October 2008 Archive

Mila Tappan, Outreach Representative at the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), has been awarded the Candance Johnson Vinette Award for Distinguished Service by the Maine Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) at the organization’s recent MASFAA annual meeting in Rockport.

The award is given periodically to an individual who has made special contributions of energy, spirit and dedication to increase access to higher education for the citizens of Maine, and who has, by example, inspired others to greater professionalism in the financial aid community.  The award is named for the late Candance Johnson Vinette (June 22, 1952 - January 7, 1990), who was an Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of Maine at Farmington.  Vinette was a beloved colleague and friend to many and a person who contributed tremendously to the professional and personal lives of those around her.

Tappan recently joined FAME, where she works as an Outreach Representative.  Her areas of responsibility include providing financial aid information and outreach to middle schools, high schools, adult learners and post secondary institutions, as well as providing outreach and support for the Harold Alfond College Challenge.

"We are proud that Mila’s excellent reputation in Maine’s financial aid community has been recognized by MASFAA and congratulate her on this impressive honor,” stated FAME Acting CEO Beth Bordowitz.  “Maine students and FAME are fortunate to have Mila working for us in the fields of outreach and education.  We are particularly pleased that, for the second year in a row, a FAME employee has been honored with this award; Mary Dyer having been last year’s recipient,” she added.

Prior to joining FAME, Tappan worked as an Associate Director of Financial Aid at the University of Maine, where she was employed for sixteen years.  She was an active member of MASFAA and served as MASFAA President last year.  She also is a long-time member of the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA), and is currently serving as chair of the EASFAA Leadership Development Committee.  She has served as a NASFAA trainer and has presented numerous workshops and sessions around the state over the years.  

Tappan graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Public Management.  After concluding graduate work and a teaching assistantship in 1990, she worked for the Maine State Legislature as a Research Assistant in the areas of education, transportation and labor relations.  She currently resides in Bangor with her husband and two children.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a dinner and awards banquet on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at Portland’s Holiday Inn By the Bay.  The event, “Showcase Maine,” will feature awards, a retrospective of FAME’s accomplishments over the years, and a keynote speech by famed Maine cabinetmaker Thomas Moser.

Showcase Maine will celebrate the many successful partnerships FAME has forged over twenty-five years with Maine’s business, higher education, and governmental communities.  The evening will feature a reception, including booth displays by various business and educational organizations that partner with FAME; a dinner and awards presentation; a retrospective of FAME’s twenty-five years; and a keynote speech by Thomas Moser, Maine’s premier cabinetmaker and a former FAME customer.

"We look forward to celebrating 25 years of FAME’s contributions to the State of Maine,” stated Beth Bordowitz, FAME’s Acting CEO.  “Crucial to FAME’s success in providing innovative financial solutions to Maine’s business and higher education communities are the diverse partnerships we’ve forged over the years.  Together we’ve made business and education work for Maine’s economy, and Showcase Maine is a great opportunity to celebrate these successes.”

In addition to the reception showcasing various Maine business and educational organizations, the evening will include the presentation of a number of awards by FAME.  This year’s recipients include:  Industry and Energy Associates, LLC (Business at Work for Maine Award), a Portland company that provides engineering, project management, and construction management services for the energy marketplace; Cianbro Corp. (Education at Work for Maine Award), an employee-owned company that provides construction and service solutions throughout North America, and offers a wide range of innovative educational opportunities for employees; Jack Cashman (Dirigo Award for Business), Commissioner at the Maine Public Utilities Commission and former senior economic advisor to Governor John E. Baldacci and former Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development; Scott Voisine (Dirigo Award for Education), Director of Student Affairs at the University of Maine at Fort Kent; and Farm Credit of Maine (Financial Institution of the Year Award), a member-owned financial institution that provides commercial credit to family businesses in Maine’s farming, forestry, and fishing industries, as well as the state’s rural communities.

Thomas Moser, President and Founder of Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, will deliver an upbeat keynote address on Maine’s economic potential entitled “The Piscataqua River Bridge:  Gateway to the Future.”  Moser, a former FAME customer, launched his company with his wife, Mary, in April 1972 via an advertisement in Down East magazine.  What began as an intense exploration of craftsmanship has evolved into a world-renown Maine-based business that employs more than 120 people, and has residential, professional and academic customers worldwide.

Those interested in attending Showcase Maine may register online at www.famemaine.com or contact FAME at (800) 228-3734.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), the Maine Association of Community Banks, and the Maine Bankers Association jointly announced today that Maine’s financial institutions continue to assist businesses with their financing needs.  The banks are well-capitalized and available to offer financial assistance to Maine businesses, despite national economic woes.  FAME provides loan insurance to banks to help them assist borrowers who otherwise might be unable to obtain financing.

"FAME and Maine’s banking industry have the capacity and willingness to make commercial loans, despite these challenging economic times,” stated Beth Bordowitz, Acting CEO of FAME.  "We continue to partner with Maine lending institutions, regional economic development agencies, and businesses in order to strengthen the economy and preserve and grow Maine jobs.” 

At its September monthly meeting in Fort Kent, the FAME Board approved $500,000 in new economic recovery loan funding for Prime Tanning Co., Inc., in Hartland, helping to preserve 258 Maine jobs.  The Board also voted to provide commercial loan insurance on three Bangor Savings Bank loans totaling $2.1 million for the financing of Apothecary by Design, LLC, a Portland-based start-up company that expects to employ 19 workers. 

Since July 1, 2008, FAME has implemented commercial loan insurance for 41 loans, assisting Maine banks in loaning approximately $11 million to Maine businesses to create and retain 840 Maine jobs.

"Maine banks are adequately capitalized and ready to serve our customers,” emphasized Christopher W. Pinkham, President of the Maine Association of Community Banks.  “Unlike some lending institutions in other states, Maine banks are ready, willing and able to meet the needs of our customers.”

Joseph J. Pietroski, Jr., President and Treasurer of the Maine Bankers Association, stated:  "Despite the national upheaval in financial markets, Maine banks are able to lend money at this time due to our prudent lending and reserve policies.  Maine citizens should continue to have confidence in their lending institutions and contact their local banks for their business and personal needs.”

FAME is a quasi-independent state agency that provides innovative financial solutions to help Maine citizens pursue business and educational opportunities.  To learn more about FAME, please visit www.famemaine.com or call (800) 228-3734.

The Maine Association of Community Banks provides community-oriented banks with a forum to exchange valuable industry information; gain maximum representation in state and federal legislative and regulatory matters; receive education, training and staff certification; and wield greater collective purchasing power.  For more information, please visit www.mecb.com or call (207) 791-8400.

The Maine Bankers Association is a financial services industry trade organization representing the interests of Maine's banking industry, trust companies, and financial service providers.  Maine Bankers Association exists to advocate for the industry, to facilitate communication amongst its membership, and to provide educational, training and regulatory services.  For more information, please visit www.mainebankers.com or call (207) 622-6131.