Maria Fox, Partner/Chair of ADR Practice Group, Murray Plumb & Murray, Attorneys at Law
Paid Family Medical Leave: What Employers Need to Know
In July 2023, Maine became the thirteenth state to enact a mandatory state paid family and medical leave system. Under this system, private and public sector workers will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid time off for family or medical reasons, including illness, to care for a relative or for the birth of a child. Payroll contributions to support this program will begin in January 2025; are you ready?
In addition to being a seasoned employment law expert with over 20 years of experience, Maria Fox was recently appointed to the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority, an fifteen member committee tasked with advising on the implementation and administration of the new program. Maria will give us a behind-the-scenes look into the latest updates on the rules, administration, and enforcement of the PFML program. Bring your questions!
Lunch Presenters
Keith Pabian, Founding Partner of Pabian Law, Co-Founder/CEO of Seasonal Connect
Understanding the Basics, Key Updates and Latest Trends in the H-2B Visa Program
With his extensive experience working with hospitality organizations nationwide, Keith will guide attendees through the fundamental aspects of the H-2B visa process, highlight key updates and regulatory changes, and explore the latest trends impacting the H2-B visa program. Whether you’re new to the H-2B visa or looking to stay ahead of recent developments, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge to effectively manage staffing needs and navigate the complexities of immigration law. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a leader in the field.
How a Strategic Benefits Plan Can Help Attract and Retain Talent
Kim Rummler, Senior Manager of HR Consulting & Compensation, KMA HR Consulting
Discover how implementing a well-designed benefits strategy can become the ultimate tool for drawing top talent and ensuring long-term employee satisfaction. Delve into innovative approaches and actionable insights presented by KMA HR Consulting that can transform your benefits offerings and elevate your recruitment and retention efforts. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your HR strategy!
Panel: Employee Housing Solutions
Erik Jorgensen currently serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations and Communications for MaineHousing, Maine's public housing agency charged with expanding affordable housing for low and moderate income families and individuals in Maine. He is a former state legislator, with eight years of experience serving on Maine's budget writing Appropriations committee. He has over 25 years of experience leading organizations in Maine's cultural, philanthropic, museum, and housing sectors.
John Egan is Senior Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives at the Genesis Fund, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) which connects communities creating affordable housing and other essential community resources with capital and expertise. John leads a statewide partnership project that customizes in-person and virtual training to build community capacity to create affordable housing, potentially with funding from MaineHousing. Prior to joining Genesis, John’s 30-plus years of community development experience include 20 years at CEI, Inc. as a housing developer and lender and as chief investment officer. At MaineHousing, he was the manager of multifamily programs. John also has worked with nonprofit agencies in Alaska to develop and manage a variety of multifamily and special-needs housing projects.
Laura Mitchell is the Executive Director of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, a membership organization representing more than 130 private and public sector organizations, including developers, architects, engineers, builders, investors, Community Action agencies, public housing authorities, housing and service providers, advocates and others committed to ensuring that all Mainers are adequately and affordably housed. Laura Mitchell brings fifteen years of experience in managing programs, and management consulting in the nonprofit and business sectors in Maine. Laura has directed programs at the United Way of Eastern Maine, Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, and worked for Eastern Maine Development Corporation. Laura also gained experience working in commercial real estate in Boston, and for a start up in San Francisco.
Panel: Recovery Friendly Workplaces and Fair Chance Hiring
Brittany Reichmann serves as the Statewide Business Advisor on the Recovery Friendly Workplace Maine team at the Pine Tree Institute. Brittany is a lifelong Maine resident. She is passionate about the expansion of services for those facing substance use struggles, hugely in part because of her own experience. Brittany has worked in the recovery field in both administrative and managerial roles since 2019. Utilizing her professional skills in the field and watching people find their way to recovery is something she finds extremely fulfilling.
Colby Marvin Bracy is the Human Resources Director at The Nonantum Resort and the owner of Hello Humans HR Consulting. Colby cares deeply for others, and strives to live by The Nonantum's mission, Raising People Up, every day. She has helped The Nonantum - an independently-owned, seasonal business - think outside the box and develop a robust selection of non-traditional employee benefits. She currently serves as the Vice-Chair and DEI Committee Chair of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce, sits on the Board of Directors for Recovery Friendly Workplace Maine, and is on the Board of Visitors at Longcreek Youth Development Center.
In her current role, Molly provides leadership to the Greater Portsmouth Recovery Coalition, Recovery Ready York County, and Maine's Recovery Friendly Workplace Program. Molly has worked in community coalition building and leadership for the last 8 years in York County, Maine. She specializes in trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches and holistic community solutions. Molly was the Director of the Children's Advocacy Center of York County for 7 years, convening the community's multidisciplinary response to child sexual abuse. Molly has worked directly with children, families, and communities for the last 11 years. Molly holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Theory from Guilford College.
