Yellow Light Breen, a senior vice president at Bangor Savings Bank, was given the inaugural Realize!Maine Champion Award at the Oct. 5 annual meeting of the Maine Development Foundation in Lewiston. Breen was recognized for his outstanding commitment to creating opportunities for young people to live and work in Maine, according to the foundation’s CEO, Laurie Lachance. She cited Breen’s efforts over the past several years on an initiative that aims to attract young professionals to live, work and prosper in the state rather than leaving Maine for career purposes. After presenting Breen the award, Lachance surprised him and the audience by announcing the award itself would be named in his honor. “Yellow has led this effort from the beginning with tenacity, passion and vision,” she said. “Because of his unparalleled efforts, we have decided to name an award for him – to be given in future years.” Breen was raised in St. Albans and now lives with his wife and three children in Holden. He attended Nokomis Regional High School and then went on to Harvard University, where he received an undergraduate degree in government and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Carolyn Mitchell of Camden has joined the Allen Agency. She works as a personal lines rater in the insurance company’s Camden office. Mitchell, a Camden native who attended the University of Maine in Orono, has more than 15 years of experience in the local insurance business, including three years with the Allen Agency. She took three years off to stay at home with her two daughters before returning to work. In her new position, she works with all three of the Allen Agency offices – Camden, Rockland and Thomaston – to assist with customer service needs.