CAMDEN – Nate Cotnoir has been promoted to senior vice president, Northern Maine director of commercial banking. Based out of Bangor, Cotnoir will be responsible for managing all commercial banking activities and production in the bank’s Greater Bangor, Augusta, Waterville and Down East markets.

Nate Cotnoir Contributed photo

Cotnoir has nearly 19 years of experience in commercial banking and finance. Since 2012, he has served customers at Camden National Bank, where he’s played a vital role in developing the commercial banking business in central Maine. In 2015, he received Camden National Bank’s Commitment to Community Award. In 2016, he was recognized by the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce with their Young Professional of the Year Award, and in 2019 he graduated from Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine program.

“Nate is very dedicated to helping his customers succeed, and he’s played a key role on our commercial banking team here at Camden National Bank. He is a talented leader, and we’re proud to see him grow into his new role, serving customers and communities …,” said Ryan Smith, executive vice president of Commercial Banking at Camden National Bank, according to the release from the bank.

Cotnoir has deep ties to the community in central Maine, where he was born and raised. Heserves as the Finance Committee chairman for the board of directors for MaineGeneral Health, as well as treasurer for the board of directors of the Augusta Housing Authority. He is the past board chairman of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce. Cotnoir graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

Assistance Plus promotes Jillian Jolicoeur to chief executive officer

BENTON — Assistance Plus Inc., a 27- year old home health care, behavioral health and developmental disability agency headquartered in Benton, announced the promotion of Jillian Jolicoeur to chief executive officer.

Jillian Jolicoeur Contributed photo

Jolicoeur has been employed by Assistance Plus since April 1998, starting as a personal care assistant, and most recently serving as the organization’s chief operations officer. According to Crystal Bailey, the agency’s human resources director, the promotion is the culmination of an eight-year succession plan to immerse Jolicoeur in all aspects of the business, as CEO Johnna Bowen worked toward retirement.

She will remain in her current office location at the company’s headquarters in Benton.

Bowen said, “Jillian has played an integral role in building Assistance Plus, especially in the past eight years. She has done a remarkable job of growing the agency programs and diversifying services,” according to a news release from the agency.

Jolicoeur graduated from Lawrence High School in Fairfield, and holds both an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in nursing from Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield and the University of Fort Kent, respectively. She is certified for training of both personal support specialist and residential medication aide. She also has a master’s degree in business administration with Kaplan University.

Assistance Plus has offices in Benton, Waterville and Wilton. Behavioral services include outpatient therapy, case management, daily living skills and direct support services. Intellectual Disability services offer in-home, community, day programming/center-based and shared living. Home health care services are available one to twenty-four hours/day. Services include personal support specialists, homemakers and licensed practical and registered nurses. All of the specialty services are provided most counties of Maine with an exception of York, Cumberland, Washington and Aroostook.

Ongoing commitment to service earns local agents Century 21 2020 Quality Service Pinnacle Award

WATERVILLE — Century 21 Real Estate LLC, based in Madison, New Jersey, recently recognized the following local sales affiliates with the Century 21 2020 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award.

Recognized were Jill Huard and Sabra Hayden, both of Surette Real Estate, 113 Silver St. in Waterville.

“The Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award is an integral part of our brand’s commitment to excellence and recognizes dedication to making each and every client interaction a positive one,” said Michael Miedler, president and chief executive officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC, according to a news release from the company.

The annual award is based on results from the Quality Service Survey which is emailed to consumers immediately after the purchase or sale of a home. To earn the award, an agent must receive completed customer surveys for at least 50% of their transactions surveyed from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, with an average survey score of at least 95% or better for two consecutive years.

Each recipient will receive a customized glass trophy, in addition to being recognized at the Century 21 Global Conference.

