See all the videos, produced by Sutherland-Weston Marketing Communications, by clicking here. 

Norbert X. Dowd Award – Andrew Hamilton

Andrew Hamilton is well known and respected in the community for his extensive volunteer work and passion for the Bangor region.  Hamilton has held leadership positions with many organizations including the United Way of Eastern Maine, John Bapst Memorial High School, Katahdin Area Boy Scouts and Unity College.   He also Chaired the Chamber’s Board of Directors from 2013-2014.

When he is not busy volunteering, he is practicing law with Eaton Peabody Attorneys at Law. He has served more than 25 years as general counsel and concentrates his practice on environmental compliance counseling and representing clients in proceedings under state and federal environmental laws.

Andy grew up in Caribou, Maine and then wandered into Connecticut where he earned a degree from Wesleyan University.  He then made his way to Portland where he met an outstanding woman whom he married and earned a J.D. from the University of Maine Law School.  Andrew and Patty’s daughter, Katie, is a teacher.  They live in the Fairmount neighborhood in Bangor.

Business of the Year: Darling’s Auto Group

As one of Maine’s largest auto dealers, Darling’s Auto is a model of customer and community service in our region. They make a conscious effort to use their business to be able to give back, both as a company and through each and every one of their employees.

From humble beginnings selling cars, trucks and bicycles in 1903 to one of the largest dealership groups in Maine. Darling’s has grown from one brand in one location to 14 brands offered at six locations around the state including three in Bangor. Darling’s family is now in its fifth generation with a continued focus to meet the automotive needs of its customers and giving back to the community.

Catherine Lebowitz Award for Public Service: D’arcy Main-Boyington

As the director of economic development for the City of Brewer, Main-Boyington has the job of putting Brewer on the map and has been a tireless community advocate for the less fortunate in the greater Bangor region.  Whether it be her board participation with the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter or her dedication to creating a local food hub, her goal is always to better the community through her altruistic efforts.

Main-Boyington joined the City of Brewer in 2004 as deputy director of economic development.  Prior to that, she was a business development specialist for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

M. Jane Irving Community Service Award: Eastern Maine Community College

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Eastern Maine Community College has made a notable difference in the lives of people in the region, and helped others by enhancing community assets.

EMCC is a two-year college specializing in technical, career,and transfer education. The college currently offers over 30 programs and has extensions in Dover-Foxcroft, East Millinocket, and Ellsworth. EMCC has recently expanded its public safety programs with the addition of its new Public Safety Training Center in Bangor.

From the support offered to hundreds of dislocated workers through their expansion of their public safety programs, EMCC is investing in the community and bettering lives by doing so.

Non-Profit of the Year: 
Greater Bangor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitor Bureau has been involved in every single effort that has been made to attract visitors to the Bangor region and enhance their experience once they have arrived.

Some great examples of the exemplary work of the GBCVB include: The Annual Waterfront Car Show, The Annual Beer Fest, continued support of our American Folk Festival, and the Fireball Run, just to name a few.

The deep relationship that the GBCVB has created with our community enhances each experience our visitors have. The city has become a destination instead of a “gateway.”

Arthur Comstock Professional Service Award: Ric Tyler

In addition to the countless hours he has volunteered as emcee for the Chamber and multiple community causes and groups, Tyler is a well known radio personality, fitness instructor, creative video and audio campaign producer at Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications and co-chair of the 2016 United Way campaign.

Tyler has demonstrated a strong sense of professionalism and dedication to our community at large.  He not only serves as emcee for the Bangor Region Chamber’s annual awards dinner, he also puts in countless volunteer hours to make the videos meaningful, interesting and heartfelt. He and Adam Osborne were the brilliant minds behind the “We are Bangor” video that garnered national attention.

Bion and Dorain Foster Entrepreneurship Award: Husson University

Since 1898, Husson has been educating Maine’s leaders. Originally preparing students for commerce, teaching and telegraphy.  In 1953, the State enacted legislation authorizing Husson to grant Bachelor of Science degrees.

Husson has responded to the needs of Maine employers by providing MBA program concentrations in risk management, biotechnology and innovation, as well as certificates in accounting, business administration, counterterrorism and security, entrepreneurship, legal studies, sales and small  business management. They have a goal to construct a new state-of-the-art building for an innovative College of Business. This addition will serve as a hub for entrepreneurial relationships between students and businesses and represent an infusion of capital into the local community.