Lewiston – Sharon Deveau-Handy will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston on Thursday, September 8.  Her topic is “It’s Not Your Grandparents Evening News,” how technology has changed and is changing the news.

Sharon Deveau-Handy has covered the news in Lewiston-Auburn and southern Maine for nearly 40 years. A native of Bangor, she grew up in the Orono/Old Town area.  The reporting of Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, who uncovered the Nixon Administration’s role in the Watergate break-in, led Deveau-Handy to pursue journalism as a career. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in journalism in 1978.  Her first job after graduation brought her to Lewiston and she liked Lewiston-Auburn so much she never left.  Over the course of 20 years at the Lewiston Sun-Journal, she worked her way up from a general assignment reporter to covering police, fire and business beats before moving to editorial duties. She has been the assignment editor at WMTW-TV, Channel 8, since 1998. The news team at WMTW has been recognized by the Maine Association of Broadcasters for its Election Night coverage and has won several regional Edward R. Murrow awards, most recently for their coverage of the blizzard in January 2015.She also won a Maine Association of Broadcasters award in the category of Public Affairs for an exclusive report in 2006 detailing tax liens that had been imposed on a candidate for governor. Deveau-Handy is also active in the community. She recently became chair of the Board of Directors for Literacy Volunteers Androscoggin and is president of the Lewiston High School Performing Arts Boosters.  She and her husband Jim Handy are parents of three adult children, all of whom live and work in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

FMI on other Rotary programs and events contact Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov.

Young Entrepreneur Thomas Jumper to Visit L. A. Rotary August 4

 

 

Lewiston – Thomas Jumper, at junior at Lewiston High School and one of Lewiston youngest and successful entrepreneurs, is the featured guest speaker for the Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club on Thursday, August 4 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston.  In September 2015,    Jumper, launched a company, PhoBoCo,  with the guidance and support  from his brother, Ben and his mentor, Peter Geiger.  PhoBoCo was a project of while Jumper was a student enrolled  in the Lewiston Regional Technical Centers Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Thomas has been a straight A student, Boys’ State delegate, a student representative on the Lewiston School Committee, participates as a two sport athlete, and currently as a small business owner.  PhoBoCo brings fun and excitement to many different events including weddings, birthday parties, proms , corporate events, high school reunions and many more memorable occasions.  PhoBoCo is more than just a photo booth, it’s an experience.  It’s as easy as one, two, three…pick a prop, strike a pose and smile!  Visit booking@PhoBoCo.com.  FMI on future Rotary speakers contact Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

PROJECT TIPPING POINT FOUNDER, SHANNA COX, TO ADDRESS LA ROTARY 8.11

 

 

Lewiston - Shanna Cox, founder and principal consultant of Project Tipping Point, a collaborative catalyst for transformative advancement in Lewiston-Auburn will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary on Thursday, August 11 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston.  Cox develops skilled leaders through interactive training, robust networking connections, and continued support.  As principal consultant, Cox guides and coaches clients—whether entire organizations, small businesses, or individuals—to advance their thinking and embrace collaborative approaches to transformation within their communities. She offers strategic training, board development and capacity building, as well as community, inclusive, and strategic planning. Cox exudes passion with her work. Her undeniable drive stems from real life experiences; she has learned that you must advocate for what you believe in; that nothing is a given right in today’s world; and that the work you do should be bigger than yourself. This awakening has guided her career path – from her work in housing, public health, and community development to her current role in collaborative leadership and consulting.  FMI on future Rotary programs contact Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

 

