Maine Employee Ownership fall conference

James serves as the Director of Business Development at Clark Insurance where he runs the marketing, advertising, and philanthropic engagement on behalf of the company in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. He has a degree in Psychology from Bates College and also serves as the Communications Director of the Society for Human Resource Management Maine State Council (MESHRM). An avid cribbage player and water color enthusiast, he currently resides in Portland, ME – where he is learning to enjoy 4:30am walks with his new golden retriever puppy, Emmie.

Director of Business Development - Clark Insurance

JAMES BRISSENDEN

Michelle oversees all JA of Maine operations, including strategic vision, fundraising, partnership development, and mission expansion. Michelle has been with the organization since 2010, starting her career as an intern upon college graduation and being immediately inspired by JA's mission. Michelle is passionate about helping young people make smart education and career decisions through project-based learning and mentorship. She holds an undergraduate degree in Child Development & Family Relations and Communication from the University of Maine and is a long-time dance instructor in Scarborough.

President, Junior Achievement of Maine

MICHELLE ANDERSON

Sandra specializes in financial analysis and uses research to provide valuations by assessing corporate risk, evaluating industry trends, and analyzing budgets and cash flows. She works primarily with closely held companies across a diverse array of industries, including manufacturing, professional services, retail, and high technology. 

​

Prior to joining Atlantic Management Company, Sandra spent 15 years in public accounting, focusing almost exclusively on commercial enterprises, where she worked with clients on matters including financial reporting, understanding and implementing changes in accounting guidance, assessing and strengthening internal controls, and succession planning. 

​

Sandra also assists companies and business owners with the intricacies of ESOP transactions and related accounting, in which she works with management to understand the post-transaction impacts to financial statements, debt covenants, and forecasts, as well as to provide ongoing financial consulting for existing ESOPs.

Sandra is a frequent author and presenter on topics including synthetic equity and deferred compensation, correcting retirement plan errors, ESOPs, business valuations, and updates to US GAAP.

Atlantic Management Company

SANDRA SMITH

Mary McCooe is an attorney in the corporate and employee benefit practices at Maselan & Jones, P.C, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mary frequently counsels companies, selling shareholders, and ESOP trustees in all aspects of business succession planning, ESOPs, and ESOP transactions, including drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, ERISA and Internal Revenue Code compliance, synthetic equity plans, and fiduciary duties. Mary received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law, where she was an Editor of the Boston University Law Review and a recipient of a Dean’s Award in Employee Benefits. She has been honored as a New England Super Lawyers Rising Star annually since 2016.

Maselan & Jones, P.C

MARY MCCOOE

Dawn McKenney is Occupational Safety Engineer with the Maine Department of Labor, Workplace Safety & Health Division, SafetyWorks!.  The SafetyWorks! program administers consultation and training programs known as 21(d), 23(g) and Mine Safety and Health.  Ms. McKenney has been with SafetyWorks! since 2001.  In 2007, she was promoted to Occupational Safety Engineer.  Ms. McKenney has successfully completed many OSHA classes, and is an authorized OSHA trainer to issue 10 hour and 30 hour course completion cards  for General Industry,  Construction, Shipyards, Maritime, and Longshoring.  Ms. McKenney has an Associate Degree from Mid State College. 

Occupational Safety Engineering - Maine Department of Labor, Workplace Safety & Health Division, SafetyWorks!

DAWN MCKENNEY

Tim received his BA in Business at the University of Maine at Orono in 1990.  He remained in the Central Maine area and worked in various industries before ultimately returning to his hometown of Fort Kent, Maine.  Tim began his career at Daigle Oil Company in 1997 as the credit administrator. In 1998, he assumed his current position as human resource/administrative executive.  During this time, he has served on various boards, and currently serves as the chairman of the board for MEMA’s health insurance trust, as well as serves as vice chairman for MEMA’s workers compensation insurance trust.  In 2015, Daigle Oil Company became an ESOP, and in 2017, Tim was named as a trustee of the ESOP.  He resides in Eagle Lake with his wife and daughter.

Human Resource/Administrative Executive

TIM FREEMAN