Don Harden honored with 2021 Ikaria Award

LEWISTON — Don Harden was honored with the 2021 Ikaria Award for his work with older people at the annual Fill the Plate Breakfast held March 19. The event benefitted Meals on Wheels at SeniorsPlus, the designated Area Agency on Aging for Western Maine. Richard Blanco, 2013 presidential inaugural poet, was the keynote speaker. Proceeds benefited Meals on Wheels of Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

Don Harden

The Ikaria Award honors an individual in the community for singular and outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of older adults. Harden is the former director of Aging Services at Catholic Charities Maine where he was employed for 40 years. He is a founding board member of the Maine Council on Aging where he serves as vice chairman. He has been active on committees and a legislative commission to address long-term care workforce challenges.

In her presentation of the Ikaria Award to Harden, Betsy Sawyer-Manter, president and CEO of SeniorsPlus said, “I have come to know Don very well over the past 12 years and turn to him for wise counsel from time to time. He is the epitome of healthy aging and is known as the EF Hutton of the aging world. When he speaks we listen. He refers to himself as evolutionary, not revolutionary, but I believe he is truly a bit of both,” according to a news release from the agency

Ikaria is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is considered one of the world’s five “Blue Zones” — places where an estimated one in three members of the population regularly lives an active life into their 90s.

The Fill the Plate Breakfast was presented in conjunction with March for Meals, a national campaign of the Meals on Wheels America.

An award-winning poet and memoirist, Blanco shared selections from his works and thoughts on the theme of “Sustenance: My Food, My Culture, My Elders.”

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation lists Community Matters More winners and grant recipients

BANGOR — COVID-19 relief, youth programming and development, animal assistance and basic needs — just some of the services provided by the Maine and New Hampshire-based nonprofits selected by the public to receive grants through the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation’s 2021 Community Matters More program.

With thousands of votes submitted, more than $140,000 in grants will be awarded to 44 nonprofits in 11 geographical regions across Maine and New Hampshire. The organization with the most votes in each region will receive a $5,000 grant, while runner-up nonprofits and write-in organizations will receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.

Established in 2007, the Community Matters More program focuses on local nonprofits that are making a difference in their communities and calls on Maine and New Hampshire residents to help decide the winners through a public vote. Over the past 14 years, the program has distributed more than $1.5 million to more than 500 organizations that matter most to Mainers and Granite Staters.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for residents in Maine and New Hampshire to vote for and give back to local nonprofits that are meaningful to them,” said Bangor Savings Bank Foundation Chairperson Joyce Clark Sarnacki, according to a news release from the bank. “Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in strengthening our communities. We look forward to seeing how these grant recipients will use these funds in ways most important to them. We continue to be very grateful for their contributions to the well-being of their communities.”

Deepening its commitment to meeting the needs of the communities it serves, the foundation has awarded more than $40,000 in additional grants during its recent $2,000 to $5,000 grant program. The funds went toward mental health and recovery centers, home health and hospice hospital systems, and organizations providing food and shelter to the region’s most vulnerable populations.

“These grants demonstrate the foundation’s commitment to further helping these organizations and our communities where needs are the greatest,” said Clark Sarnacki. “We appreciate all that these organizations do and recognize the positive impact they make in their communities.”

The local 2021 Community Matters More grant recipients are:
Androscoggin/Franklin/Oxford counties
Tree Street Youth ($5,000) / Mahoosuc Land Trust ($4,000) / Museum LA ($3,000) / Greater Androscoggin Humane Society ($1,000 Write-In Winner)

Kennebec/Somerset counties
Somerset Humane Society ($5,000) / The Children’s Center ($4,000) / Bounce Back Maine ($3,000) / Waterville Humane Society ($1,000 Write-In Winner)

Knox/Lincoln/Sagadahoc/Waldo counties
New Hope for Women ($5,000) / Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center ($4,000) / Our Town Belfast ($3,000) / PAWS Animal Adoption Center ($1,000 Write-In Winner)

$2,000 – $5,000 Grant Program recipients:
Dexter Age-Friendly Community Committee $2,500 Dexter, Penobscot County, Maine
Healthy Homeworks $3,000 Lewiston, Androscoggin, Maine
Kennebec Valley Mental Health Center $5,000 Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine
Larry Labonte Recovery Center $3,000 Rumford, Oxford County, Maine

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