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V O L . X X X I I N O. X I M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 6 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 forestland abutting Noyes Mountain Preserve, expanding one of the region's most popular outdoor destinations and protecting a significant block of contigu- ous forest critical to the water quality of Lake Pennesseewassee and the Androscoggin River. Norway Savings Bank said it donated $15,000 to the Beth Cossey Catalyst Fund, a new education-focused initiative dedicated to fostering creativity and com- munity engagement, at the Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton. Cossey, a museum trustee, passed away in October 2024. Norway Savings Bank donated $10,000 to Mission Working Dogs in Oxford. Rinck Advertising in Lewiston an- nounced that Kristel Wagner, admin- istrative services director, retired after 20 years with the agency and more than 30 years working in marketing and communications in Maine. Thomas College in Waterville announced the retirement of Professor Roberta Tibbetts after serving as a faculty member for 55 years. A 1969 and 1971 alumna of the college, Tibbetts was an associate professor of management and served as the college's Future Business For the life you choose. 1.888.725.2207 norwaysavings.bank/lets-talk M E M B E R F D I C Consistency that helps move your business forward. Running a business means navigating change. Markets shift. Plans evolve. But strong business relationships should be constant. For 160 years, Norway Savings Bank has supported businesses through every cycle, every challenge, and every opportunity. Our team is built on consistency—local experts who know your business, understand your industry, and are there to help keep it moving forward. Because when everything else changes, the right team stays with you. Plans change. Relationships endure. Business banking that starts with you. Danielle Frechette, River's Edge Spa & Salon A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y F r a n c i s E b e r l e , P r i c e A s s o c i a t e s Q: How can I build a leadership pipeline in my small business? ACE advises: After reading a Korn Ferry article and reflecting on my coaching clients, I realized we often view problems in isolated parts instead of as systems. Fix this or fix that and move on. In mid-size or small businesses, leadership changes are felt immediately. When one person leaves, gets over- whelmed or steps away, the impact is palpable. "Companies with a strong leadership pipeline are … 2.9 times more likely to have a high success rate when filling leadership roles internally," according to the DDI Global Research Forecast. Building a leadership pipeline isn't a luxury — it's systemic and a necessity for stability and growth. For small business leaders, developing future leaders starts with everyday work. Look at who you have, and their potential will show if they: Take ownership without being asked Solve problems for others Care about how decisions affect customers and coworkers. Giving these individuals chances to lead a project, mentor a teammate or make decisions builds leadership muscle without adding layers of bureaucracy. Be patient. New leader s are still close to the work and now they must prioritize, delegate and think beyond their own tasks. Clear expectations, regular check-ins and honest feedback help them succeed. Even informal mentoring can provide critical perspective and confidence. This is a tran- sition for a new leader. When people understand what leadership looks like and how they can grow into it, they stay engaged and invested. Over time, this creates flexibility: others can step in, deci- sions don't bottleneck and the business becomes less dependent on any single individual. Adam Grant, an orga- nizational expert, says, "The best leaders don't create fol- lowers; they inspire others to become leaders." A strong leadership pipeline helps small businesses scale sustainably. It protects the owner's time, strengthens the team and creates a foundation for long-term success. The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit made up of inde- pendent 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. Francis Eberle an Association for Consulting Expertise board mem- ber, is affiliated with Price Associates and is a leadership and organizational advisor, speaker and author. He can be reached at francis@price-associates.com.

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