A diverse group of companies was honored Monday at the Maine Family Business Awards gala. Presented by the Institute for Family-Owned Business, a nonprofit organization that supports family-owned businesses, the awards recognize Maine companies that demonstrate excellence in family involvement, business success and commitment to employees, customers and community.

An independent panel of judges, facilitated by Colleen McCracken of Planet Dog, selected the winners from among 32 finalists, the most ever for the awards program, now in its 16th year:

TideSmart Global, an experiential marketing company based in Falmouth, received the inaugural Green Environment Award for its commitment to sustainability. In addition to embracing solar power, offering open-access charging stations for electric cars and a wide array of perks for its employees, TideSmart recently built Maine’s first net-positive building, meaning it generates more energy than it uses.

 DeLorme of Yarmouth won the People’s United Bank Innovation and Technology Award in acknowledgment of the company’s leadership in navigation technology. The company’s inReach satellite communications device is credited with saving many lives since its launch in 2011.

 Lucy’s Granola of Blue Hill received the First Generation Award, which recognizes an exceptional company that has not yet transitioned from one generation to the next. Founder Lucy Benjamin started selling her product at local festivals and farmers’ markets, and it is now on shelves nationwide.

Volk Packaging Corp. of Biddeford was the judges’ unanimous choice for the Wolak Group Customer Service Award, exemplifying what it means to go above and beyond expectations.

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 Suger, a Biddeford fashion boutique and home of Angelrox designs, received the Shep Lee Award for Community Service. Founder and designer Roxi Suger and her husband and business partner, Julian Schlaver, have made numerous contributions to the city of Biddeford since relocating their business from Brooklyn, New York, in 2013.

 Kingsley Pines, a summer camp based in Raymond, was honored with the Maddy Corson Small Business Award, recognizing an exceptional company with fewer than 25 employees. For more than 30 years, the camp has provided memorable camp experiences to of children from across the U.S. and around the world.

 Renys, based in Newcastle, won the Large Business Award, which honors an outstanding company with more than 25 employees. The iconic retailer, known by many as “Maine’s department store,” started out of the back of founder R.H. Reny’s Hudson in 1949, and now has 16 locations and more than 500 employees across the state.

Bangor-based Cross Insurance received an honorable mention in the large business category for its growth into the largest insurance agency in New England, employing more than 750 people.


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