Millhime ACT Scheduled for 8.18 at LA Rotary

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, August 18 veteran Rotarian, Monica Millhime, will be the featured guest speaker of Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston.  Millhime will share the principles of ACT – Aspirations, Commitment and Transitions, as it relates to her Business / Education classification.  Millhime embarked upon her corporate career at the Sun Journal (SJ) as a graphic designer and ultimately was named  as the Advertising Manager and a Department Head.   She was an integral part of the Diversification Team as the Explore Maine New Media Director, Northeast Data Solutions Vice-President of Sales/Marketing, and Franchise Dealer for Val-Pak of Maine.  Millhime served as Maine’s first woman President of the New England Newspaper Advertising Executive Association prior to her departure from the SJ to complete a degree in Education.   As a Substitute Teacher in Lisbon,  she transitioned to the district-wide Community Resource Coordinator facilitating marketing; grant writing, and advisor capacities for students with yearbooks and co-curricular programs.  She currently covers five counties for  Western Maine Community Action, at the Lewiston CareerCenter, as an Employment and Training Business Specialist, developing and coordinating employer diver projects with Ready2Work and on-the-job training programs.   Millhime serves on the Rotary Board as Program Chair and is a Paul Harris Fellow.  FMI on Rotary Programs call 753.9040. 

 

Eric Agren Scheduled for 8.25 as LA Rotary Guest Speaker

 

 

Lewiston - Eric Agren will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary on Thursday, August 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, sharing the Agren story on Entrepreneurship.  Agren is part of the family that owns and operates Agren, Maine's largest appliance and mattress retailer.  Eric has been involved in the appliance industry for 30 years, working for appliance focused web development companies, buying groups and manufacturers before returning to the family business to help with daily operations.  Today, Eric is involved in all aspects of the business, with a special focus on customer service.  FMI on future Rotary programs contact Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

Veteran Rotarian Ray Martel to Address Fellowship on September 15

 

 

Lewiston - Raymond Martel, owner of Spiller’s in Lewiston, will be the featured guest speaker for the Lewiston Auburn Rotary Club on Thursday, September 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston.  Martel has been a Rotarian since 1982 embarking on a sales position for Spiller’s in 1978.  He was named the General Manager in 1980 and Vice President in 1982.   Martel purchased the Company in 1984. In 2002 the Company had expanded throughout the New England states with four locations. During that time, along with his wife, Rhonda,  founded RGM Leasing in 1986.  In 2007,  with my son, Chris, he established AEM Self Storage.  He is a past President and a Paul Harris Fellow.   He has served as Sargent-at-Arms, on the Board of Directors, Scholarship Chair, and on the Vocational Service Committee.  Martel has numerous affiliations with civic activities including Marcotte Nursing Home Finance Committee, St. Mary’s Hospital, Youth Hockey, Junior Achievement, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Lewiston Development Corp., Holy Cross and St. Dom’s Academy, Central Maine Community College, United Way, and the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council.  He cherishes spending time with his grandchildren, enjoys tennis, and golf, jet skiing, skiing and snowmobiling.  FMI on future guest speakers contact Rotary Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov.

Rotary District Governor Joly to Address Fellowship 7.28

 

Lewiston –District Governor Jean-Louis Joly will visit the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club at noon at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, on Thursday, July 28.  Joly has been a Rotarian since 1998.  He has participated in the Rotary life as President of his Club in 2005-2006. He served as a Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team leader in 2008 in Vénézuela. He served as GSE co-chairman for four  years for his District and was in charge of Rotaract during three years.  Joly also served as Assistant District Governor (ADG) from 2012 to 2014. Joly served as President of the International Committee for his Club from 2013 to 2015. Joyfully he has assisted at the Rotary International Convention of Montreal, Bangkok and Lisbon. In 2015 he traveled to Cambodia for a three week mission with Rotary and  the Terre Sans Frontières, (meaning in French Earth Without Borders-TSF).  He is married to Danielle Plante. They have two children who are  Alumni of the Youth Exchange Program, both traveled to Brazil. Joly is a retired engineer who was involved with dam regulation and environment impact assessment studies of industrial projects. He worked for the Environment Department of the Province of Quebec for years.  FMI on upcoming presentations contract Rotary Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

 

Eric Agren Scheduled for 8.25 as LA Rotary Guest Speaker

 

 

Lewiston - Eric Agren will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary on Thursday, August 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, sharing the Agren story on Entrepreneurship.  Agren is part of the family that owns and operates Agren, Maine's largest appliance and mattress retailer.  Eric has been involved in the appliance industry for 30 years, working for appliance focused web development companies, buying groups and manufacturers before returning to the family business to help with daily operations.  Today, Eric is involved in all aspects of the business, with a special focus on customer service.  FMI on future Rotary programs contact Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov.