My story:First legitimate job was building boats in Bristol, RI. At 17 I was head resin mixer–being the only non management person able to calculate the mix ratios.Next I worked for a serial entrepreneur in Cleveland, during my summer and winter breaks from college, working on R&D projects from automotive sound dampeners to composite mountain bikes.Post college my previous employer offered my choice of projects to work on. I chose the newest project–developing a neglected property on Cleveland’s lakefront into a premier marina and public park. I was hands-on in the design and construction of the facility, followed by building and running the organization.Eager to find the next growth opportunity–I returned to the R&D arm of the company. We launched medical devices, ski helmets and shoe components, gaining a patent and traveling to the Dominican Republic to establish a production line. With a desire to branch out and develop skills, I went to Harvard to get my MBA. Amazing people and instrumental in honing my experience into business skillsThere was a girl who became my wife, and she had ties to Maine, which we both fell in love with, so we moved there. Passionate and optimistic about the promise of photovoltaic power, I helped transform a small solar company from a provider of $5k-$30k remote PV systems to installing $million+ utility interfaced systems.Next I joined a lobster processing start-up, designing and building the processing plant, hiring and managing staff, and figuring out how to sell an innovative new product line. I managed sales and partnerships (traveling as far as China) that helped us grow to be the largest lobster processor in the state.From there I joined the largest, vertically integrated cannabis company in Maine, just as increasing competition was eating revenue and threatening a sale to the largest investor. I found a team that was disheartened, frustrated, and not communicating well. I empowered the team to make changes and improvements–with a “why not?” attitude that helped us regain leadership in the market. Through innovative transformation of our retail and product experience we held our revenue as hundreds of new competitors entered the market.I currently sit on the board of directors for one of Maine’s largest landowners and a pioneer in sustainable forestry.In my spare time I was GC, plumber and electrician for an addition to my house, I mentor with Maine Center for Entrepreneurship, and spend as much time as I can in Maine’s outdoors–on the water, hitting the slopes, or walking in the woods.