Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, of Houlton and creators of Twenty 2 Distilled Vodka, were named the 2011 Entrepreneurs of the Year at the May 26 wine tasting and dinner hosted by LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development and Momentum Aroostook and held at the Edmunds Conference Center at the Northern Maine Community College. 
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Winning top honor for Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 were Jessica Jewell and Scott Galbiati, owners of the Northern Maine Distilling Company of Houlton, makers of Twenty 2 Vodka. Pictured from left are: Scott Violette, Momentum Aroostook; Jewell; Galbiati; and Ginny Joles, outgoing LEAD president.
The 14 nominees and the parties who nominated them include: Heidi Carter, Heidesign, nominated by Jesse Jalbert; Joe and Jan Bouchard of Bouchard Family Farm, Natalia Bragg of Knot II Bragg Farm, Thom Cote of Carvings by Cote/The Artist Nook, David Hentosh of Hentosh Bronze Sculptures and Smoldering Lake Outfitters, Steve and Judy Sherman of Oxbow Wreaths, and Dan Bell of The Cribbage Board Factory — all nominated by Patrick Patterson and Sandy Gibson of Meet The County; Kevin and Kristi Brannen of Spring Break Maple and Honey, and Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell of Twenty 2 Distilled Vodka — both nominated by Jon McLaughlin; Richard Porter of Spudland Alpacas, by Alan Perry; Kevin Quist and Linda Howe of Heywood Kennel Sled Dog Adventure and Northern M.O.S.S., by Erica Quinn Easter; Allison Gehring Wheeler of All Star Gymnastics, by Jim and Dianna Gehring; Rhett Fox of Fox Family Chips, by Patty LeBlanc; and Patrick Patterson and Sandy Gibson of Meet The County, nominated by Derik Smith.
Jason Parent, Scott Violette, Virginia Joles, Shawn Cunningham, Natalie St. Pierre, Kelly Gumprecht and Penny Mints provided introductions for each honoree.
“Heidi Carter is a County girl who has created logos for many organizations, including the biathlon logo and the Downtown Presque Isle project,” said Parent.
Of the Bouchards, Parent said their business has “grown one ploye at a time,” and that anyone interested in “tasting the world’s largest ploye” need only visit Fort Kent come mid-July.
Violette described Bragg’s business as a location where “past meets present and merge into one unique experience — where barter and trade are part of daily life.”
Joles described Cote’s ability to “carve anything” and that the craftsman readily shares his knowledge with others, through classes “offered for both adults and children.”
Of Meet The County, Joles said the business offers “unlimited product sales opportunities for those in the fabric of The County” and that Patterson’s and Gibson’s “knowledge and passion” helps promote “over 30 artisans and crafters from Island Falls to Allagash.”
Hentosh’s ability to capture wildlife in sculpted pieces “touches our senses,” said Cunningham, noting, “His interest in animals, especially wildlife and the natural world around him” has caught the attention of not only local buyers but has gained national attention. “He did a sculpture of Barbara Walters’ dog Cha-Cha which was presented on her show, ‘The View.’”
Cunningham said when you eat, sleep and dream something, “it may be a sign a career has chosen you” — describing Richard Porter’s connection with Spudland Alpacas. That love is flourishing, according to Cunningham, with Porter helping others start their own farms.
What started as a business class project, said St. Pierre, has turned into Northern Maine Distilling Company for Galbiati and Jewell. Married in 2006, the couple use American-made equipment to make 50-gallon batches “of a truly unique product,” she said — even creating a “specialty drink for the United Way of Aroostook’s Denim & Diamonds event earlier this year.”
St. Pierre described Heywood Kennels as a place where “they make dream adventures come true,” calling it a “true family business, offering true family fun.”
Fox Family Chips has experienced “an amazing road with a few learning curves,” according to Gumprecht, “starting in a store and expanding to factory production,” with sales to stores locally, as well as throughout the state.
“They are role models,” said Joles. “We’re proud they live here and have thriving businesses. They are all winners.”
With that, Joles, in one of her last appearances as president of LEAD, announced that Galbiati and Jewell join 2010 winner Troy Haney and 2009 winner Matt Bell as Entrepreneurs of the Year.
Galbiati, ever the businessman, spent much of the evening enthusiastically discussing his business and the process that goes into distilling vodka, how it’s bottled and hand-labeled, as well as the many flavors that can be created through a process called “infusion.” He and his wife, who were runners-up for last year’s award, appeared surprised at their win.
“This is the best thing that could have happened to us. Congratulations to all the nominees,” said Galbiati.
Galbiati and Jewell received a check for $500, a plaque and a sculpted award. An award was presented to the other honorees in recognition of their being nominated.
