Both lawyers will focus their practices at Bernstein Shur on trust and estate planning, administration, and taxation.  Colby’s practice will also focus on trust and estate litigation.  Both lawyers are admitted to practice law in Maine and Massachusetts.

Before joining Bernstein Shur, the Wallaces both worked as associate attorneys for a small boutique trusts and estates law firm in Portland, Maine.  The Wallaces met and married while in law school and currently reside in South Portland, Maine.

“We are very pleased to welcome Colby and Katy to the firm to further strengthen our robust tax, trusts and estates practice,” said Charles Miller, Bernstein Shur’s managing shareholder.  “Their move to Bernstein Shur is the latest example of the firm’s commitment to strategic growth in this practice group, and an important component of the firm’s long-term strategic plan.”

Colby formerly practiced trusts and estates law at the Maine law firms of Jensen Baird Gardner & Henry and Eaton Peabody.  He is a current legislative liaison of the Trusts & Estates Section of the Maine State Bar Association and serves on the Maine Medical Center’s Planned Giving Committee.  Colby also served as a past president of the Cumberland Bar Association.  He received his law degree from the University of Maine in 2001 and his B.A. from Boston University magna cum laude in 1997.

Katy is a member of the Maine Estate Planning Council and served as past chair of the Trusts & Estates Section of the Maine State Bar Association.  Katy earned a J.D. from the University of Maine in 2001 and an A.B. from Wheaton College cum laude in 1998.

About Bernstein Shur

Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial firms, Bernstein Shur is a multi-service law firm with more than 100 attorneys in offices in Maine and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is Maine’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.

Contact:

Ralph St. George

207-774-1200

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Portland, Maine, June 16, 2010 – Bernstein Shur, one of northern New England’s largest law firms, has once again been ranked among the nation’s leading law firms in the 2010 edition of Chambers USA, a prestigious directory of the country’s top law firms.

Chambers USA gave the firm the highest possible ranking for Maine law firms in the categories of Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions (including Bankruptcy), Energy & Natural Resources and Real Estate, noting Bernstein Shur’s “expertise on a range of operational, contractual and compliance matters” and its “significant presence in the energy sector.”

The firm also received high ranking for several distinct practice areas in Maine and New Hampshire. The Portland and Augusta, Maine offices were recognized for their Labor & Employment, General Commercial Litigation and Environment practice groups. The Manchester, New Hampshire office was recognized for its Labor & Employment and General Commercial Litigation practice groups.

In addition, 28 Bernstein Shur attorneys were ranked among the nation’s top lawyers, a 27 percent increase from 2009, with 10 attorneys ranking number one in their respected practice groups.  For the fourth consecutive year, Robert J. Keach received Chambers USA’s highest ranking designation of “Star” for his Bankruptcy work.  Keach is the only Maine attorney to receive the distinction in this practice area.

“Bernstein Shur is known for providing unusually practical and innovative counsel in commercial, litigation and municipal matters.  It is also recognized for its superior technical competence, seasoned judgment, responsiveness and cost-effective solutions,” according to Chambers USA.

Chambers has published the leading directories of the legal profession for more than 20 years. The selection process for the Chambers USA directory involves 100 full-time researchers conducting interviews with thousands of attorneys and their clients. This intensive, continuous research identifies the nation’s top lawyers and law firms, judged according to the criteria most valued by their clients.

The Bernstein Shur attorneys selected to be included in the 2010 Chambers USA directory are:

Corporate/M&A – Maine: John L Carpenter and Eric F Saunders

Corporate/M&A: Bankruptcy – Maine: Sam Anderson, Michael A Fagone, Jeremy R Fischer, Robert J Keach and Jay S Geller

Energy & Natural Resources – Maine: Gordon F Grimes, Patrick J Scully and Sarah Tracy

Environment – Maine: Katherine Joyce and Jeffrey A Thaler

Labor & Employment- Maine: Glenn Israel, Linda D McGill and Patricia A Peard

Litigation: General Commercial – Maine: Paul McDonald, Daniel J Mitchell, Peter J Rubin and Jeffrey A Thaler

Real Estate – Maine: Tom S Hanson, Charles E Miller, Jaimie Paul Schwartz, Nathan H Smith, Richard Smith, Peter Van Hemel and William M Welch

Real Estate: Timberland/Conservation – Maine: Eliza M Cope Nolan

Labor & Employment – New Hampshire: Andrea Johnstone

Litigation: General Commercial – New Hampshire: Andru H Volinsky

About Bernstein Shur Widely regarded as one of New England’s most entrepreneurial firms, Bernstein Shur is a multi-service law firm with more than 100 attorneys in offices in Maine and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is Maine’s exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. More information is available at www.bernsteinshur.com.

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Acclaimed local design firm Pulp+Wire has been recognized by leading global brand consultancy GDRUK’s (Graphic Design Research United Kingdom) Creative Intelligence and Global Innovation Report 36 (GIR36). The Global Innovation Report is a unique quarterly publication, compiled exclusively for global consumer brands such as Nike, L’Oreal, McDonald’s and Macy’s to highlight the latest innovations and trends in retail, design, packaging and hospitality globally.

Pulp+Wire was singled out for inclusion in the prestigious report for their packaging design innovation and work on the new RAW Water product from Summit Spring Water, Harrison ME. RAW Water is a unique offering from the bottled water company in that the water is entirely untreated and untouched, gravity-fed through stainless steel tubing leading from the spring to the bottle; then packaged in a light blocking bag to keep the product away from harmful UV light.

