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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 O C T O B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5 After the December 2014 collapse, Gardner told the BDN: "If we had started this the morning of the col- lapse, we'd be four years from getting the money together." Yet Gardner's past accomplish- ments and future goals go beyond the breakwater. He was successful in getting funding and partnerships to complete a study looking at restoring freight rail service to Eastport. He's been an advocate of fi nding the money to connect the city's rail lines, dormant since the days of the sardine industry, to the nearest freight terminal, about 30 miles away. In 2010, the Port of Eastport was approached to handle the export of pregnant dairy cattle. On a short deadline, Gardner worked closely with state and federal authorities to get the necessary permits. To date, the port has shipped 30,000 head of cattle to Turkey and Russia. In the case of Ocean Renewable Power, Gardner was an early supporter of eff orts to establish the Maine Tidal Energy Project, which dates to 2006. "He told us, 'I don't know if you're crazy or not, but this could be a good thing,'" Sauer recalls, speaking over the cackle of a bad cell connection from Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was caught in a snowstorm while on business. Gardner has backed ORPC with letters of support for funding applica- tions. He's spoken up on behalf of the company at public meetings. "He understands where we're at," says Sauer, adding that ORPC plans to launch a "version 2.0" of its renew- able energy design in 2017. Sauer says Gardner's power of per- suasion has grown over the years. "He's persuasive in a pleasant way," Sauer says. "I will tell you that, as he's grown older, his credibility has grown. He was always known for his sense of humor — and he still has his sense of humor. But now he's known as a man of substance." P e t e r V a n A l l e n , M a i n e b i z e d i t o r , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t P V a n a l l e n @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ M a i n e b i z E d i t o r Eastport Port Authority 3 Madison St., Eastport Executive director: Chris Gardner Business: Managing the port of Eastport. Contact: 853-4614 Portofeastport.org 877.700.6800 | mainecf.org Stewards for charitable giving. Helping donors help Maine. For the time you slipped into an old wooden canoe. For the day you spied your first moose on the shores of the Allagash River. For all Maine gives, it's no wonder we give back. PRESEN T ING SP ONSORS Save the date! Although making mistakes is one of life's great teachers, its lessons aren't always clear. Hear personal stories from our panel of CEOs about their trials and tribulations and learn how they deciphered what those lessons were, how they used them for success, and what would they do then, knowing what they know now. Register before October 9 to get the early bird discount! Gregory A. Dufour President/CEO, Camden National Bank Kate McAleer CEO, Bixby & Co. Yellow Light Breen CEO, Maine Development Foundation John Wasileski Founder and President, Sea Coast Management OUR PANELISTS INCLUDE: FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #CEOForum15 For more information visit mainebiz.biz/CEOForum Abromson Center 88 Bedford Street, Portland October 21 8:00–11:00am

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