Haut becomes new president, CEO of Acadia Trust

Mary Beth Haut has been named president and chief executive officer of Acadia Trust, N.A., Camden National Corp.’s wealth management subsidiary, according to a news release from Gregory A. Dufour, president and CEO of Camden National.

MARY BETH HAUT

BRIANNA SMITH

Sandra Dwight-Barris, owner of Grey Goose Gourmet, in Wayne, recently won first place for Best New Specialty Food Product at the 2016 New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show in Portland. Contributed photo

Haut will be based at Acadia Trust’s Portland offices, located at 5 Milk St., and will lead all of its investment and trust services throughout New England in Portland.

Haut joins Acadia Trust from Citizens Private Bank, the private banking division of Citizens Bank, where she was senior vice president and market executive for the state of Massachusetts. Before that, she was the senior vice president and division executive of the company’s wealth management arm. Her additional experience includes senior-level wealth management roles at FleetBoston and Bank Boston (now Bank of America).

A certified financial planner, Haut received her bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Waterville. She and her husband, Tom, have two children, Catherine and Thomas.

Midcoast Conservancy appoints Youth Conservation Corps leader

Brianna Smith has joined the Midcoast Conservancy staff as crew leader for the agency’s summer Youth Conservation Corps. She brings a wealth of experience and commitment to environmental issues to her work overseeing erosion mitigation projects on Damariscotta Lake, according to a news release from the agency.

Brianna is a native of Monmouth and a graduate of the University of Maine, in Orono, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in marine science. She is pursuing a second degree in civil engineering at UMaine, where, she says, “I plan to combine my background in water science with engineering to protect Maine’s natural legacy through improved drainage infrastructure. With proper drainage of paved areas, stream-road crossings and shorefront properties, water quality of our lakes and rivers can be protected. In addition, proper drainage can reduce the risk of floods and increase resiliency to environmental challenges like land development and climate change.”

Brianna’s background dovetails with the work of the Youth Conservation Corps Buffer Brigade of Midcoast Conservancy. The YCC crew spends the summer installing anti-erosion projects around the shores of Damariscotta Lake at the homes of residents who are committed to making their properties as lake-friendly as possible. Anyone interested in an evaluation of their property can contact Midcoast Conservancy’s Watershed Protection Specialist Garrison Beck at 389-5157 or garrison@midcoastconservancy.org.

Wayne business wins first place for new specialty product at food show

Grey Goose Gourmet, a small pepper jelly business in Wayne, recently won first place for the Best New Specialty Food Product at the 2016 New England Made Giftware & Specialty Food Show, according to a news release from the company.

Grey Goose Gourmet was one of many companies competing for the best food product and giftware awards at the Portland show in March. Store buyers from 20 states — including large retail businesses such as Williams Sonoma and L.L. Bean — judged the products.

“The judges were seasoned buyers who understand what will sell in their shops,” said Stefa Normantas, managing partner of New England Made Shows. “Sandra was competing against some well established specialty foods like Stonewall Kitchen, Haven’s Candies, Harbor Sweets and Raye’s Mustard. She definitely earned bragging rights and should go home very proud of herself.”

Sandra started her business two years ago when she began making pepper jelly from a family recipe. She now makes nine varieties and eight seasonal jellies that she sells at farmers markets, shows, festivals, stores and directly from her website and Wayne home.

Combined Benefits United appoints LaRochelle chief operating officer

Combined Benefits United announced Thursday that Raegan LaRochelle has been appointed chief operating officer for its Maine-based insurance marketing organization in Hallowell. LaRochelle previously worked in both the private and nonprofit sectors, most recently in consulting.

Effective immediately, LaRochelle assumes responsibility in contracting, new business, marketing and advisor related services. LaRochelle is responsible for the alignment and prioritization of company partnerships and ensuring operational excellence across the company.

A native of Augusta, LaRochelle graduated from Cony High School and Bowdoin College. After college, she moved to Philadelphia to work in a business incubator. There, she helped to develop a youth entrepreneurship program that taught high school students how to write business plans and manage micro-enterprises. This experience reinforced her belief that small business development is central to the overall prosperity of local economies. Later, she obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Yale University’s School of Management, with the goal of working with small businesses and companies.

