Mainebiz

There’s no dearth of ideas about how to improve Maine’s economy floating around the campaign headquarters of Maine’s gubernatorial candidates. We invite you to take a breather from all the political chatter and, instead, immerse yourself in the stories of 10 exemplary Mainers who are shaping Maine’s economic future by rolling up their sleeves and getting to it.

Every year, Mainebiz searches for 10 movers and shakers — people we know are influencing Maine’s economy in a significant way — to appoint to our Next List. Some are entrepreneurs, some are the heads of family-owned businesses, some are steering nonprofits and some blend all of the above. But all demonstrate a deep commitment to Maine and the people who live and work here. We call them Nexters.

Let us introduce them to you.

Our 2010 Next list:

• Chris Sauer - CEO, Ocean Renewable Power Co., Portland
• Yellow Light Breen - Senior vice president, Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor; chair, Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, Augusta
• Ron Dennis - CEO, Dennis Paper and Food Service, Bangor
• Casey Bromberg - Development director, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Waterville
• Betsy Biemann - President, Maine Technology Institute, Gardiner
• Bob Neveu - President, Certify, Portland
• Dr. Larry Catlett - CEO, Occupational Medical Consulting, Leeds
• Maureen Heffernan - Executive director, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay
• Jason Parent - President, Maine delegation organizing the 2014 World Acadian Congress; director of communitcations, Northern Maine Community College, Presque Isle
• Tony Jabar - CEO, Cerealus Holdings LLC, Waterville