Energy-Air Service Task Force

BANGOR – Rebecca Hupp, director of Bangor International Airport has been named to the American Association of Airport Executives Energy-Air Service Task Force, which will hold its inaugural meeting July 9, in Washington, D.C.

The association created the task force to explore approaches that airports can take to address the rapidly changing air-service landscape that is occurring because of dramatically higher fuel prices. The task force will work to develop industry consensus recommendations for a national energy policy and a potential national air service policy. More than 70 airport executives representing airports of all sizes from all parts of the country are involved with the task force.

“As fuel prices rise, the aviation industry is undergoing dramatic changes that greatly impact airport operations and communities nationwide,” association President Chip Barclay said. “By pulling together airport industry leaders from across the country to participate with this important task force, we intend to shine a light on the magnitude of the challenges and develop policy recommendations that will help airports and the aviation industry weather those challenges.”

Hupp said, “Convenient and affordable air service from Bangor is vital to our region. The dramatic increases in the price of jet fuel will present a significant challenge to our community in growing and maintaining service.”

In addition to establishing the task force, the association, supported by 11 co-sponsoring organizations, will hold a one-day Energy-Air Service Summit on July 10 in Washington, D.C., to focus attention on these issues. DOT Secretary Mary Peters, U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, energy experts, and a broad array of aviation industry and government officials are expected to participate in the summit.

Marketing affiliate

BANGOR – Packard Judd Kaye Strategic Marketing Group announced the addition of a new affiliate, Catharine Hartnett, public relations and media relations expert.

Hartnett spent 18 years as corporate spokeswoman and media relations manager for several Maine organizations, including L.L. Bean and UnumProvident. Drawing on her experience, she focuses on promoting and managing an organization’s public reputation through the media with an emphasis on building reliable and productive media relationships.

Hartnett provides communications support on a consulting basis, helping clients develop and implement communications strategies, examine crisis response plans and develop community relations and contributions programs.

Hartnett has worked with nearly every national media outlet and program including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, Fortune, Business Week, The Economist, “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “20-20,” “60 Minutes,” Reuters and The Associated Press.

Hartnett holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire.

For information visit www.packardjudd.com/affiliates.

Business service coordinator

BANGOR – Oxford Networks recently hired Jackie Birch as business service coordinator to be part of the business service team in Bangor.

Birch is the first point of contact for business customers, providing them with personalized service. She is responsible for ongoing account review and maintenance of customer accounts, as well as arranging customer visits.

Birch comes to Oxford Networks with experience as a business account specialist at Mid-Maine Communications and Verizon service coordinator at Signet Communications.

Birch holds telecommunications certification from Somerset County Technical Institute in Bridgewater, N.J., and several certifications in various telecommunications equipment and services.

Originally from New Jersey, Birch has resided in Maine for 12 years. She lives in Holden with her husband, Jeff, son Joshua and stepsons Ethyn and Austyn. In her time off, Birch enjoys camping, traveling and spending as much time as possible with her family.

Doggie debutante ball

BANGOR – A local business has scheduled a different kind of event to raise funds for the nonprofit Dreams for Maine Kids organization.

Aussie’s Debutante Tux and Tailless Ball will welcome the puppies of Australian shepherds Roadster and Tripp to the Bangor community 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Carden’s Country Club for Pets on Ohio Street.

According to organizer Clara Gardner, Tripp and Roadster will use the event as a “coming out” party.

“So here we are planning a Tux [well-dressed dogs] and Tailless [Australian Shepherds don’t have tails] party,” Gardner said. In order to make the evening even more meaningful, she said, proceeds will benefit Dreams for Maine Children. Tickets are $25 each.

Dreams for Maine Kids is a tax-exempt organization based in Bangor that provides a dream wish to Maine children who have life-threatening illnesses.

Some of the dream wishes the organization has provided include a Florida vacation complete with a stay at Give Kids the World, a chance to meet Rosie O’Donnell in New York City, and a trip to swim with dolphins in California.

For information about the event or to RSVP, call 942-2161.

Award-winning ale

BANGOR – Sea Dog Brewing Co.’s Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale received a gold medal at the San Diego County Fair’s Commercial Beer Competition. Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter took home a bronze award.

The results of the competition are available at www.sdfair.com/fair/pdf/08craftbrewresults.pdf.

Last year, silver medals were awarded to both Sea Dog Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter and Sea Dog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale at the competition.

In May, Sea Dog Bluepaw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale took home second place in the Fruit Beer category at the prestigious West Coast Brew Fest’s Commercial Craft Competition in Sacramento, Calif.

Master brewer Alan Pugsley oversees the brewing for Sea Dog. Sea Dog beer is available in more than 35 states.

For information, visit www.seadogbrewing.com.

Field service technicians

BANGOR – Oxford Networks recently hired Buddwood Shain and Ryan Paradis as field service technicians. Their responsibilities include installation and repair of the fiber to the premise network for Oxford Networks business customers in Bangor and Brewer.

Buddwood Shain comes to Oxford Networks with experience as an I and R technician, splicer and field engineer at Mid-Maine Communications. He is a graduate of East Grand High School in Danforth. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, age 21/2 years and 8 months.

Ryan Paradis, who also has a background in field services, most recently was employed as a customer engineer at National Cash Register. He holds an associate’s degree in computer electronics from Northern Maine Community College.

For information, visit www.oxfordnetworks.com.

Senior account manager

BANGOR – Creative Office Pavilion has announced that George Murray of Augusta recently joined its team as senior account manager.

Murray has been in the contract office furnishings industry and with Transco Office Solutions for more than 22 years. He will be the account manager for the Augusta area and the area north of Augusta, including Bangor.