Dick Gleason Receives Maine Business School ‘Achievement in Business’ Award
Contact: George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — The Maine Business School recently named Auburn media executive Dick Gleason recipient of its 2008 Achievement in Business Award.
Gleason, a UMaine alum and member of the Maine Business School Advisory Board for the last three years, is president and owner of Gleason Media Services in Auburn. He has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community service on multiple boards, commissions and area business, community and educational organizations.
Criteria for the Achievement in Business award includes achievement in a field of endeavor, demonstration of leadership, service to UMaine and its business school, service to community and career development, and a commitment and demonstration of life-long learning.
Gleason received the award earlier this month April at the business school’s annual awards banquet at Buchanan Alumni House.
John Mahon, dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Health and director of the Maine Business School, says Gleason is an “unabashed supporter of the Maine Business School and has served with distinction on the advisory board.”
“He has provided his advice and counsel to a variety of non-profits throughout the state and they have also been enriched by his participation in their activities,” Mahon adds. “He truly embodies the term ‘servant leadership’ and has lived a life of service to the citizens of Maine.”
A member of the Class of 1969, Gleason was among the first graduates of the UMaine College of Business, Public Policy and Health, which was created in 1965 as the College of Business. He earned an MBA in business administration, with an emphasis in marketing, from UMaine in 1970.
In 1975, Gleason purchased an FM radio station in Norway, Maine, known today as WOXO-FM, and in 1985, he revived a defunct AM station now known as WEZR at 1240 AM. Gleason currently owns and operates three other radio stations within 40 miles of Lewiston-Auburn. He also has developed a community website: LewistonAuburn.com
His connection with Lewiston-Auburn began in 1982, when he served as a part-time marketing instructor for the University of Maine in Auburn. He has since done workshops for the Small Business Administration in Maine.
Gleason has served on boards and committees including the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Club of Auburn-Lewiston, University of Southern Maine Corporate Partners, the Auburn Business Association, Healthy Androscoggin, Business Advisory Board for Congressman Michael Michaud, Advisory Committee for Central Maine Community College, Auburn City Council (2006-2007), United Methodist Church of Auburn, Taylor Pond Yacht Club and March of Dimes.
He currently serves on the boards of The Chapman House assisted living facility, The Maine Business School at the University of Maine, Central Maine Community College and The Alliance for Maine’s Future. He serves as a corporator for the Auburn Public Library, Boys & Girls Club of Auburn-Lewiston and Mechanics Savings Bank.
Gleason has received recognitions including the Maine Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcaster of the Year, the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award, Business Cornerstone Award from the Maine Senate, Kiwanis International’s Legion of Honor, the Ray Geiger Award from the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and Citizen of the Year from the Auburn Business Association.
Gleason lives in Auburn with his wife Kathy.