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V O L . X X X I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 2 0 , 2 0 2 5 10 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E extend their existing contract by 30 days as both parties continue working toward a long-term agreement, according to a joint statement issued Oct. 1. As a result of the extension, Northern Light physi- cians and medical providers, including primary care and specialists, will remain in-network with Anthem employer- sponsored and individual health plans through Oct. 31, rather than Oct. 1 as originally intended. Northern Light inpatient care and services from hospital outpatient departments will stay in- network with Anthem employer-spon- sored and individual plans through Dec. 31. And all Northern Light hospitals and physicians will remain in-network for Anthem Medicare Advantage plans through Dec. 31. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N Ryan Pelletier will leave his post as Aroostook County administrator to serve as city administrator in Saco. He will succeed John Bohenko, who resigned in August. Emily Cole-Prescott, Saco's deputy city administrator of community development, will continue serving as interim city administrator until Pelletier's contract starts on Jan. 5, 2026. Scarborough, ME // Pittsseld, ME // Auburn, NH A FAMILYOWNED BUSINESS SERVING OUR CLIENTS SINCE 1948 AAAENERGY.COM Contact us to learn about customized HVAC-R service plans for your facility. HVAC, PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE DESIGN/BUILD SERVICES COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION BUILDING CONTROLS MAINTENANCE PLANS Building efficiency. It's what we do. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y P r i s c i l l a H a n s e n M a h o n e y , B l a z i n g T r a i l s C o a c h i n g The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: How do you prepare leadership and management to run an ESOP successfully? ACE advises: An Employee Stock Ownership Plan is often described as a succession strategy, but the truth is, the transaction is just the starting line. The success of an ESOP depends on how well leadership and management are pre- pared to guide the company in its next chapter. One of the biggest shifts is moving from an owner-led model to a team-led model. In a traditional business, the founder or owner usually makes the final call. In an ESOP, leadership must foster transparency, accountability, and communication across all levels. That doesn't mean every employee votes on every decision, but it does mean leaders must operate with clarity and consistency, so employees feel the impact of ownership in their daily work. To set an ESOP up for success, leadership teams should: Build strong systems: Establish governance, clear roles, and regular meeting cadences that connect strategy to day-to-day operations. Develop leaders: Train managers in both people skills and financial literacy so they can model own- ership thinking and explain the "why" behind decisions. Establish and live core values: Define the principles that guide behavior and decision-making and hold leadership accountable for modeling them every day. Strengthen communication: Ensure information flows consistently across the company, helping employees understand how their work contributes to long-term value. Practice patience: Recognize that cultural change doesn't happen overnight — ownership mindset develops through repetition, education, and trust. When management commits to these practices, the pay- off is significant: stronger retention, engaged employees and a company that's truly positioned to carry forward the founder's legacy. Priscilla Hansen Mahoney, founder of Blazing Trails Coaching, is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and iPEC professional coach and works closely with ESOPs to strengthen leadership and culture. She is a past president of ACE.

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