Community Leaders
Charles Murray Charley graduated from Dartmouth College, and immediately after graduating, he started his career at G. H. Bass & Company. He left 19 years later as its CEO. Much of his career was focused on running shoe companies. Charley and his wife Amanda have lived many places, but consider Farmington their true home. Theodora J. Kalikow Over the past decade, President Kalikow has been honored by groups in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Colorado. In 2000 she received the Maryann Hartman Award from the University of Maine Women’s Studies Program. Her intelligence, hard work and focused commitment to her goals have earned her the respect of the people she has worked with and recognition by many organizations in Maine and beyond. Under President Kalikow’s watch, the 2,000-student University of Maine at Farmington has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s top public liberal arts colleges and one of the country’s top 100 public college values. She is known statewide as a model for establishing outstanding campus-community relations, an example of which was her orchestration of an innovative and successful joint fund-raising campaign with the Farmington Public Library and the University’s Mantor Library. Richard Batt Under Rick's leadership, the Franklin Community Health Network has received national recognition by the American Hospital Association as one of the nation's leading rural health care delivery systems, and was chosen by AHA as one of three sites to be visited by health care leaders from across the nation. Rick resides in Wilton, Maine with his wife Mary. They have three grown daughters. He enjoys camping and sailing. Darryl Brown Darryl resides in Livermore Falls with his wife Penny, he has four adult children. Charles LaVerdiere In his community, LaVerdiere has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Franklin Memorial Hospital, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Franklin Community Health Network. He is a past President of the Wilton Lion's Club and a past President of the Tri-Valley United Way and as Chairman of the Wilton Finance Committee. For many years, LaVerdiere has served as the Town Moderator for the Town of Wilton and is an active member of numerous charitable and fraternal organizations. He is also a Registered Maine Guide and a private pilot. LaVerdiere has been married for more than thirty years to Brenda LaVerdiere, a third grade teacher at the Academy Hill School in Wilton. They have two children, Michael, who is a chemical engineer with International Paper Company and Lisa, a civil engineer with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Stephen C. Philbrick Stephen grew up in Maine and has an Associates Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Paul Smith College, a degree in Administration from Florida International University. He is married to Fernlyn and has two sons. |
After retiring in Farmington, Charley helped found the Greater Franklin Development Corporation and served as its vice-chairman. Charley is currently the Chairman of the Board of Franklin Community Health Network/Franklin Memorial Hospital and Chairman of the Board of SeniorsPlus(a statewide agency on aging) and vice-president of our local Farmington Historical Society.
President of the University of Maine at Farmington since 1994, Dr. Theodora J. Kalikow is an unassuming individual who quietly runs one of Maine’s finest educational institutions, inspiring women, contributing to the community locally and statewide, volunteering on numerous committees and offering educational opportunities to hundreds of women and men. 
Richard Batt is the President of the Franklin Community Health Network in Farmington, Maine. Rick relocated to Maine in 1993 from Denver, where he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Joseph Hospital. Rick has two years experience in the Department of Health Education and Welfare in the Community Health Service branch, establishing community based programs. He is a former adjunct faculty member and student mentor for graduate programs in business and health care administration at Northeastern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Colorado. Rick is a founding member of the Maine Health Research Institute Advisory Board and former Chairman of the University of Maine at Farmington Board of Visitors. He is a member and former Chairman of several civic and community organizations. Rick holds a Bachelors Degree in Science from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago. 
Darryl Brown is the Co-owner and Vice President of Leibro, Inc., a Land Development Company and Maine-Land Development Consultants. Maine-Land Development Consultatns is a land use, engineering and environmental permitting company. The company has elected to remain in the greater Franklin County area because of the central location to many of the urban centers of Maine, the proximity to a quality health care facility and an outstanding branch of the State University. He has a Bachelor in Soil Science and a Masters in Agronomy both from U.M.O. He has worked extensively with soils and in community development since 1966. He is also a former member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1978-1986. Darryl has served on numerous committees throughout Maine including the Maine Associations of Professional Soil Scientists, the Maine Association of Professional Wetland Scientists and the Maine Association of Site Evaluators. 
Charles C. LaVerdiere has practiced law in Franklin County for more than twenty years. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Public Management from the University of Maine, a Master's Degree in Public Administrations from the University of Maine, and a Doctorate of Laws Degree from the University of Maine School of Law. He has served as President of the Franklin County Bar Association and is on the Board of Governors of the Council of State Governments. From 1996 to 2002, LaVerdiere served three terms in the Maine Legislatures the District 77 Representative. During that time, he served on the Utilities Committee where he served as Chairman during the 120th Legislature. 
Stephen C. Philbrick is the president of Philbrick Enterprise, Inc. which have a number of small businesses under one small company including Bald Mountain Camps on Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Great Lengths Hair Salon and a diner all in Rangely. He enjoys owning and operating businesses in Rangely and enjoys seeing the community grow and flourish. News Items
03/08/10
The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel of Farmington/Wilton was recently named a recipient of a prestigious 2010 Platinum Hospitality Award from world lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc. Their dedication to guest service and satisfaction helped the Comfort Inn rank in the top 3% of more that 4,800 Choice Hotels nationwide.
