Forest Products Society Engineering Research Award

ORONO – Douglas Gardner of Brewer, University of Maine professor of wood science and technology and a member of the UMaine Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center’s research team, has been named a co-recipient of the 2008 Forest Products Society L.J. Markwardt Wood Engineering Research Award.

He received the award for the paper “Evaluation of Load Transfer in the Cellulosic-Fiber/Polymer Interphase Using a Micro-Raman Tensile Test.” The paper was included in the January 2007 issue of Wood and Fiber Science published by the Society of Wood Science and Technology.

The award was presented recently at the Forest Products Society 62nd International Convention in St. Louis.

Co-authors of the article include William Tze, former UM grad student currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota; Shane O’Neill, former AEWC Center staff member; Carl Tripp, UM chemistry professor; and Stephen Shaler, associate director of the Wood Composite Center.

The L.J. Markwardt Wood Engineering Award is intended to encourage research and promote knowledge of wood in the engineering field as a means of enhancing the efficient utilization of wood. The award is presented annually to the author or authors of a technical paper that is judged to be the most outstanding research paper in the field of wood as an engineering material.

The Maine Highlands

The Maine Highlands announced its newly elected slate of officers and board of directors for 2008-2009:

. Chairman of the board, Bob Hamer, executive director of the Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce.

. First vice chairwoman, Kelly Cotiaux, Sephone Internet Solutions.

. Secretary, Jane Briggs, executive director of Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce.

. Treasurer, Kerrie Tripp, executive director of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau.

. Additional board members: Russ Page, executive director of the Southern Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce; Cheri Archer, executive director of the Lincoln Lakes Chamber of Commerce; Deborah Grass, member of the board of directors of the Katahdin Chamber of Commerce; Terry and Jeff Johannemann, The Greenville Inn in Greenville; Mike Dugas, J.W. Parks Golf Course; Risteen Masters, Bangor International Airport; and Donna Fichtner, Tourism Economic Development and The Maine Tourism Commission.

“The Maine Highlands is looking forward to a prosperous up-coming year. We planned new and exciting projects that will have a definite impact on tourism in our area.” said Bob Hamer, executive director for the Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce. “We are planning a major update for the regional marketing materials, from updating our tradeshow booths to recreating our Web site to make it more visitor-oriented.”

The Maine Highlands is a nonprofit organization, which exists to advance the economic well-being of the region covering areas represented by its business membership organizations.

For more information, call 800-91-MOOSE or visit www.themainehighlands.com.

Call center news

BANGOR – FairPoint Communications has announced that it has added 38 jobs to its local consumer customer call center and finance department in Bangor.

It includes 30 newly hired customer service representatives who are in a training program and will begin their new positions at the end of July. They are located at FairPoint’s customer call center at 59 Park St.

Last year, a Verizon directory assistance call center in Bangor was targeted to close and FairPoint agreed to offer positions to the employees as part of its acquisition of Verizon’s landline business in northern New England. With the recent new hires, FairPoint has added approximately 63 positions in Bangor since it took over.

FairPoint also reported it has added approximately 57 new jobs in Portland at its consumer and small business customer call center there.

“We’re pleased to be able to create these jobs and provide employment opportunities to the people in these job markets,” said Gene Johnson, chief executive officer of FairPoint. “This is an exciting time for FairPoint and we welcome the new employees to the company. These new associates will play a key role in developing positive customer relationships in the region.” These positions will be union-represented jobs.

Last year FairPoint announced its intent to create some 280 new positions in Maine – 125 in Portland, 125 new jobs based in Bangor, with the remainder in other communities.

During last week’s news conference, FairPoint reported it has already met its original hiring goal in Maine and now has plans to hire more people. The company said the total number will actually climb to some 400 new positions when it completes its hiring plan to fill all its open positions in Maine. While many positions already have been filled, the hiring process will continue through the second half of this year.