LaRochelle also volunteers as chairwoman of the Augusta Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and she serves on the Kennebec Valley YMCA Board of Directors, the Augusta Board of Trade, and Augusta First. She also coaches her twin sons’ soccer and basketball teams.

Maine TV show looking for entrepreneur contestants

Greenlight Maine, the television series designed to promote the entrepreneurs of Maine, is accepting submissions for its second season, according to a news release from Con Fullam, the show’s creator.

The series, which airs statewide at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on WCSH and WLBZ, is about a competition that highlights two entrepreneurs presenting their “big idea” to a panel of experts who listen, weigh in and finally decide which contestant wins the night and moves on for a chance at winning $100,000 in cash.

Season 1, which is still airing, already has succeeded in securing $1,250,000 in angel investments for companies that have been discovered through the series. Information on how to submit a company for consideration can be found by visiting the Greenlight Maine Facebook page or by visiting the show’s website at www.greenlightmaine.com.

Hall-Dale, Cony to benefit from Olive Garden Spirit Night

Augusta’s Olive Garden restaurant, located at 205 Civic Center Drive, will donate proceeds from its sales Tuesday to Hall-Dale High School and from sales on April 19 to Cony High School, according to a news release from the company.

On selected dates in April, every Olive Garden restaurant nationwide is hosting a Spirit Night to support a local high school. From 4 to 10 p.m. on the chosen evenings, a portion of all in-restaurant sales will be donated to that school, up to $1,000 per restaurant. Guests are encouraged to wear the school colors and join in the celebration.

This initiative is in partnership with the NFHS Network, the nation’s leading high school sports media company, and is part of Olive Garden’s ongoing commitment to support its local communities.

Manchester business announces winners of stained glass contest

Stained Glass Express has announced the winners of its 24th Annual Just for Fun Glass Art Contest held in April as part of the company’s celebration of National Stained Glass Month, according to a news release from the company.

Prizes were awarded by popular vote to winners in each of three categories at Stained Glass Express’ special Invite Night event. Categories included Cold Glass (for stained glass pieces); Hot/Warm Glass (for lampworked and fused pieces); and Mosaics. The contest received nearly 90 entries this year from glass artists throughout Maine. First-place winners received a $100 gift certificate; second place, $75. All entries are on display at the Manchester location throughout April.

In the Cold Glass category, first place was awarded to Basil Cake, of Augusta, for his Tiffany-style stained glass “Laburnum” lamp. Second place was awarded to Diana Maddocks, of Warren, for her “Flowers & Dragonfly” open-worked stained glass piece.

Winners in the Hot/Warm glass category were Rachel Campbell, of Turner, for her fused and painted glass diorama “North New Portland Fire Truck,” in first place; second place went to Steve Sinclair, of Belgrade, for his tempered glass platter.

In the mosaics category, there was a tie for first place. Winners were Andrea Spaulding, of Waldoboro, for her Mirror Mosaic Guitar; and Brenda Jolin, of Waterville, for her iridescent “Flaming Phoenix” mosaic. Second place was awarded to Laura-Lee Clark, of Carmel, for her “Bald Eagle” sea glass mosaic.

Ameriprise confers elite status on Gilbert-Tondreau

Carol Gilbert-Tondreau has become an Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services advisor based on the success of her financial services practice in 2015.

Gilbert-Tondreau, with an office in Augusta, is among the 15 percent of the approximately 10,000 Ameriprise financial advisors to achieve this status.

Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services advisors are described as those who provide personalized client service and are dedicated to meeting their clients’ complex and unique financial needs. The status is achieved through exceptional performance, completion of specialized training and attainment of advanced industry recognized qualifications.

As an Ameriprise Platinum Financial Services advisor, Gilbert-Tondreau is focused on providing comprehensive financial advice and solutions for clients with high asset levels. She is knowledgeable on a variety of topics and strategies including retirement, tax and estate planning, insurance and asset management.

Her office is at 82 Winthrop St. in Augusta.

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