Mainebiz

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 4 , 2 0 2 5 From the Editor T his year's Mainebiz Business Leaders of the Year face some daunting challenges. Aside from the usual battles with labor short- ages, combined with the lack of affordable housing and child care that compound the labor short- ages, today's leaders are coming to grips with rapid changes in federal funding, trade tariffs and the ever-increasing cost of doing business. Yet the best leaders have a way of organiz- ing the disruptive, managing the unknown and embracing change. A passage from our profile of Ben Davis, this year's Entrepreneur of the Year, illustrates this: "One of my favorite quotes," Davis says, "comes from Richard Branson, whose style of entrepre- neurship I truly admire: 'Screw it, let's just do it.' I love this because most people get stuck in over- thinking and never take action, preventing them from discovering whether their idea is truly good or bad. e 'paralysis of analysis' is often the big- gest killer of great ideas. Taking the leap, learning as you go and adapting quickly — that's how real innovation happens." Business Leader of the Year profiles start on Page 8. Remembering a longtime Maine leader Speaking of leadership, this seems like an appro- priate time to remember Bill Haggett, who passed away recently at age 90. Haggett led Bath Iron Works through a time of change, and later took on leadership of Pineland Farms and its related food production. I first met Haggett about 10 years ago when he was leading Pineland Farms. He was around 80 at that point — and, from my perspective, was in his prime. He was tall, had a barrel chest and a booming voice. He asked a lot of questions and he knew how to listen, too. Months after meeting him for the first time, I was in the cafe area of the Pineland Farms campus in New Gloucester and I heard a bellowing voice, calling me by name. It was Bill. He was having lunch with some young employees, and introduced me not only by name but with my company affilia- tion. It was impressive, given that I'd only met him once or twice before that. He had a sharp mind and a strong intellectual curiosity well into his ninth decade. I never had a chance to confirm this with him, but I had heard he started paddleboarding in his 80s, which only added to my admiration. 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 Mainebiz offers the latest business news in the Daily Report and the Real Estate Insider newsletters. Here is the top content from March 3–17. 1. Auburn warehouse gives Maine's largest fastener supplier room to grow 2. Maine lobster catch hits a 6-year low in 2024 3. On the Record: Owner of three Maine restaurants 'always open to new business opportunities' 4. With Gorham Connector proposal shelved, transportation officials look at other options 5. Shifting economic factors may slow timeline for Portland apartment building 6. Emergency veterinary center for specialty care to open in Falmouth in spring 2026 7. Maine businesses navigate new reality of tariff whiplash 8. Old Orchard Beach hotels brace for impact of Canada-US trade spat 9. Friday Food Insider: Portland distillery closes; Portland Wine Week on pause 10. Portland digital health startup wins FDA approval for device to help Parkinson's patients P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y K . L . JA C K 1 The best leaders also know how to listen. Congratulations 2025 Business Leaders! You inspire us. bernsteinshur.com Thank you for your leadership excellence and dedication to helping our Maine business community thrive. Qualities of leadership go beyond business school coursework

• Cover