Scarborough, Maine – Recognizing that many businesses and institutions need to address burdensome energy budgets, Thermal Systems, Inc. has developed a new website filled with information about cost savings, energy efficiency, and sustainability made possible by converting to biomass or cogeneration and upgrading to higher efficiency systems using natural gas and oil. In the website, visitors can learn the facts about these alternative energies through client stories and real results.

“TSI’s new website showcases current projects and case studies of completed projects, highlighting the financial savings institutions and industrial clients have received by using alternative energy,” said Candi Huber, Project Manager. “The savings reports and statistics are astounding.”

Owner Bob Waller has over 30 years experience in the steam and power industry. Mr. Waller is often called in as a consultant by Architectural Engineers needing expertise on re-powering projects. One specific element of the website he is proud of is the “What Is?…” section, providing in-depth information on the types of alternative energies TSI deals with. “Not only are we in business to save people money on energy costs, but also to educate and inform,” says Mr. Waller.

TSI’s clients include clients include Tom’s of Maine, Bath Iron Works, Bates College, and UPS. They service locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

About Thermal Systems, Inc.

Thermal Systems, Inc. (TSI) is an established design, procurement and construction management firm providing a wide range of services to Facility Managers, Plant Engineers and Plant Superintendents. Located in Scarborough, Maine, they offer single source responsibility for all types of energy and process applications.

About Hall Web Services
Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy. Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.

For more information visit www.hallme.com/press.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Charles “Wick” Johnson III
Kennebec Technologies
207-626-0188 ext 201
207-626-0198
clj@kennebec.com
www.kennebec.com

Kennebec Technologies and Its President Win Two Awards

Augusta, ME, December 31, 2009 — Kennebec Technologies President, Charles “Wick” Johnson, has been named “Business Person of the Year” by Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and honored with a “Profitable Connections” award from the Smaller Business Association of New England.

KVCC’s 2010 Business Person of the Year Award
The Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Charles “Wick” Johnson its 2010 “Business Person of the Year.”

Peter Thompson, President and CEO of KVCC, nominated Johnson. “This former teacher, entrepreneur, and owner of Kennebec Technologies exemplifies business success and community service,” said Thompson. “Wick has led a team of innovators at Kennebec Technologies while also serving a number of important public roles.”

Thompson cited Johnson’s service on the Maine State Chamber Board of Directors, his past chairmanship of the University of Maine System Trustees, and past chairmanship of the Augusta Board of Trade.

Johnson will be honored January 22, 2010, at the KVCC Annual Awards Banquet.

SBANE’s 2009 Profitable Connections Award
Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE) recognized Kennebec Technologies, at its annual Profitable Connections Awards meeting October 22, 2009, for becoming certified as a supplier to Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems.

Rick Briggs Jr., Managing Director of Consilium Partners in Boston, and an SBANE member, made the nomination. “I was delighted that Kennebec Technologies could make a key connection with Raytheon through SBANE” said Briggs. “Kennebec had pursued Raytheon for several years, knowing they have great potential to be a key supplier. Kennebec offers a full range of sophisticated fabrication equipment and a highly trained and dedicated workforce; they produce complex components at the highest standards of precision, in high volumes, under tight timeframes — they just needed the right connection to really state their case. SBANE’s collaboration with Raytheon enabled them to make that. This promises to be a significant relationship for both companies.”

Kennebec expects to receive its first orders soon for a project Raytheon has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

ABOUT KENNEBEC TECHNOLOGIES — Established in 1972, Kennebec Technologies is a full-service high-precision machine products manufacturer specializing in complex, high-value-added parts and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries.

For additional information on Kennebec Technologies, contact Wick Johnson, or visit www.kennebec.com.

ABOUT SBANE — The Smaller Business Association of New England is a not-for-profit organization established in 1938 to promote and protect small businesses. Its 700 member companies in six states range from sole-proprietorship service businesses and growing high technology firms to 200-employee manufacturing plants. SBANE’s programs and services address the shared interests and needs of its diverse membership.

For additional information on SBANE, visit www.sbane.org.

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Note to Editor: High-resolution digital photo available. Please e-mail request to lisa@yes-mg.com.
Photo caption: Rick Briggs (L) presents Wick Johnson with SBANE’s 2009 Profitable Connections Award.

Bill Gabriel - New Territory Sales Manager for Distribution of Alternative Energy Products at Nelson & Small, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:

Claire Connell
Nelson & Small, Inc.
212 Canco Road
Portland, ME 04104
207-775-5666
clairec@nelsonsmall.com

Portland, Maine — June 15, 2009 —  Maine native Bill Gabriel has joined Nelson & Small, Inc., as Territory Sales Manager for distribution of alternative-energy products.

Gabriel will be responsible for dealer sales of all alternative-energy and selected high-efficiency conventional-fuel product lines throughout Maine. Product lines include solar-thermal flat panel and vacuum tubes, solar-electric (PV), Southwest and Mariah wind power, and Econar geothermal heat pumps, as well as Ruud standby generators and certain high-efficiency heating and water-heating products.

Gabriel had previously served as Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Colorado’s Infloor Heating Systems, specializing in the sale of Thermomax evacuated-tube solar-heating systems.

Gabriel holds a Master Plumbing license, gas license, oil burner license, and is a Certified Solar Energy Installer. Gabriel owned and operated Gabriel Plumbing & Heating and Gabriel Associates, a general contracting business for more than 20 years. He also owned and operated Gabriel Oil and Propane.

Gabriel is also a nine-year veteran of the armed services, having spent three years on active duty in the Army and six years in the National Guard, with Bravo Company of the 133rd Engineer Battalion based in Westbrook, Maine.

