Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1224600
VO L . X X V I N O. V I § 2 M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 26 2015 Jim Wellehan Retired president / Lamey-Wellehan What he is doing today: I'm now the retired president and, depending on the day, either chairman of the board or "chairman of the bored." Key lessons learned as a manager: • It's important to create an atmosphere where everyone is friends with each other, and feels respected and free. • Honesty, openness and concern for all are critical skills. at concern must include our communities, our nation and world, and our environment. • It's important to try to connect the minutiae of your business with the many large trends in the world economy. Advice to Maine's next generation of business leaders: Enjoy your life in Maine! And love Maine! What's next: We are setting up an ESOP so that all of the good people in our company will become the good owners, and, in so far as is possible, the company's positive values will persevere. Donna Dwyer CEO / My Place Teen Center What she is doing today: CEO, My Place Teen Center. Currently we have 10 employees and 120 volunteers with 2021 seeing a surge of doubling our workforce and volunteer base. Key lessons learned as a manager: • Take the high road, always; never delve into the swamp. • Follow up and follow through. Be accountable. • Serve your mission. Serve your staff. Just serve. Advice to Maine's next generation of business leaders: Be savvy. Be pleasantly persistent. Be humble. Have a razor-sharp focus. Hone your passion. Share your talent, time, and treasure. What's next: We are in the midst of a $6 million capital campaign to open up a second location in Biddeford at the former St. Andre's. When this goal is realized, we will serve 1,000 teens per year and 20,000 meals. But why do this? My Place Teen Center is at the fore- front of some of the most crucial issues of our time. We fight to keep kids safe from the devastation of the opioid epidemic. We combat poverty and food insecurity. We create real, authentic communities with kids from diverse backgrounds, teaching them how to be good citizens and good neighbors. We show teens from broken homes that there is a better way to live life — with accountability, personal responsibility, and self-care. GRIT is it! e mettle of a kid's heart and WILL is IT. #tinySTRONG Jim Wellehan is retired president of shoe retailer Lamey-Wellehan. FILE PHOTO Donna Dwyer, CEO of My Place Teen Center, which is amid a $6 million capital campaign. COURTESY / MY PLACE TEEN CENTER Honesty, openness and concern for all are critical skills. That concern must include our communities, our nation and world, and our environment. – Jim Wellehan Be pleasantly persistent. Be humble. Have a razor-sharp focus. Hone your passion. Share your talent, time, and treasure. – Donna Dwyer