AUGUSTA — The first new president of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce in 26 years told attendees of the chamber’s annual awards gala the region and their businesses will both be better off if they work together.
Ross Cunningham, who started on the job earlier this month, said the businesses recognized at the Friday awards dinner are great examples for other business owners to follow. They provide, he said, examples of how businesses can thrive as businesses while also making the larger community a better place to live for others. For the betterment of all.
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“We are here to make the Kennebec Valley a better place to live,” the Lisbon man and former Navy lieutenant commander said at the Augusta Civic Center event. “We can do this most effectively through two simple actions. Work together. And spread the word.
“Winston Churchill said ‘We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.’ We have unlimited resources right here in this room and I look forward to partnering with each of you to grow our chamber, our region and your business.”
He congratulated the award-winning businesses and their owners, noting “You have worked extremely hard to make a difference in our communities and we at the chamber are forever in your debt.”
Kim Vandermeulen, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, and others thanked outgoing president Peter Thompson, who has already stepped down as president but will continue to work for the chamber as an advisor until Feb. 26, for his leadership of the chamber for the last two-and-a-half decades. He also praised the award-winners.
“What we’re really celebrating is what is right in the world,” Vandermeulen said. “And the award winners here tonight are examples of what is right in the Kennebec Valley.”
Thompson said the 38th annual awards are “a tradition of recognizing outstanding businesses and community leaders. People who excel in what they do, and in so doing help to make our region and economy better for all of us.”
Award-winning businesses recognized Friday included Gardiner Main Street, Community Service Award; Gary Peachey of Peachey Builders in Augusta, Business Person of the Year; Augusta accounting firm Macpage, Business of the Year; Kennebec and Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney, Young Professional of the Year; Winthrop former state legislator Pat Flood and University of Maine at Augusta, winners of two Special Service Awards; and Bangor Savings Bank, Nancy Marshall Communications, and Harvest Time Natural Foods, all of Augusta, winners of three President’s Awards.
Peachey said he was humbled to receive the Business Person of the Year award. He said it was emotional for him because the business, Peachey Builders, was built by his own family. He credited his father Sidney and uncle Victor for showing him the ropes of the family business, established by his grandfather George in 1947.
Vandermeulen will serve a second year as chairman of the chamber, a post Thompson said is typically only held for one year, to help with the transition to the chambers first new president in 26 years.
“We’re very grateful of Kim for agreeing to serve on the board during this year of transition,” Thompson said.
United States Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District, attended part of the event, meeting and greeting attendees as they passed through the lobby.
Attendees dined on cheese, salads, tiramisu, meats and other items, and drank beverages from bars at both ends of the Civic Center auditorium, which was filled with formally set tables for the event.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @kedwardskj
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