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V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 M A R C H 2 0 , 2 0 2 3 From the Editor M ainebiz has expanded the annual Business Leaders of the Year program this year to include more categories, and to try to bring a greater range of not only people but indus- tries and interests. One theme I noticed this year was that leaders were making an extra effort to include their teams. While we tend to choose just one "leader" from a company or nonprofit, we do acknowledge that organizations are made up of teams of people with varied backgrounds and skills. Brought together, the teammates work toward a common goal. I think what's interesting about this group is that we have a number of people who lead by example. I'll single out retiring Maine State Chamber CEO Dana Connors, since he's receiving the "life- time achievement" award and is winding down this chapter of his professional career. During the pan- demic, Connors and his team started a video pod- cast called "e Maine Take with Dana Connors," on which I was a frequent guest. Rather than being an iron-fisted "leader," I was struck by how gracious and respectful he was with guests, whether they were senior U.S. Senators or people on the ground running small businesses. at kind of leadership is sometimes taken for granted, but it's the best kind. Same, too, with Travis Mills, who has been a great inspiration as a wounded Army veteran that's started a foundation to help other vets and their families. You'll read in his profile that it was his daughter Chloe that made a major impact on him, as they were both learning to walk at the same time — she as a toddler and he as a quadru- ple amputee. is year we honor nine Business Leaders of the Year. We think you'll find their stories compelling. Profiles start on Page 12. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Featured @ Mainebiz.biz For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews Get Maine's top business news daily at mainebiz.biz or by signing up for our Daily Report and Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is our top content from Feb. 15 to March 15. 1. Big Papi takes a swing at Maine cannabis market 2. Maine's out-of-state homebuyers came from these states last year 3. After $125 million retrofit, TimberHP's Madison mill will produce high- performance insulation 4. Historic riverside Hallowell building sells for $2.4M 5. Retiring to Vacationland: Maine's growing attraction for retirees 'from away' 6. Real Estate Insider notebook: Planned Skowhegan investments will top $650 million 7. NH couple with hospitality background buy one of Maine's oldest inns 8. Loyal Biscuit, with six Maine stores, has been acquired by national pet supply chain 9. $18.5M commercial transaction largest in recent Augusta history 10. Applications open for $6.5M in heating assistance funds P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F PA P I C A N N A B I S 1 While we tend to choose just one 'leader' from a company or nonprofit, we do acknowledge that organizations are made up of teams of people with varied backgrounds and skills. bernsteinshur.com Thank you for your leadership excellence and dedication to helping our Maine business community thrive. Congratulations 2023 Business Leaders! You inspire us. Leadership comes in many forms

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