“Summit Spring has been a long-standing relationship and we were thrilled to work on the RAW Water packaging and branding,” said Pulp+Wire owner and designer, Taja Dockendorf. “The product itself is exciting in that no other bottled water can be presented this way. The packaging and positioning offered a ton of opportunity to do something a bit different, a bit more engaging. To have a company like GDR Creative Intelligence seek us out for inclusion and to be showcased to global brands like Nike as being on the cusp of creativity and innovation is really exciting!”

A long-time client of the studio, Summit Spring tapped the recently renamed and relocated Pulp+Wire to handle the packaging, positioning and brand creation for the product. Formerly designing under the name T.Doc Creative, Pulp+Wire was notified of their inclusion in the trend report just before opening its doors in downtown Portland.

About Pulp+Wire – Traditional Print and Online Media

Pulp+Wire (www.PulpandWire.com), Located at 2 Milk Street in the Old Port district of Portland, specializes in traditional print and online media. Pulp+Wire’s client base ranges in size and scope from small, local start-ups, to craft product manufacturers to service providers with national and, in some cases, international reach. Utilizing a client-centric business model Pulp+Wire produces outstanding creative solutions custom tailored to build and help businesses succeed. Capabilities include graphic design, packaging, logo & identity, advertising, web design, mobile, social media and marketing.

Pulp+Wire has been recognized and awarded both as Pulp+Wire and as T.Doc Creative, most recently by the Ad Club of Maine, Graphic Design USA magazine, National Barbecue Association, National Barbecue News, Package Design Magazine and other local and national publications and online outlets. Join them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pulpandwire) and Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/pulpandwire )

Contact: Taja Dockendorf
Pulp & Wire, 2 Milk Street
Portland , Maine 04101
207.773.4700
hi@pulpandwire.com

May 17, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Portland, Maine) The Maine Center for Enterprise Development (MCED) is proud to announce its newest Benefactor Level Sponsor:  Kepware Technologies.

“MCED is the “go-to” organization for any small business start-up that needs Maine business connections, and mentoring from experienced businesspeople. Kepware was in there about 10 years ago, and I only wish that those resources had been available to me back then,” says Corson Ellis, Chairman and Founder, Kepware Technologies. 

Headquartered in Portland, ME since 1995, Kepware Technologies is the world leader in communication software for automation and offers a unique experience in both OPC and embedded device communications.  The company focuses on the development of communication drivers to automation controllers, I/O and field devices. 

To learn more about Kepware Technologies visit their website at http://www.kepware.com or call 1-888-537-9273.

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ABOUT MCED

MCED is a private, not-for-profit 501-c-3 organization created to establish an environment where small companies, start-ups and first-time entrepreneurs can grow, prosper and successfully commercialize their technology in southern Maine. As Maine’s first business incubator, MCED was created out of the Portland Regional Chamber in 1997 to be a model of excellence for nurturing entrepreneurs, launching successful start-up companies and implementing innovation as an economic development tool for Maine.

For additional information about MCED please visit http://www.mced.biz.

CONTACT:

Steven Bazinet, President

228-8525

SBazinet@mced.biz

Planned gifts – typically absorbed into endowment funds – generally involve more complicated gift arrangements than current gifts of cash or marketable securities. They also typically begin at the 6 figure level, involve gift, estate and/or income tax benefits to their donors, and can increase significantly the financial resources of nonprofit organizations for their long-term operation.

In this course, we will review and explore:

* organizational prerequisites, including board and staff roles
* underlying policies and procedures
* the industry of planned giving
* wealth transfer and tax implications that incentivize planned gifts
* mechanics of planned gifts
* resources to support planned giving programs (e.g. allied professionals, web-based services)
* the concept of appropriate donor recognition and stewardship

We will also discuss how to identify potential planned giving opportunities.

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, J.D. is a graduate of the Institute for Civic Leadership and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (“CTFA”). She has practiced law, was Vice President for Southern Maine at the Maine Community Foundation and Sr. Administrative Trust officer at Union Trust Company. She is a frequent writer and speaker on the topics of trust and estate planning, charitable gift planning and planned giving.

Wednesday, April 14, and Thursday, April 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
call USM Cont Ed. 1-800-787-0468  or go to USM Cont Ed web site here
$285 (12 contact hours/ 1.2 CEUs)
Abromson Center, 88 Bedford Street, USM Portland campus

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist can be reached at her web-site, Planning for Good here

The DBE certification is specific to small businesses which are at least 51% woman, minority or disadvantaged owned; and whose business provides a product or service necessary for MaineDOT’s Prime/Subcontractors and Consultants, in fulfilling their contract requirements in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 26.

Ivonne Vazquez, Principal of VIVA states, “This certification affords my company the opportunity to provide business support services to engineering, construction companies, consultants and others who work at the State and Municipal level on MaineDOT projects.”

VIVA-Virtually Indispensable Virtual Assistants, LLC, Maine’s only Spanish/English bi-lingual and bi-cultural virtual business support company, was established in 2009. The company provides clients with services that include Government Vendor Support; Spanish Language Business Services; Executive Administrative Support; and Consulting.

For more information about VIVA, contact Ivonne Vazquez at 207.221.6671 or via the website www.vivavirtualassistants.com.

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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