Eimskip head to speak at business convention

Richard d’Abo, chairman of the Board of Eimskip, the Icelandic shipping company that in 2013 decided to make Portland its U.S. port of call, will deliver the keynote address at the 2016 Mainebiz Momentum Convention on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Augusta Civic Center.

d’Abo has served as chairman of the board of directors of Eimskipafelag Islands hf (Eimskip) since April 3, 2013. He also sits on the company’s remuneration committee. d’Abo joined the board as a member on Sept. 23, 2009.

In addition to the annually anticipated keynote address, Mainebiz Momentum Convention attendees will experience a day full of learning at Mainebiz U, have access to more than 100 business-to-business exhibitors and the opportunity to network with more than 1,500 peers. The annual event provides access to decision-makers, facilitates business development opportunities, and examines relevant strategies needed to overcome challenges and achieve business goals. The Momentum Convention’s Pavilion also features tastes of Maine, with complimentary samples from more than 15 food and beverage purveyors.

For more information, visit www.Mainebiz.biz/momentumconvention.

Gardiner CPA named principal at Ouellette & Associates

The principals of Ouellette & Associates, P.A. are pleased to announce the admittance of Michael R. Dunn, CPA as a principal in the firm.

Dunn joined Ouellette & Associates as a director in 2012 and has nearly 25 years of experience in public accounting. He has been working with small to mid-size business and individuals throughout Maine and New Hampshire providing tax, accounting and business consulting services. Dunn’s practice also includes and specializes in audits of nonprofit organizations, quasi-governmental entities, low-income housing and credit unions. Mike also serves on the firm’s quality control committee.

He graduated from Thomas College in 1992 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting information systems. He became a certified public accountant in 1997 and is also a member of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Residing in Gardiner with his wife Heather and their two children, Mike has been an active supporter in the area’s youth athletics. He served as president of Gardiner Youth Basketball and has been a supporter of Thomas College field hockey, Gardiner field hockey and Gardiner High School basketball. He has also served on the boards of Gardiner Rotary and Gardiner Federal Credit Union.

Ouellette & Associates, P.A. is a certified public accounting firm offering a full range of accounting, auditing, tax and other financial and consulting services throughout the New England Area. The firm has offices located at 1111 Lisbon St. in Lewiston and 192 Water St. in Gardiner.

UMaine Extension welcomes new food scientist

ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension recently welcomed Robson Machado to the position of assistant Extension professor and food scientist. Machado specializes in food safety that involves local meats, poultry, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

Machado, who began his role Aug. 8, completed his doctorate at Pennsylvania State University with research that addressed food safety practices for rural cheesemakers. His specialty is microbiology with an emphasis in food safety and sanitation, in addition to development and delivery of food-related training opportunities.

The new food science position is funded by the university via the Maine Economic Improvement Fund. MEIF was established by the Maine Legislature to support economic development in seven targeted sectors, including forest products and agriculture. MEIF represents Maine’s ongoing commitment between the state and public universities working together to advance research and economic development for the benefit of all Maine residents.

Machado will have statewide responsibilities in helping Maine farmers and food entrepreneurs develop safe foods, while assisting processors to address changing regulations when commercializing local food and beverage products.

He is based at the University of Maine in Orono where he joins Extension food scientists Beth Calder and Jason Bolton.

For more information about Extension’s resources for small-food businesses in Maine, call 581-3188.

Auburn real estate company adds residential agent

Fontaine Family – The Real Estate Leader is pleased to announce the addition of Melissa Greenwood to our team in our Auburn location. Greenwood works with both buyers and sellers of residential real estate.

Greenwood grew up in Sabattus and went to Oak Hill High School. She studied at Wheaton College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. Melissa spent 13 years working in sales, finance, and sales management mostly in the auto industry.

She now lives in Lewiston and is the proud single mother of two boys.

Health care agency staff contributes to Family Violence Project

Care & Comfort and their Waterville-based corporate administrative staff presented the Family Violence Project a Jeans Fund grant in the amount of $2,240 to aid their mission of providing support and advocacy to persons affected by family violence.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals, groups and agencies such as Care & Comfort, the Family Violence Project provides many needed and vital services. These include a helpline, advocacy work, support groups, shelter and supportive housing, prevention and training programs, children’s work, and Menswork, a program that works directly with abusers who want to change their behavior.

Mike Stair, Care & Comfort’s COO, said, “We are fortunate to have the Family Violence Project as a resource in our area to provide assistance and education. … We’re very pleased that the staff chose to contribute their Jeans Fund donations, which along with the agency’s matching funds we hope will make a difference in combating domestic violence across our region.”

This gift was made possible through the Jeans Fund, an ongoing collaborative fundraising effort between Care & Comfort and its employees. Every Friday is Jean Day, and staff may leave their usual work attire at home and wear jeans for a donation. The company then matches every dollar raised, and the employees of each branch select their local beneficiary semi-annually.

Care & Comfort was established in 1991 and is one of Maine’s largest behavioral healthcare and home healthcare agencies providing services for individuals, families, and groups throughout 12 Maine counties. For information about services provided in the Central Maine area, visit www.careandcomfort.com or call (207) 872-5300.

Monett Wilson named KVCC head of finance and administration

Monett Wilson, fiscal officer for the Maine Community College System, will be Kennebec Valley Community College’s new dean of finance and administration beginning Wednesday.

As MCCS’s fiscal officer, Wilson oversaw large scale investment in IT infrastructure and programs across Maine’s seven community colleges, including KVCC, according to a news release from the college. Her role has included working with each MCCS college on budget management, audit preparation, and interpretation of federal regulations, as well as providing oversight and financial analysis.

“Monett brings a broad set of skills in finance, human resources, administration, and project management to KVCC and to the KVCC Foundation,” said President Richard Hopper in the release.

Wilson worked 18 years as an accountant and controller at Kents Hill School in Readfield. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maine at Augusta and is slated to complete her MBA at Thomas College in May 2017.

“KVCC is committed to providing students in Maine with a valuable education and experience in a very supportive environment,” Wilson said.