THE MAINE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME GALA GATHERS LEADERS TO SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUCCESS STORIES
For More Information:
Stacy Fuegen
Marketing & Communications Manager, Junior Achievement of Maine
565 Congress St., Ste. 306, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 347-4333 | sfuegen@jamaine.org
Portland, ME – Over 400 business owners and professionals from across the state of Maine gathered for a night dedicated to honoring influential leaders, showcasing students, and celebrating the volunteers and staff of Junior Achievement of Maine.
The evening marked the induction of the following 2023 Maine Business Hall of Fame Laureates:
Lindsay Skilling, CEO, Gifford’s Ice Cream
Stephen M. Smith, President & CEO, L.L.Bean
The Robbins Family: James A. Robbins, Alden Robbins, Catherine Robbins-Halsted, James L. Robbins, and Jenness Robbins, 4th and 5th Generation Owners, Robbins Lumber
These honorees join a distinguished group of leaders from various business sectors and community organizations. Michelle Anderson, Junior Achievement of Maine’s President and CEO, shared her thoughts about the event, stating, “It was a privilege to celebrate extraordinary achievements in business and the power of mentorship at this year’s Maine Business Hall of Fame. Our honorees demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Maine’s economy and are role models for the students we serve through Junior Achievement. The excitement and energy the event created reinforces the value our community puts on inspiring and preparing our state’s youth to become the workforce of tomorrow.”
Event Highlights:
Co-emcees Erin Ovalle, Lifestyle Host and Executive Producer, Maine Life Media, and Jon Small, News Director & Achor, WABI-TV, took to the stage to show their personal support with lively commentary throughout the event.
Joe Purington, President and CEO, Central Maine Power, opened the induction ceremony by saying, “We are so pleased to be a part of Junior Achievement’s Maine Business Hall of Fame. Together, we can nurture the talents and aspirations of young people by helping them realize their full potential and help them become our leaders of tomorrow.”
Remarks from the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees:
• Stephen M. Smith: “What ties L.L.Bean and Junior Achievement Maine together is our shared interest in the future leaders and community members of our state. That is a bond I suspect everyone here shares tonight.” (LINK to prerecorded vignette video)
• Lindsay Skilling: “Not only is Junior Achievement helping young people gain business skills and discover career paths, but it is also inspiring them to dream big and to see a future they might not have even considered.” (LINK to prerecorded vignette video)
• Alden Robbins: “Much like the majestic white pine, future generations of the workforce need attention, they need mentors, lessons, opportunities, protection from threats, and space and opportunity to learn on their own; and that is why we’re so thankful to have programs like Junior Achievement.” (LINK to prerecorded vignette video)
Sean Moody, Founder of Moody’s Worker Co-Owned, shared his perspective on the importance of financial literacy and workforce readiness for students as they prepare to become independent adults.
Student remarks about their experience participating in Junior Achievement programs:
• Dayanna Hooks Wyman, Portland High School: “I think this was a fantastic experience, especially for any junior who might still be trying to figure out “what they want to do with their life.”
• Tashawn Spradley, Portland High School: “With the help of Junior Achievement, I plan to become someone great, and I want others to be great, too!”
• Jacob MacWilliams, Loranger Memorial School: “Learning about money is like having a superpower that will help us make smart decisions in our future.”
• Owen Mitchell, Monmouth United: “What I want you to know about Junior Achievement is that it encourages kids to learn more about careers, the economy, and how to handle money. This information will be very useful as we grow up.”
The event's fundraising component was a success; reaching its goal to help support more program development throughout the state. In the past year, Junior Achievement of Maine has positively impacted 12,745 students throughout the state.
Since 1990, Junior Achievement’s Maine Business Hall of Fame has recognized individuals in Maine who have made a lasting impact on both the Maine economy and our evolving community. JA Maine honors Hall of Fame Laureates for their leadership and success in business and community involvement. Our honorees this year join a group of 114 past laureates who have been inducted into the prestigious JA Hall of Fame.
The event was held on October 10, 2023, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine. (LINK to full event video stream)
Additional download links for laureates and student speaker photos can be found in the full PDF press release below.
About Junior Achievement of Maine
Junior Achievement of Maine (JA) empowers our youth with the knowledge, ability, and confidence to navigate their futures, drive our economy, and lead our community. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches
students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of close to 700 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered 20+ programs to 12,745 students in classrooms throughout Maine. For more information about Junior Achievement of Maine, visit JAmaine.org. Follow JA on social media @jaofmaine
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