02/16/10
Seth Wescott took home the gold in his second consecutive Olympic Games! The Farmington native and Carrabassett Valley resident performed a come-from-behind victory in the snowboard-cross final at the Vancouver Olympics Monday afternoon. Congratulations Seth!
02/05/10
Over 100 people attended a debate at Dirigo High School on industrial wind energy. Topics discussed were the health effects of wind turbines, energy usage, climate change, and job creation. Greater Franklin Development Corporation hosted the event in collaboration with the Western Mountains Alliance, the Western Maine Economic Development Council, and the River Valley Growth Council.
01/29/10
The Tractor Supply Co. store on Route 2 in Wilton, across from the Comfort Inn, is planning its grand opening in March! The business will bring about 15 new jobs to the area.
01/28/10
UMF President Theodora Kalikow and the Sustainable Campus Coalition were recognized by US Representative Mike Michaud and in the Congressional Record for their efforts to achieve a clean-energy campus. In the past five years, the University has increased building space by 11%, while cutting energy costs by 5%. Earlier this month, Kalikow announced a planned "roadmap to carbon neutrality" by 2035.
01/20/10
The Poland Spring bottling plant in Kingfield is officially recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as Maine's first manufacturing facility with Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Poland Spring Kingfield recycled and diverted 91% (1,478 tons) of construction waste away from landfill disposal. It now saves 70.4 million BTU's of energy and 140,000 gallons of water each year.
01/12/10
The National Parks Service will assist with the planning of a recreational trail system that will connect the schools in Jay and Livermore Falls through the riverfront land conserved by the Androscoggin Land Trust's efforts. The trail will also connect to downtown area and the Otis Falls Mill complex, and may serve as an historical Heritage Walk.
12/23/09
A $25.4 million grant in federal stimulus money has been approved to fund the "Three Ring Binder" project. A collaboration between GWI and the UMaine System will help to create 1,100 miles of three fiber optic rings in Northern, Mid-Coast and Downeast, and Western Maine, encompassing over 110,000 households.
12/03/09
The Environmental Defense Fund released a study highlighting Poland Spring's efforts to cut carbon emissions. Poland Spring has met its goal of reducing truck fleet idling time by 70 percent from February 2007 to February 2009. New technologies, along with individual driver responsibility, have dropped their carbon output by 77 tons annually.
11/04/09
Verso Paper Corp. has been awarded a $9.3 million federal grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to implement waste energy recovery technologies at three mills in Maine and Minnesota to reduce energy by 33% overall. There will be 3 projects done at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay.
10/16/09
The Kibby Wind Power Project is up and running! On top of Kibby Mountain, 250 people, including governor John Baldacci, gathered to watch the 22 installed turbines as they generated power to the New England grid for Central Maine Power.
10/15/09
The Wausau Paper Mill in Jay has been sold to local business owners of Otis Ventures, LLC, who plan to develop the mill property into a multi-use business and industrial warehouse complex. Owners Mary Howes and Tim Demillo also own Howie's Welding in Jay.
09/15/09
Renovations to the Mt. Blue Regional School District Learning Campus were overwhelmingly approved by district voters. The $63.5 million project will include new athletic fields, on-site alternative energy fixtures, community business incubator spaces, and room for new educational programs.
08/24/09
Barclays has been named one of the best places to work in Maine for 2009. Now called the Best in Business Program and sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, this recognition was created by the Maine State Council - Society for Human Resources Management.
08/18/09
Pine Tree Orthopedics in Livermore Falls receives three-year accreditation from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics, Inc. for achievements in organizational management, patient care, quality assurance, and facility and safety management.
08/05/09
The University of Maine at Farmington and the UMaine College of Engineering have come together to offer a combined degree program. Students will complete the program in 5 years, graduating with a liberal arts BA from UMF and a BS in engineering from UMaine.
07/28/09
Sugarloaf Mountain is undergoing $1.8 million in upgrades. Construction on snowmaking pipelines and fan guns is now at full speed. Other projects include hotel renovations, lift and lift building improvements, and trail signage.
07/09/09
The state legislature has officially recognized Poland Springs for surpassing environmental sustainability goals. Poland Springs has reduced fuel usage by 46% and now recycles 96% of its waste stream.
07/07/09
Franklin Memorial Hospital receives two national awards: The Exceeding Patient Expectations award from Avatar International and named as one of the nation's "2009 Most Wired" hospitals in the Most Improved category in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.
06/05/09
TransCanada celebrated the arrival of their wind turbines to Franklin County. The first Franklin County stop was in Farmington at noon, and then the next stop was in Stratton before arriving to the final destination in Kibby Township.
06/03/09
Mount Blue High School has revealed plans for a $63 million dollar renovation.
05/21/09
Wilton received its marigold makeover today! Thousands of marigolds were planted in Bass Park by local students.
