The 2025 Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner will foster the theme Seeds of Growth, implying a focus on fostering development, progress, and the nurturing of new ideas, initiatives, and relationships within the organization and community, says SLRCC President and CEO Amber Rankine.
“The theme "Seeds of Growth" implies a focus on fostering development, both personally and collectively, with a forward-looking approach that values continuous improvement and sustainable progress,” Rankine said. “The metaphor of seeds emphasizes the importance of planting the right foundations and cultivating an environment where growth can take root and flourish over time.”
The chamber’s annual meeting and awards dinner will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Road in Casco. It will begin with a social hour and a welcome, followed by a meal and a guest speaker and then the presentation of awards for 2024.
Rankine said that the 2024 Businessperson of the Year Award will go to Hayley Moon. This award recognizes an individual or business operating in our region that has set an example in leadership, innovation and quality, and/or has provided noteworthy economic opportunity to the people of the Sebago Lakes Region.
The Community Leadership Awards will be presented to two recipients. Timothy Graham of Modern Woodman and a posthumous award to Lyle Merrifield of Merrifield Farm. This award recognizes a civic-minded individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in the Sebago Lakes Region. Rankine said that nominees for Community Leadership Awards should be passionate about a cause, work tirelessly for the greater good and inspire others to become involved in their community, and are not required to be a chamber member.
Lastly, the Frank Koenig Chamber Hall of Fame will be presented to Sandy Donnelly posthumously. This highly distinguished honor is presented to an individual whose commitment of time, resources and talent have made the Sebago Lakes Region a better place to pursue one’s livelihood and dreams.
Rankine said that Frank Koenig was passionate about the Chamber and worked tirelessly for the betterment of our region and his local Chamber of Commerce. Like Frank, she said Donnelly was passionate and an active contributor to the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and made an impact on the Chamber and the local community while maintaining the highest integrity.
This year, the Chamber will install four new Board Members and a new Treasurer during the annual meeting.
New Board Members include Tom Nash of Windham Adult Education to replace Michael Paradise, Denise Clavate of the Town of Gray to replace Laurie Noel, John Daniel of Edwards Jones to replace Pete Neelon and Lindsay Drumm of Saint Joseph’s College to replace Shelli Pride. The terms of Paradise, Noel, Neelon and Pride have expired. The new Treasurer will be Sara Thomas of Androscoggin Bank, replacing Maxwell Bangs. Also retiring from the chamber board this year are Joe Mclean and Maureen Lasalle.
“The annual meeting for the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce serves as a gathering for local business owners, community leaders, and stakeholders,” said Rankine. “It's an opportunity to network, discuss key issues, and look back on the achievements of this past year while planning for the future.”
Rankin says the Chamber plans to enhance community engagement, support local businesses, and strengthen the organization’s presence and influence in 2025.
This year’s annual meeting and awards dinner sponsors include Sabre Yachts as the Happy Hour Sponsor, CCFCU as the Music Sponsor, Saint Joseph’s College as the Award Plaques Sponsor, and this year’s Signature Sponsor is Maine Community Bank.
Rankine has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce since Oct. 1, succeeding Robin Mullins in the leadership position for the Chamber.
“So far it has been an amazing community, I have already made such amazing connections, and I am looking forward to the growth of those connections and continuing to build those new relationships in 2025,” says Rankine.
Rankine previously served as the Executive Director at the Greater Fort Kent Area Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce was launched 60 years ago by a group of innovative business owners and was called the North Windham Business Association. It is now made up of 14 Board Directors and seven officers whose mission is to foster economic growth and prosperity throughout the region. <
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