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in finance. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Maine Security Analysts Society.

The CFA charter is a globally recognized credential for investment analysis and management. The CFA Program sets a recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of financial analysts, portfolio managers and investment advisors.

Since the inception of the CFA program 44 years ago, pass rates at each of the three exam levels have averaged 52 percent. Because of the rigor of the program, only about one in five candidates who enter the program pass all three exams and successfully complete all requirements to earn the charter.

Business plan workshop

BANGOR – The Penobscot County Extension will offer a workshop, “Developing a Business Plan,” 6-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at 307 Maine Ave. Snow date is Tuesday, Jan. 30.

The workshop is designed to help small and home-based business owners better understand the business planning process in order to develop a sound business plan. Workshop participants will learn the importance of developing a business plan, the components of a business plan and review a sample business plan.

The fee for the workshop is $5. To register, call 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485.

Cadastral mapping designation

OLD TOWN – Aaron Weston, cadastral mapping supervisor for the James W. Sewall Co. in Old Town, recently was awarded the Cadastral Mapping Specialist designation by the International Association of Assessing Officers.

The mission of the IAAO is to promote innovation and excellence in property appraisal, property tax policy and administration through professional development, education, research and technical assistance.

The IAAO consists of 7,500 members throughout the United States and abroad and was founded in 1934. The fair and equitable assessment of property for tax purposes requires a high level of mass appraisal skills to determine estimates of value, as well as single-property appraisal skills for defending assessments before tribunals and reviewing authorities.

The IAAO developed and instituted a program of professional designations to increase the professional competence of assessment personnel through education. The purpose of the CMS designation is to recognize professionalism and competency in cadastral mapping techniques and support proper valuation for tax purposes, property tax administration, and property tax policy.

To achieve the CMS designation, Weston was required to complete three core courses: Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal, Principles and Techniques of Cadastral Mapping, Advanced Mapping and a Standards Supplement.

Weston also completed an intensive eight-hour case problem examination and a four-hour master examination.

Appreciation Days benefit

BREWER and OLD TOWN – Aubuchon Hardware stores in Brewer and Old Town will hold their sixth Customer Appreciation Days on Saturday, Jan. 27, with local charities benefiting.

As in years past, Aubuchon will offer special discounts in every area of the store on some of its most popular items. Each store donates a portion of the day’s sales receipts to charity.

In Brewer, monies raised will be given to the Brewer High School Key Club.

In Old Town, funds will go to the Old Town Little League.

Celebrated at each of its 144 stores across New York and New England, Aubuchon officials said they see this day as an opportunity to give something back to the local communities they stores serve.

William Aubuchon III, the company’s CEO, stated that the company has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for local charities as a result of stores’ sales from the first five Customer Appreciation Days, and he expects this one to be a rousing success as well.

UM print, mail director

ORONO – Tammy Young of Hampden has been named director of UMaine’s Printing and Mailing Services after more than a year serving as acting director.

Young oversees the university’s mail service and commercial printing operation, which produces everything from color postcards and posters to paperbound books and full-color brochures and magazines. The mail service moves more than 2 million pieces of mail per year, including United States mail and interdepartmental communications.

A Brewer native, Young joined the university as a printing and mailing administrative assistant in October 2000. She succeeds Arthur Larsen, who retired in 2005.

Bank helping neighbors

BANGOR – Bangor Savings Bank Senior Vice President Yellow Light Breen, representing the bank’s 600 employees, delivered a check for $5,000 for the Good Neighbor Fund, a Penquis CAP program for fuel assistance, to local radio talk show hosts Mike and Mike, who broadcast from atop the bank’s roof as part of the effort to raise money for the fund. The contribution signifies the bank’s commitment to helping keep Mainers warm this winter. The bank matched $2 for every $1 the community donated, bringing the total contribution to just over $8,300.