Class of 1998 Winter 2020 Class Note

LTC Robert E. Brewer

Hearty Maine Hello from Wiesbaden, Germany! I hope your 2020 is off to a good start.

Congrats to Daniel LaMontagne on returning to Maine in June to his new position as president and CEO of Seven Islands Land Company. Seven Islands is a Maine-based forestland resource and management company for the long-term sustainable stewardship of the Pingree forest. Dan came from his position as senior director of land asset management at Weyerhaeuser. He began his career working for Sappi and Plum Creek as a forester, holding positions of increasing responsibility.

Publishers Weekly named Lacy Simons’ bookstore in Rockland, hello hello books, one of five finalists in the 2019 Bookstore of the Year Award. Lacy opened the bookstore in 2011. The 800-square-foot bookstore can be found in the back of Rock City Café. Congratulations, Lacy!

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians selected Dennis Russell ’07G as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advocate of the Year last April. The award is presented to individuals who show outstanding work in advocating for EMS and the patients who are cared for by first responders. Dennis is the education and community paramedicine manager with United Ambulance Service. He is also the dean for United’s accredited education department and works as a community paramedic with SmartCare at Cataldo Ambulance Services in Massachusetts. Additionally, Dennis is the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians education coordinator for Maine. He serves on numerous boards and committees related to this field. Dennis also earned his master’s degree from the University of Maine in 2007. Congrats, Dennis!

Cindy Blodgett became the girls’ basketball coach for the Lincoln School in Providence, RI, in 2019. She is also the school’s physical education department head. Cindy had a professional WNBA career with the Cleveland Rockers and Sacramento Monarchs, and then overseas. She had an extensive coaching career at Boston University, Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, and University of Maine. Congrats, Cindy!

Randy Ridley coaches baseball in Lisbon and also teaches physical education at Philip W. Sugg Middle School in Lisbon Falls. Randy was quoted in an article in The Times Record featuring other University of Maine alumni who are currently athletic directors and coaches, reminiscing about UMaine football after their victory over Weber State in the 2018 Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal in December 2018.

Thanks for all the updates! Send a note about how you are doing to include in the summer issue!