05/15/09
A new pharmacy opens in Jay! Spruce Mountain Pharmacy opened Monday and the opening was a dream come true for owner Steve Maki who has been a local area pharmacist for over 10 years.
03/17/09
TransCanada began construction on the Kibby Wind Farm in August but the sheer size of the project was put into prospective today as machinery necessary for the construction traveled through downtown Farmington on its way to the Kibby Site.
02/09/09
Darryl Brown, owner of Main-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls has been elected to chair the board of the University of Maine Foundation! Read More
02/03/09
Poland Spring held a ribbon cutting at their newest bottling plant in Kingfield, with the Governor in attendance. The state-of-the-art facility already has 40 local people working there, with plans to expand in the future.Read More
01/08/09
Maine's 55th attorney general, Janet Mills noted that she is "the first attorney general from Franklin County" Read More
12/30/08
You can now take a historic walking tour of downtown Farmington. Signs have been posted around Farmington which illustrate Farmington's rich heritage. Read More and See Pictures
12/16/08
Verso Paper Corp. in Jay has been certified to the world's largest forest certification system. Verso's four paper mills have been independently audited and certified to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody standard.
11/24/08
Nancy Marshall Communications has created a new division called Marshall Interactive. The new division will have two partnerships in Franklin County: North Wind Media of Farmington and Ross Lasley of West Freeman. Marshall and North Wind have already created their first website together.
11/22/08
New Restaurant in Wilton! The Marcellino's of New Sharon will be opening The Calzolaio Pasta Co. which will be located in the former G.H. Bass building. They intend to serve a wider variety of food including handmade pasta. Visit Their Website
11/18/08
Barclays in Wilton announces an expansion plan! They will expand from 44 to 112 workstations and create 25 new jobs in early 2009.
11/05/08
Coastal Enterprises Inc. has received a $50,000 grant to develop a senior housing complex in Farmington, which is seeking Gold level LEED certification. This certification is the highest green building and performance certification given by the LEED organization.
11/01/08
A new grocery store is coming to downtown Farmington! The Tranten family will be moving into Howard's Rexall former space and will offer full service meat and deli case, produce, beer wine and a line of groceries.
10/15/08
Congratulations to Ranor Inc, in Jay for being selected as a recipient for the 2008 Maine School Board Association Business Friend of Educations Award.
09/29/08
Congratulations Foster Applied Technology Center on receiving an MTI Grant! The $30,000 award to the Foster Applied Technology Center will be matched by $48,000 in-kind donation of time and materials to develop a model high school composites facility and curriculum. The grant will also be used to develop a mobile composites learning lab and "mold bank" to demonstrate the closed-mold, non-toxic manufacturing process to other secondary schools and community colleges.
09/19/08
Congratulations Poland Spring for being awarded as a 2008 Champion of Economic Development by Maine Development Foundation!
09/17/08
Label Shopper plans to open a store in the Jay Plaza this fall. The New York-based company buys brand-name clothing and other items and sells them at discount prices, the Jay store is expected to hire about 20 employees.
08/29/08
Work on TransCanada's $320 million Kibby Wind Power project has started on Kibby Mountain in northern Franklin County. The Kibby Wind Power Project will be the largest wind power development in New England with an estimated 22 turbines by December of 2009. TransCanada has estimated that about 250 people will be employed during the construction phase of the wind farm, and 10 to 12 permanent jobs once the project is operational.
08/11/08
Senator Olympia Snowe did more than just shop during her a two-and-a-half hour stroll through downtown Farmington. She had some lengthy conversations with merchants and other passersby about current issues, especially energy costs. Senator Snowe was guided through the town by local Senator Walter Gooley and Executive Director of Greater Franklin Development Alison Hagerstrom.
07/28/08
The nations largest $1 discount store, Dollar Tree, plans to open a store in early fall in the Jay Plaza.
07/23/08
Lafrance Hospitality hosted over 100 people at the Grand Opening of their new Comfort Inn & Suites in Wilton. This $6 million dollar facility is Lafrance Hosipitality's first Maine hotel and were happy to give back to Franklin County by donating the ribbon that was cut at the ceremony.
07/11/08
Franklin Memorial Hospital has opened it's new 58,000 square foot Medical Arts Center. The Center will have pediatrics, women's care, orthopaedics, general surgery, urology medical practices, and the Martha B. Webber Breast Care Center.
07/01/08
L.L. Bean and Barclay's announced Monday they are launching a new L.L. Bean Visa card that will provide improved customer service and a newly revamped rewards program. L.L. Bean was looking to partner with a bank that had a Maine call center and by partnering with Barclay's, L.L. Bean credit card holders can now expect to have their calls answered by someone in Wilton.
06/06/08
The Comfort Inn is now open in Wilton! The 85 room Comfort Inn and Suites welcomed its first official guest, Executive Director of Greater Franklin Development Corporation, on June 6th. Reservations can currently be made online at
www.comfortinn.com