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V O L . X X V I N O. V I M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 16 For more information, visit efficiencymaine.com or call 866-376-2463 Increase efficiency, boost productivity, and reduce operating costs with incentives available from Efficiency Maine. EFFICIENCY MAINE WORKS WITH BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS OF ALL SIZES Risbara "is a man of his word. If he says he's going to do or not do something, you can believe it. I've always appreciated that, and respect him highly." Hall also notes that the next 24 months are critical to the project's success, saying, "Good thought- ful planning now is going to pay dividends down the road." Kevin Bunker, founding principal of Developers Collaborative, expressed simi- lar admiration for the Risbaras, with whom he co-owns about 140 apartment units and has done two successful projects. They're currently working on a third, 38 units of affordable housing for seniors. Bunker expects to break ground this summer. On a more personal note, Bunker says it's always fun to engage with the Risbaras, saying, "Whenever I get a phone call and see it's from Roccy, I think, 'This is going to be cool, I wonder what he'll think of next." Family legacy For the Risbaras, par t of keeping their parents' legacy alive is through the nonprofit Maine Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation, which awarded $50,000 last year in trade school scholarships to 44 young people, says Shawn Moody of Moody's Collision Centers, who started the foundation in 2014 and later expanded it thanks to the Risbaras. "The Risbaras made a very generous contribution to help us take the effort statewide," he says, equally appreciative of Roccy and daughter Maria Risbara's board participation. Maria, who also serves as rental division manager for Maine Properties, says she's proud to work for a successful business and of the work her dad and uncles are doing at The Downs. "They care more about Scarborough than anyone. They've lived here their whole lives," she says. "It truly will be their legacy." Asked what he enjoys most about what he does, her father says, "Creating some- thing is a big part of it. To take a raw piece of land, to look at something and figure out what's the best use, and figure out how we could do that in a way we want, and we can be proud of." As for The Downs, "We've all touched that project in different ways. When it's all said and done, we can all be proud of it." Roccy Risbara 5 QUESTIONS Age: 56 Leadership icon: My father, Rocco Risbara II. He created this family business with the utmost integrity, and he built it to last. He was an honest guy who taught my brothers and I the importance of a strong work ethic from a very young age. He wouldn't gave me a dollar, but he'd always give me a way to earn one. When he started this company 50 years ago — he responded to specific needs of the region, he always stood behind the quality of his work and every home he built. He had a kind way about him, but yet he was a very savvy leader. To this day, I've never seen someone work harder than him. I hope to instill the same qualities in my kids and my employees, too, who are like family to us. Maine's biggest challenge: In order for Maine to compete economically, we need to do two things: create good-paying jobs and attract a skilled workforce to move to Maine. We must increase the population to shift the demographics to younger, income earners. Over the next 10 years, the state of Maine is expected to have more people retire than enter the workforce. This will become a big problem if we don't work together and define a clear roadmap that accomplishes those two goals. If we are successful, we will ultimately position Maine as more than a just great place to visit. Maine's biggest opportunity: Maine has an incredible advantage over other states given our natural beauty and attractions. It is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, that is, if you can find a way to make a living. Maine is a unique place where people work together, a place where someone is willing to share a cup of coffee and a new idea. We have the ability to attract and keep people in Maine and eventually the rest of the nation will come to realize how special this state really is. Best business advice: Concentrate on things that will move the needle, and disre- gard the noise others will throw at you while you are doing it. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E

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