Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1544670
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 M AY 4 , 2 0 2 6 named a finalist in four categories at the 2026 Reed Awards, presented by Campaigns & Elections. Kaplan Thompson Architects in Portland announced that Sam Bell-Hart com- pleted the path to licensure through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and is now a Maine Licensed Architect. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was presented with the "Justice Award" from the American Bar Association. New Ventures Maine in Augusta hon- ored Janice de Lima, vice president and community reinvestment act officer for Norway Savings Bank, with its "2026 Merle Nelson Women Making a Difference Award." RE/MAX LLC named RE/MAX Shoreline agents Andy Yau and Jess Paladino as Torchbearers, which recognizes agents under 40 across the U.S. and Canada for exceptional performance and strong leadership. Sweetser, a behavioral health nonprofit based in Saco, was named "Nonprofit of the Year" by the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and voted "Best Mental Health Care - Non-Profit" in the Sanford–Springvale area in the 2026 Best of the Best Survey. Verrill, a law firm in Portland, announced that attorneys Roger Clement Jr. and Robert Keach were featured in the "2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers" list. Clement advises businesses and lend- ing institutions on restructurings, credi- tors' rights, bankruptcies, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial litigation while Keach's practice focuses on bank- ruptcy, reorganization and workouts. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Augusta said that Game Warden Sergeant Chad Robertson of Division D in Greenville was hon- ored by his peers as the "Maine Game Warden of the Year" for 2025. Other 2025 award winners included Kyle Hladik, "2025 Game Warden Supervisor Of e Year;" Herbert Vernon, "Legendary Game Warden Of e Year;" Chris Dyer, "2025 Special Recognition Award;" Jake Voter, "K9 Search and Rescue Case of the Year;" Kayle Hamilton, "2025 Conservation K9 Case of the Year Award;" Pete Herring, Mike Pierre and Cody York, "Meritorious Service Award;" and "Exemplary Service Awards" went to Chris Carney, Tom DiTomasso, Emerson Duplissie-Cyr, Tyler Harhart, Joshua Beal, Nick Johnson, Hunter Howard, Avery Boucher, Carney, Steve Milton, Tennie Coleman, Marc D'Elia, Peter Herring, Tyler Leach, Seth Powers, Kale O'Leary, James Gushee, Tony Gray, Pierre, Carleton Richardson, Kevin Richards, Bruce Loring, Matt Tenan, Joshua Tibbetts, Steve Milon and Ben Gormely. Atlantic Federal Credit Union in South Portland was awarded "Best in Category for Retail Display and Merchandising" for its Scarborough branch at the America's Credit Unions Diamond Awards. Team Nourish Kids of RSU 22, represent- ing Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport and Frankfort, won the Maine Department of Education's "2026 Farm-to-School Cook-Off Championship." Teams repre- senting MSAD 1 (Presque Isle, Mapleton, Chapman, Castle Hill and Westfield), MSAD 52 (Turner, Greene and Leeds) and the Westbrook School Department also competed in the championship. ClimateWork Maine hosted its 4th Annual Summit on Economy & Climate Change on March 19 at omp- son's Point in Portland. Its "Climate Action Awards" were: BrightBuilt Homes,"Climate Catalyst Award," Sappi North America, "Climate Performance Award;" Bluesonde, "Climate Innovation Award;" and the Greater Portland Coun- cil of Governments,"Climate Collabo- rator Award." MaineGeneral in Augusta said it achieved recertification as a "Gold Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital." The Finance Authority of Maine in Augusta announced that Mila Tappan, education affordability content and training man- ager, was chosen to receive the "2026 New England Educational Opportunity Association Claiborne Pell Award" recognizing individuals whose pioneer- ing leadership and vision have made an indelible mark on the struggle for equal educational opportunity. Allen Insurance and Financial in Camden was named Maine's "2025 Diamond Achiever" by Patriot Insurance Co. in Yarmouth. e award is presented to the highest-performing agencies based on set criteria, including length of appointment, profitability, growth and policy retention. Looking for exciting business events? Go to mainebiz.biz/calendar to view and post events. @

