one d1D - Making it in Maine – The New Face of Manufacturing in Maine
Moderator:
Lisa Martin, Director, Manufacturers Association of Maine
Lisa Martin chairs the Maine Technology Institute Precision Manufacturing Board, chairs the Business & Industry Committee on the Maine Jobs Council and is an Alumni of the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine Mu Class. She holds a BA from University of Southern Maine, a Master of Science degree in Community Economic Development (CED) from New Hampshire College and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Lisa lives in her home town of Portland.
Speakers:
Paul A. Meserve, VP, Saunders Electronics
Paul Meserve is a lifelong Mainer and University of Maine Business School graduate, Paul has spent the last 20 years transforming a small research and development facility into a robust electronic manufacturing services (EMS) company. Paul is actively serving on the Manufacturers Association of Maine’s board of directors. Paul is a both a strong believer in the State of Maine and an advocate for the State’s dedicated and highly skilled manufacturers. Paul lives in Portland with his wife and two girls.
Beth Shissler, CEO and co-owner, Seabags
Beth Shissler, co-owner and President of Sea Bags was born and raised in Maine and like so many young people, left the state to go to College and Grad School to go on to get real world experience. In her former life of working for global companies such as Philips Electronics (Netherlands) and Northern Telecom (Canada), Beth traveled the world and gained critical business experience. In her job as Director Global Accounts at Philips Semiconductors, Shissler managed a $151 million distributor. When the time came when she wanted to be home in Maine full time and not traveling to Europe and Asia, a subsequent partnership in Sea Bags gave her the perfect opportunity. Beth says: “For me, Sea Bags was the perfect draw home…I love the working waterfront and the sense of entrepreneurship that Maine induces. All of my previous experience has helped build a sustainable brand and company in Sea Bags on the Portland waterfront. " Shissler and business partner, Hannah Kubiak, decided early on to start their company with product that is made in Maine. Committing to keeping manufacturing local has required a level of creativity in itself, and also a tight business plan. Sea Bags is in their 4th year since incorporating and has reached every growth milestone in terms of revenue, profitability, employees and manufacturing yield. The product has been recognized in publications from NY Times, to Vogue, Martha Stewart and Oprah. In terms of the success of the Sea Bags’ products, she says: “Our customers are looking for products that have classic quality, but which also adhere to and endorse recycling practices…they actively search for products from companies that believe in giving back to the community.” Beth feels that success is two-way street and believes strongly in the company’s responsibility to help in the community. The company's most rewarding compliments came in the form of local recognition awards from SMCC's Entrepreneurial Center, Portland's Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Maine Cancer Foundation.
Roland Wyman, Director of Sales, Engineered Automation of Maine
Roland Wyman a Scarborough Me based company in operation since 1988 that provides custom designed automated machinery for plastics assembly and packaging, servicing the media industry, medical products industry, and automotive products. EAM Inc has also developed a standard line of products for the application of security (anti-theft) tags and RFID tags. Roland Wyman began his career as an electronics instructor for the US Air Force. Went on to work for a Maine based company (Shape Inc, Biddeford Me) automating the manufacturing of audio cassettes, VHS tapes, and eventually CD’s. Led the development of a ID coding system for VHS cassettes while working for a UK company (TA Ltd) during the late 80’s. Has been with EAM Inc since 1995 finding applications for EAM’s inventive ways of designing automation. EAM has supplied companies such as Technicolor, Sony, Warner Bros.
Ron Fish, Director, Maine Aerospace Alliance
Ron Fish is the Director of the Maine Aerospace Alliance under the Manufacturers’ Association of Maine. He holds a BSEE from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Fish has been in the Aerospace field for 30 years as an Engineer and Business Development specialist.
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