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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 2 4 our meeting, representatives said they needed a suitable property, an adequate labor force and a receptive community. We are pleased they recognized that Caribou has all that and more. While I can't give full details, the project is on track to meet their target of a Q1 2025 opening. I understand this will be a first-of-its-kind operation in Maine for this company. MB: What would you say are key attributes for a city manager? PT: Transparency and honesty are really important. We're funded by tax- payer dollars. I have to say, 'is is what we're doing with your money.' I say to people every day, 'Don't be afraid to come to me and say, "Hey, I think you're wrong."' I want to be the person who people feel comfortable coming to. I love to learn. It's like oxygen for me. And you can learn from every- body. And I've tried to instill in everyone I've worked with that, just as I like to learn, I want them to learn. at means giving them the tools of education. e city manager is a generalist, so I have something to learn from the police and fire departments, public works, the city clerk's office — all of them. ey're the experts in what they're doing. As the generalist, I'm trying to help them be the best version of themselves as employees and to do work that's fulfill- ing to them. And in the process, our citizens are getting a well-trained and engaged workforce. MB: How would you characterize Caribou? PT: People embrace each other. When someone is having a hard time, people step in to help — and they don't need anyone to know they're helping. ey love this community. Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Linda and I met in 2015; she was intrigued by ESOPs and thought it might work for her lobster business. The company, Bean Maine Lobster, went ESOP in 2016, and it has been a great success for the employee-owners. Our association continued. While we sometimes butted heads, I always appreciated her drive, vision and energy. Although Linda, an L.L.Bean descendant, probably never had to work, she worked tirelessly, committing her resources to starting and sponsoring Maine businesses, investing in new (and old) ventures, taking risks and championing underdogs. A few weeks before her death, Linda, who was in her 80s, reached out. Over oysters, we reconnected about our lives, families and—of course—two new ESOPs she wanted to do. She was truly ageless. - Susan Scherbel, CEO, Bellview Associates Linda Bean, 1941-2024: "in the game" until the end. Make new connections with the Millinocket business community! PRESEN T ING SP ONSOR REGIONAL SP ONSORS HORS D'OEUVRES / CASH BAR / NETWORKING WITH AREA BUSINESS EXECUTIVES S PACE IS S PACE IS L IMITED L IMITED, BE S URE TO , BE S URE TO R EG IS TER! R EG IS TER! Please register ahead at mainebiz.biz/OTRMillinocket24 S E P T E M B E R 2 5 / 4 – 6 P M / H I L L C R E S T G O L F C O U R S E , M I L L I N O C K E T MILLINOCKET I love to learn. It's like oxygen for me. And you can learn from everybody. — Penny Thompson

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