The Peer Selection Committee of the Maine Business Hall of Fame has announced the results of its selection process. Shepard Lee, the founder of Lee Auto Malls and Mike McNamara, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Heritage Bank – a division of Banknorth, N.A. have been named as Laureates and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the evening of May 10, at a reception and dinner in their honor. Both men live in Cape Elizabeth.

The Maine Business Hall of Fame is a project of Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc. It serves to honor community leaders “in recognition of their significant and enduring contribution to Maine’s economy, and its sense of community.” The Laureates, by example, provide inspiration to students and young people preparing for the future.

The Laureates serve as role models and their stories help to heighten aspirations and provide encouragement to young people just beginning their search. Junior Achievement programs are designed to provide exposure to entrepreneurship starting in kindergarten and continuing through 12th grade. There are now 47 Maine citizens in the Hall of Fame, founded in 1990. Collectively, they have had a profound impact on our community life and our business viability.

The evening takes place at the Portland Marriott and will be emceed by Bill Green. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 and the program concludes at 8:30 p.m. Business attire is appropriate. Table and seat reservations may be made by calling Deborah Taylor at the JA office, telephone 591-9005.

Shep Lee graduated from Bowdoin College, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and joined the staff of Advance Auto Sales immediately upon graduation. As a tireless entrepreneur, Shep has developed his auto sales company into the Lee Auto Malls with locations across Maine. Shep serves on several Boards including the University of Maine Law School Board of Visitors, the Advisory Board of the School of Business at the University of Southern Maine, the Finance Authority of Maine and the George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute.

Michael W. McNamara is President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Heritage Bank – a division of Banknorth, N.A. Peoples is Maine’s largest bank and serves the state with 60 offices from Kittery to Fort Kent with headquarters in Portland. Mike serves on the Board of the Maine Medical Center, Maine & Company and the Maine Economic Research Institute.


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