Third Annual MaineMBA Alumni Awards & Business Forum

The third annual MaineMBA Alumni Awards & Business Forum honored six alumni and featured two guest speakers. Michael Bourque, president and CEO of MEMIC, and Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist, spoke about turbulence and resilience.
 
“This year’s event was our best yet, with six award winners recognized and attending the event at the Maine Center in the heart of Portland,” says Dr. Norm O’Reilly, Dean of the Graduate School of Business. “Two exceptional industry keynotes set the stage for the awards, and we were honored to have administration from both the University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine there to celebrate the achievements of our alumni.”
 
Our honored alumni are as follows:
 
Dean’s Award
April Collins, Class of 2023
Senior Manager of Organizational Effectiveness, American Family Insurance
 
This award is given to a recent graduate of the MaineMBA based upon their academic and co-curricular record and their impact on and contributions to the classroom environment.
 
April’s commitment to service and excellence is evident in her work, including her role as program manager for a transformation that resulted in over $100M in savings. She contributed her leadership skills to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response efforts, where she streamlined testing processes and ensured equitable access to testing and vaccines for vulnerable populations. She is clearly committed to leaving a positive impact on communities and their ecosystems.
 
U40 Award
Brian Bousquet-Smith, Class of 2020
Head of Operations at MedRhythms
 
This award is given to a MaineMBA graduate younger than 40 at the time of nomination and has made contributions to their field. The winner is selected by the staff and board of Maine Outdoor Brands.
 
Brian is a passionate leader with more than ten years of experience in various engineering, operations, and leadership roles. In his current role as the Head of Operations at MedRhythms, he has been at the forefront of helping to build a venture-backed startup in Portland, Maine. His leadership has effectively bridged diverse functions such as manufacturing, customer success, IT, and data analytics. Beyond MedRhythms, he is focused on being a good dad to his 19-month-old daughter and a loving husband.
 
Outstanding Accountant Award
Stefan Lange, Class of 2011
Vice President and Controller at Partners Bank
 
This award is given to someone with an accounting degree from a UMS program, and has displayed leadership and generosity within their field, community, or firm. This award is selected by the Maine Society of CPAs.
 
Stefan moved from Germany to the U.S. in 2005, earning a BSBA in accounting and his MBA. He began his career at a regional public accounting firm, during which time he earned his CPA. He moved to the corporate accounting world, where he is currently a Vice President and Controller at Partners Bank in Sanford, Maine. He’s a member of the United Way committee at Partners Bank and volunteers as a financial reviewer for the United Way of Southern Maine. In his free time, he loves hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Mary, and their pets.
 
Engineering Alumni Leadership Award
Tyler Jolicoeur, Class of 2020
CEO at Compotech
 
This award was established to recognize the synergies between the Graduate School of Business and the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. This award honors a MaineMBA graduate who has made a significant contribution of leadership or innovation to the engineering field and is chosen by the dean and faculty of MCEC.
 
After earning his BS in Mechanical Engineering, Tyler spent several years as a project engineer at UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. He became the CFO at Compotech in 2021, and in 2022, he became their CEO. Compotech contracts with the Department of Defense and is focused on building a high-tech defense industrial base in Maine.
 
Muskie School of Public Service Outstanding MBA Award
Robin Howard, Class of 2023
Nurse Practitioner at Maine Medical Partners
 
This honor awards a MaineMBA graduate who pursued a concentration through the Muskie School of Public Service. The award goes to someone who sets a high standard of academic inquiry and engagement in the classroom and displays enthusiasm for learning and professional development. The awardee is selected by the faculty of the Muskie School of Public Service.
 
Robin earned her nursing degrees at the University of Southern Maine. She’s been a nurse practitioner since 2006 and earned her MaineMBA in healthcare systems while working full-time at Maine Medical Partners. She’s currently pursuing CPHQ certification and plans to apply her MBA to the fields of healthcare quality and patient safety. Robin is an avid Lego fan outside of work and volunteers for her local fire department and the Red Cross.
 
Distinguished Alumni Award
Matt Harmon, Class of 2022
SVP of Claims for MEMIC
 
This award recognizes a graduate who has significantly contributed to leadership or innovation for their field or community. It’s chosen by the Maine Business School Advisory Board.
 
Matt has been working in the insurance industry for more than 30 years. He plays a critical role at MEMIC in overseeing the company’s largest department and managing workers’ compensation claim activity nationwide. He also spearheads digital transformation initiatives, including work leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to enhance claim processes and outcomes.