He was born and raised in South Portland and now resides in New Gloucester. He and his partner, Klara, own Wilson Brook Farm where they raise and train Friesian horses.

Gabriel can be reached at Nelson & Small, Inc. at 207-775-5666.

Nelson & Small, Inc. is a 73-year-old family-owned Maine-based wholesale distributor that distributes products throughout New England and Eastern New York. The company headquarters facility and warehouse is located in Portland, Maine. Primary product lines include major household appliances, energy-efficient home-heating and water-heating products, alternative-energy products, and commercial-laundry equipment. For more information, visit www.NelsonSmall.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: entreverge Director Johann Sabbath

Phone (207) 807-7073 cell

Email: johann.sabbath@gmail.com

Portland, ME – Portland PROPEL unveiled entreverge, a bold new project to celebrate and support local entrepreneurs.

The inaugural entreverge Awards, a collaborative project led by PROPEL in partnership with the Portland Regional Chamber and numerous local businesses, business groups, non-profits, and social networks, will accelerate economic growth by connecting entrepreneurs and business innovators with resources and relationships within Portland’s local business community.

“The launch of entreverge comes at a time when the economy is starving for positive energy and when national trends toward innovation and entrepreneurship are amplifying louder than ever”, said Mike Carey, Chair of PROPEL and auctioneer with Tranzon Auction Properties.

Nominations for the entreverge Awards will be fielded at www.entreverge.com from May 5th to 31st.  Nominees will be considered by PROPEL on a number of criteria, including the nominees’ scalable vision for their business and their commitment to a triple bottom line—the people, place, and prosperity of Maine.

Five entreverge Award-winners will receive face time with Portland’s leading business figures and a package of pro bono consultation, services, and products volunteered by local artistic, finance, IT, legal, marketing, and web experts and other business service providers.

Dana Hutchins, owner of Image Works Internet Business Solutions, is one of the local business leaders who is volunteering consulting services to the winners.  “When I was approached about getting involved, “ remarked Dana, “I thought is was a great opportunity to give back to the business community and meet exciting new clients.”

“This is a critical time for collaboration and getting the resources of Portland’s business community behind its future leaders,” said Will Thomas, an entreverge organizer and founder of the Portland-based triathlon company Tri-Maine. 

The entreverge Awards will culminate with a celebration on Thursday evening, June 25th at Port City Music Hall in downtown Portland with live performances by Adam and the Waxmen and the Jason Spooner Band. Tickets can be purchased through the Portland Regional Chamber by calling 207-772-2811.

Recognizing the need to celebrate risk and innovation in today’s economic climate, PROPEL began planning entreverge this winter when approached by the University of Maine Farmington and Swardlick Marketing Group.  Six months later—after comprehensive feedback from many of Portland’s business leaders and social entrepreneurs—entreverge has arrived.

“I’ve spent the last few months meeting with business leaders and organizational heads throughout Greater Portland,” said entreverge Director Johann Sabbath, “trying to figure out the greatest potential value that PROPEL could bring to the community.  Organizing entreverge became the answer.”

Portland PROPEL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering leadership and education among Greater Portland’s young blue, white, green, and no-collar business community. In 2006, PROPEL was inspired by the Realize!Maine network and formed as an affiliate of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.

entreverge is made possible by Premier Sponsors Bangor Savings Bank, Swardlick Marketing Group, and the University of Maine Farmington and Premier Media Sponsor Mainebiz.

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CONTACT:
Charles “Wick” Johnson III
Kennebec Technologies
207-626-0188 ext 201
207-626-0198
clj@kennebec.com
www.kennebec.com
Augusta, ME — February 25, 2009 — Kennebec Tool & Die, Inc. is not taking the current economic crisis lying down. The high-precision machine-parts manufacturer has launched an aggressive growth strategy that includes changing its name to Kennebec Technologies, Inc., and a complete re-branding initiative.
“This change is the culmination of a two-year-long process of capital investment and internal systems integration,” said company owner and president Charles “Wick” Johnson. During that time, the company has invested more than $2.5 million in state-of-the-art manufacturing machines and integrated business systems.
“These changes and our rebranding provide a solid foundation from which to aggressively broaden our market presence,” said Johnson. “The new name better describes the scope of our expertise, which has evolved significantly over the years. Getting out there to showcase ourselves demonstrates that we’re leaning into this economy, not just hunkering down and waiting it out. We’re moving forward with purpose and vigor, which makes us the kind of partner leading manufacturing companies want to work with.”
Johnson, who bought the company in 1984, built Kennebec Tool & Die from a small shop with manual machines and systems to what it is now: a world-class, award-winning manufacturing company specializing in complex, high-precision components for aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications applications.
“Work is still out there to be had, in spite of the severe manufacturing decline, and we are pushing to grow our share of it”, said Johnson. “Maine is home to some of the most highly skilled and motivated workers in the country, and we tell that story everywhere we go.”
Investments Kennebec Technologies made in recent years to upgrade its highly sophisticated engineering, production, and quality-control technology enable the company to produce complex parts to very tight tolerances quickly and efficiently. With bar-fed milling and turning (done-in-one) machining centers, they can produce complex parts completely in one operation, with a solid piece of material going in, and a finished part coming out.
“I am very enthusiastic about what new technology allows us to do,” said Johnson. “But I credit the company’s success to our employees. Their talent, skill, motivation, and dedication are critical to delivering high-quality product and service to our customers. Machines alone can’t do that.”
ABOUT Kennebec Technologies — Established in 1972, Kennebec Technologies is a full-service high-precision machine products manufacturer specializing in complex, high-value-added parts and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries.
For additional information about Kennebec Technologies, contact Wick Johnson, or visit www.kennebec.com.

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