Panel: Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Veterans
With over seven years of hands-on diverse veteran advocacy and service experience, Leo Deon leads veteran employment operations for the Maine Department of Labor as the Veterans' Program Manager. With a passion for assisting veterans, Leo chairs the Franklin County Maine Military and Community Network Regional Group and actively contributes to numerous veteran based groups and organizations throughout Maine. Leo is a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. During his military service, in addition to his normally assigned duties, he provided inspirational leadership by mentoring service members with professional development, military skills translation and civilian transition coaching.
Bill Benson joined Boots2Roots as Executive Director in 2019 after a successful stint as the owner/operator of a small manufacturing business in Maine. Prior to owning his business and before moving to Maine in 2014, Bill spent 24 years on active duty with the United States Army. Bill is a combat veteran who served over 42 months deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. When it came time to transition, Bill, his wife Tara, and their three children chose to settle in Maine because, out of all the places they lived, Maine felt most like home. Bill joined Boots2Roots because of the opportunity to use his own experiences as a veteran and business owner to assist other transitioning service members in finding meaningful work and put down roots in Maine.
Randy Bell joins Boots2Roots after a 23 year career in the United States Navy. Randy retired from active duty in 2023 as a Command Master Chief, the most senior enlisted rank in the Navy. He most recently completed a tour on the USS AMERICA (LHA 6) stationed in Japan, before moving to Maine with his family. Randy brings his experience in developing military talent to lead Boots2Roots’ Transition to Work Program. As Program Director, Randy is responsible for ensuring best outcomes for military members transitioning to the civilian workforce in Maine, and in growing the program to meet the increasing workforce needs of Maine employers.
Presentation: Employee Transportation using GO MAINE
Luke Van Denend, Outreach Coordinator, AECOM
Unlock the potential to enhance recruitment and retention with the GO MAINE program! Discover how this free program helps your employees find the best transportation options, from carpooling to green commutes, and offers valuable perks like the Emergency Ride Home Benefit. Learn how partnering with GO MAINE can simplify your employees' commutes, boost job satisfaction, and attract top talent. Join us to see how this program, backed by MaineDOT and the Maine Turnpike Authority, can support your workforce and improve your company's appeal.
Panel: Business Success Through Accessible Employment
Liz Nitzel, DVR Regional Manager, CRC is an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/ Windmills Facilitator with a demonstrated history of engaging businesses with local resources and assisting career seekers with developing their skills and access to local opportunities. She specializes in increasing employment disability etiquette and awareness of accommodations to assist in workforce development which advances employment for individuals with disabilities.
Ashley Brown is the Senior HR Generalist for Point Sebago Resort. In her role, Ashley has a passion for making a difference for individuals in the workforce and always finding ways to improve the culture and work experience. She has always had a huge passion in relationship building and making experiences for others. Under her leadership, Point Sebago has pioneered multiple workforce initiatives, including partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Ashley received her Bachelors of Science and MBA from South University, Savannah GA.
Angelina Jackman, Graduate of UMPI B.A, is an Employment Coordinator for Living Innovations, overseeing Hancock and Aroostook county for VR services. She is also the Community Relations Manager for Northern Maine. She has been with Living Innovations for 7 years. As a mother of 5 children, two children with Special needs, she understand the importance for all people of all abilities to be valued, included and recognized for what they can do. Employment is her passion, helping the community to understand and see the value in others. She firmly believes in helping to provide individuals an opportunity to earn a fair wage for the work they can do.
Taira Currier Peters has been employed by Tim Hortons Bakery in Houlton since November of 2021 as a Customer Service Representative/Barista. She has been the recipient of Employee of the Month and later Employee of the Year at her location. Taira has worked with Living Innovations and Voc Rehab Services for Employment Support and is a true success story!
Timothy Driscoll is working seasonally at Point Sebago in The Landing Restaurant after being out of work for over twenty years. Vocational Rehabilitation helped me get into the job and work for the summer, assisted by a job coach. Tim found the employer to be very welcoming and helpful, co-workers were patient and taught me how to portion foods. He also became chef for the restaurant's lobster bake, which is in the photo. He was happy to learn he still has skills to contribute and plans on returning to Point Sebago next summer.
Panel: Strategies to Support Workplace Mental Health
Nio DiPietrantonio has been in the restaurant industry for over seventeen years and has a lot of experience in many areas of the kitchen, management, and customer service. She was driven to create the Serving Up Support: Maine support group to help her fellow industry workers gain access to valuable resources to assist with their mental health and to help fight the stigma associated with the hospitality industry. She is also an Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project, a non-profit group advocating for better mental health and better conditions for all hospitality workers worldwide.
Jayne Van Bramer is President and Chief Executive Officer at Sweetser, a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services which serves approximately 20,000 children and adults each year. She comes to Sweetser from Oklahoma where she led the revitalization of a psychiatric hospital and outpatient service. The majority of her career was spent with the New York State Office of Mental Health, where she led the largest public mental health system in the country as the Senior Associate Commissioner for State Operated Children’s and Adult Services. She has two master’s degrees—one in psychology, and one in applied research and evaluation.
Rachel Wardwell is the Human Resources Manager for the Press Hotel in Portland. She is passionate about personal and professional growth and development. She has two associate degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Hospitality Management from Southern Maine Community College, and recently completed a bachelors degree in Social and Behavioral Science.
