MEREDA’s DevelopME’s Lunch & Learn Series “Advocating in Augusta”

Join DevelopME on Thursday September 20, 2018 at the Portland Public Library from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for their latest Lunch and Learn event, “Advocating in Augusta” to learn how MEREDA works to promote an environment for responsible development and real estate ownership in our state’s capital. We will hear from Andrea Cianchette Maker, MEREDA’s Public Policy Counsel and Partner at Pierce Atwood, along with Elizabeth Frazier, Associate at Pierce Atwood and Mike Lane, MEREDA’s Public Policy Committee Chair and Partner at Preti Flaherty. They will share their insights and expertise on various topics including how a bill becomes a law, how MEREDA sets its’ policy agenda, and how MEREDA’s membership can be engaged in the process.

About the Event:

September 20, 2018 – 11:30AM to 1:00 PM

Rines Auditorium
Portland Public Library
5 Monument Square
Portland, ME

Lunch: 11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Program: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

About the Panel:

Andrea Cianchette Maker, Partner and Government Relations Practice Group Leader at Pierce Atwood, LLP provides governmental relations services in Maine and in Washington, DC with Maineʹs Congressional delegation. She is pleased to be engaged as Public Policy Counsel for MEREDA. Her government relations practice focuses on real estate, economic development, health care, education and workforce development issues. Andrea is adept at building coalitions and developing effective stakeholder relations, as well as helping clients create personal relationships with key policy and decision makers. Her sensible, proactive and direct approach is refreshing and empowering in the complex and sometimes perplexing public policy arena. Committed to creating a strong and vibrant State of Maine, Andrea enjoys working with clients and organizations to strengthen Maineʹs economy.

Andrea has developed strong and personal relationships with countless Maine policy makers, business people and association leaders. She has been active with many Maine non-profit organizations, including her current role as Co-Chair of FocusMaine.

Andrea’s honors and distinctions include receiving the Crystal Heart Award by the American Heart Association (Maine Chapter) in 2017 as well as being named as one of four “Women to Watch” by Mainebiz and recognized by Maine magazine’s “50 Mainers” issue  in 2016.

Elizabeth M. Frazier is an associate of Pierce Atwood LLP in Portland, where she focuses on government relations and economic development, including helping businesses and developers navigate Maine’s regulatory environment and advocacy at the Maine State House. She is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and Trinity College.

Mike Lane, chairs Preti Flaherty’s Real Estate Group and has represented clients in all aspects of real estate and land use law, including acquisitions, dispositions,  obtaining federal, state and local regulatory approvals; commercial and public financing; title and conveyancing matters. Mike also serves as MEREDA’s Public Policy Committee Chair. Mike has built a strong timberlands practice representing mills, land management companies and industrial land owners in complex timberlands transactions, including acquisitions, sales, operating agreements, wood supply agreements, underwriting timberland titles, Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) development compliance and permitting. He routinely appears before municipal planning boards, LUPC and the Department of Environmental Protection to permit residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Mike also serves as Vice President and General Counsel to Charter Title Company, LLC, Preti Flaherty’s wholly-owned subsidiary, a respected agent for a number of nationally recognized title insurance companies. He has substantial experience in underwriting and negotiating title insurance coverages involving multisite, multimillion dollar commercial transactions, particularly energy, industrial and timberland properties, covering Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Registering for this Event:

MEREDA Member: $15 each  | Non – Member: $25 each

Register After September 13:  Member: $25 each  |  Non-Member $35 each

Your RSVP is requested by September 13, 2018. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after September 13, 2018.

This DevelopME Lunch & Learn Event is sponsored by Pierce Atwood.

Click here for more information and to register.