The Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce honored five executives Tuesday night at its annual community leadership awards.

The ceremony was kicked off with a video address from Michael Bourque, board chair of the chamber, who referenced John F. Kennedy, noting that the former president’s quote about a rising tide lifting all boats was an apt description of the combined impact of the chamber’s honorees.

Among those honored were:

• Larry Wold, president in Maine of TD Bank, who received the Henri A. Benoit award for leadership in the private sector. Wold was lauded for his energy and willingness to grow the regional economy and improve the community. His volunteer efforts with the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Pine Tree Council and Beach to Beacon road race were recognized, as well as his service on boards of the Portland Regional Chamber and the Maine State Chamber. The award was made in honor of Henri A. Benoit, who made outstanding contributions to Greater Portland through active leadership.

• David T. Flanagan, most recently interim president of the University of Southern Maine, who received the Neal W. Allen award for leadership in the public sector. Flanagan was CEO of Central Maine Power Co. for six years and General Counsel to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, where he worked on the investigation of the federal government’s poor response to Hurricane Katrina. He also was a founding member of Maine & Co. and served on the Maine Economic Growth Council. The award honors elected or appointed officials who through their careers made a significant contribution to the future of Greater Portland.

• Don Gooding and Jess Knox were jointly honored with the Robert R. Masterton award for leadership in economic development. Gooding, who is executive director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, and Knox, who has built some of Maine’s most dynamic startup events, have collectively brought resources, excitement and visibility to Maine’s entrepreneurial community. Knox initiated Maine Startup and Create Week and Gooding has led the Top Gun Acceleration program since its inception.

• Christopher Claudio, CEO of IT firm Winxnet, received the inaugural Entrepreneurial Spirit award. The recognition celebrates his energy and enthusiasm in launching a successful business in Greater Portland. The company has made a number of acquisitions in the past two years to expand its market, but is committed to staying in Portland. Claudio serves on a number of boards, including Maine Medical Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.


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