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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 37 O C T O B E R 6 , 2 0 2 5 AWA R D 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 Raising the level of the game Barrett Takesian, 35 Executive director, Portland Community Squash Significant professional accom- plishment: Starting with a slide deck and no Portland contacts in 2012, my network grew to over 10,000 friends in Greater Portland. Through innovation and modern systems, Por tland Community Squash has transformed those connections into a thriving community center that fosters opportunity, rela- tionships and well-being for all. Ever yone we've worked with has helped shape the building blocks of this nationally recog- nized model. How you raised money to build the first squash court: My strategy has been to create mission alignment through well-produced vid- eos and lots of networking coffees — although I don't drink coffee. Greatest achievement: My community-building mis- sion has also shaped my personal life. Last year, my wife Qamer and I brought together our culturally diverse families. Passion project: Instigating the next wave of Community Centers by working with community builders on the ground all over the country. When work is under control, these are my favorite meetings. Lightbulb moment: At the end of my first gym class demo in 2012, I asked the kids to close their eyes and raise their hands if they wanted to come play squash. Every hand went up. Audacious goal: I have consulted on 13 successful community squash cen- ters around the country, and I'm smil- ing as the model is leaping into other arts and sports-based programs across Maine and nationally. With enough adopt- ers, I think we're looking at the next wave of American Community Centers. Influential book: "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho Favorite movie: "Dune" Personal hero: Jaylen Brown Favorite quote: "The greatness of a com- munity is most accurately mea- sured by the com- passionate actions of its members." — Coretta Scott King Maine's big- gest challenge: Connecting youth to oppor tunity. Every time we fail to pair stu- dents and pas- sions, that's one less robotics cham- pion, one less rock climber, one less guitar player at the family holi- days. These passions don't just strengthen individual well-being; they come with a net- work of people that can create the social capital needed for social mobility. We are only as strong as our people — share those passions, people. Best way to recharge: Play- ing sports and fixing things Dream dinner guests: Margaret Angel, Fiona Hill, Kaveri Subbarao C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Mainebiz print is a powerful advertising tool and the best way to get in front of Maine's business leaders. — Paula Mahony Fractional CMO, Words@Work, Inc. 85% of Mainebiz readers spend 15 minutes or more reading each issue 81% of Mainebiz subscribers are the #1 decision-makers at their business. INFORM. ENGAGE. CONNECT. ENGAGED AUDIENCE FOR ADVER TI S I NG OPPOR TU NI TI ES, EM AI L ADVERTISING@MAINEBIZ.BIZ F U L L C O N T E N T S O N PA G E 4 F O C U S S O U T H E R N M A I N E M U S H RO O M A N D C O N S T R U C T I O N P H O T O S / T I M G R E E N W AY P O R T S M O U T H N AVA L S H I P YA R D P H O T O S / J I M N E U G E R 12 Anchoring Kittery The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a major employer in southern Maine, gears up for the future. 16 A real estate surge A shortage of existing homes has contractors scrambling to meet the demand for housing. 19 Ag's next wave? Mushroom growers are cultivating a variety of fungi to keep up with demand from chefs and consumers. Southern Maine builds on diverse industries S O U T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S Economy motion S O U T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S S TA R T S O N PA G E 1 1 » in $2.00 July 10, 2017 VO L . X X I I I N O. X V www.mainebiz.biz 85% of Mainebiz readers are college graduates STATEWIDE, SUBSCRIPTION-BASED BUSINESS PUBLICATION IN MAINE. WE ARE THE ONLY AUDITED, A Look at Maine's Future Economy REGISTER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17 NO W T H R O U G H M A R C H 1 , 2 0 2 6 Loïs Mailou Jones (United States, 1905–1998), Paris, 1962, oil on canvas, 23 3/4 x 36 3/8 inches. Portland Museum of Art, Maine. David C. and Thelma G. Driskell Collection, Museum purchase with exchange funds from the bequest of Mrs. Thomas B. Reed, 2024.8.5. © Loïs Mailou Jones Pierre-Noël Trust. Image courtesy Petegorsky/Gipe Photo Everyone we've worked with has helped shape the building blocks of this nationally recognized model. — Barrett Takesian Portland Community Squash

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