“Today’s announcement of 120 new jobs in Bangor and Portland is good news for Maine,” said Baldacci. “These new customer service positions offer competitive wages, good benefits and training opportunities. This is just one of the investments FairPoint has committed to in the state, and we are pleased to have them as a partner.”

Johnson stated, “The significant number of new jobs we are creating in Maine will have a substantial impact on our ability to serve the customer base in northern New England. It will also have a positive impact on the overall economic vitality of the markets where these jobs are located.”

FairPoint Communications Inc. is a provider of communications services to communities across the country. FairPoint owns and operates 32 local exchange companies in 18 states offering advanced communications with a personal touch including local and long distance voice, data, Internet, television and broadband services. FairPoint is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FRP. Learn more at www.FairPoint.com.

A helping hand

OLD TOWN – Allstate agent Mark Farnham presented Bangor American Red Cross with a $500 grant as part of the Allstate Foundation’s “Agency Hands in the Community” program.

The program, which began in 2003, recognizes Allstate agents’ volunteerism within the community and provides financial support to organizations through the Allstate Foundation.

Every Allstate agent who volunteers for a charitable organization in his or her community may qualify for this award.

“The very fabric of Allstate consists of people who care about their local community,” said Stephanie Demchik-Pascual, Northeast region director for the Allstate Foundation. “The Agency Hands in the Community program is a powerful way for Allstate to get involved with their local nonprofits and partner with them in making their communities stronger and safer places.”

Allstate “parents” who are honored with an Agency Hands in the Community award serve nonprofit groups in many capacities – as volunteers, mentors, program partners and leaders. Organizations must qualify for tax-deductible contributions under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Established in 1952, the Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of the Allstate Corp.

The Allstate Foundation partners with non-profit organizations on community initiatives that promote safe and vital communities, tolerance, inclusion, and diversity and economic empowerment. Teen driving and empowering victims of domestic violence have been priorities for the foundation since 2005.

Promotions

BANGOR – U.S. Cellular recently promoted Sean Griffith of Winslow to store manager and Stephanie Dow of Hampden to sales manager in the Bangor market.

In his position, Griffith is responsible for leadership and management of the Bangor and Ellsworth retail store locations. The store manager’s responsibilities are to lead the store associates to deliver the best customer satisfaction.

As sales manager, Dow directs daily activities for store associates in the company’s Ellsworth retail location. Her responsibilities include growing revenue and driving standards of excellence.

“At U.S. Cellular, great leadership is the first step on the path to success,” said Eric Conlon, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England. “And at the end of the day, both Sean and Stephanie will help us provide an outstanding experience for our customers when they visit one of our stores in the Bangor area.”

Griffith started his career with U.S. Cellular in 1999. Most recently, he served as U.S. Cellular’s store manager, where he was responsible for locations throughout central Maine. Griffith received a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University.

Dow started her career with U.S. Cellular in 2002. Most recently, she served as U.S. Cellular’s retail wireless consultant, where she was responsible for providing customer service.

Before coming to work at U.S. Cellular, Dow held several positions as a customer service associate. She received an associate degree in business management with a concentration in office administration from Eastern Maine Community College.

Pet care certification

BANGOR – Carolyn Millar and Denys Millar, owners of Carden’s Country Club For Pets for 35 years, and Clara Gardner manager, since May 2006, achieved certification through the Pet Care Services Association.

Carolyn Millar is the Region I director of association, which covers Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and Eastern Canada.

In order to receive certification from the association, a pet care technician must pass a comprehensive exam which covers breed recognition, small animal anatomy and physiology, boarding care, emergency care and first aid, geriatric and degenerative disease care, contagious disease, parasites, zoonotic diseases, pesticides, customer relations, principles of management, staff supervision and business and personal development.

Carolyn and Denys Millar are working toward Certified Kennel Operator status. To achieve that level individuals must have owned or operated a pet care facility for at least three years and must pass more written and oral comprehensive exams. They will complete the requirements in October at the association national convention in Pittsburgh.