PORTLAND, Maine –The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) presented its annual recognition awards at the organization’s Annual Forecast Conference on January 28 in Portland.
“MEREDA depends heavily on the support of its members and volunteers, and these awards are a way for us to say thank you to some of the many people who keep this organization so strong and vital,” said Raymond Cota, MEREDA president.
Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award
The Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award recognizes a member who has contributed on a significant level over many years to the industry or to MEREDA. This year’s recipient is David Cook, president of AlliedCook Construction in Scarborough.
“For over three decades, David Cook has been the model of a respected contractor and developer, successfully weathering the business cycles prevalent in the industry,” said Cota. “His standards of quality and integrity have attracted Maine’s premier client base allowing him to develop many landmark projects and commercial business parks.”
Volunteer of the Year Award
Each year MEREDA presents its Volunteer of the Year Award to an individual who willingly and enthusiastically volunteers time and energy over the past year furthering MEREDA’s mission. This year’s award is presented to Gary D. Vogel of Yarmouth, a shareholder in the law firm of Drummond Woodsum.
“Gary deserves this award for his commitment to promoting responsible development by dedicating his time and expertise as co-chair of MEREDA’s Legislative Affairs Committee,” said Cota. “Gary helps decipher proposed legislation and translate it back to the membership in concise, easy to understand language. Not an easy task by any means!”
Public Policy Award
MEREDA presents the Public Policy Award each year to a member whose efforts have had a significant impact on public policy decisions for the benefit of the real estate industry in Maine. This year’s award is presented to Darryl Brown and Main-Land Consultants located in Livermore Falls.
“When Darryl Brown learned MDEP was proposing some significant changes to the Site Location Law, including where certain types of developments could, and more importantly, could not be located, he didn’t just sit around and gripe,” Cota said. “Darryl ‘volunteered’ and marshaled everyone at Main-Land Consultants to create a number of forums and workshops throughout western Maine, explaining the proposed changes, the consequences and ultimate impacts such changes would have to developers.”
President’s Award
The President’s Award is a discretionary award given by MEREDA’s current president. This year the award is presented to Mark Bergeron of Topsham, an engineer with Sevee & Maher Engineers.
“Mark exemplifies the attitude that we are all in this together and understands the balance between the environmental issues and the needs of the development community,” said Cota. “Having volunteered many hours to MEREDA’s Legislative Committee and, particularly to the sub committee on climate change and site law change legislation, he has become our ‘go to’ player in these matters.”
Founded in 1985 and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, MEREDA is an organization of commercial real estate owners, developers and related service providers, whose mission is to promote an environment for responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout the state of Maine.
