PENOBSCOT BAY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2009 Business Innovation and Collaboration Award
To a person, business or organization whose effort heightened the awareness of an under-utilized human resource resulting in a public-private collaboration to further utilize a seasoned workforce.
2009 recipient: Dave Tomm — Seasoned WorkforceTM Program
After retiring to Maine in 2000 with more than 30 years of self-employed business experience, this award winner soon realized how much he wanted to go back to work. What began as a volunteer activity has quickly emerged as a preeminent position in Maine's business leadership. In 2002 with the support of this chamber, a study was commissioned to examine the population of Maine and what changes were taking place in the workforce as many businesses in the Midcoast were having problems finding qualified employees.
The study found a logical synergy between the employer's need and the wealth of wisdom and expertise readily available from the large, local retiree population. From this study, the Seasoned Workforce Committee was founded and its members were charged with integrating this wealth of expertise in education, elder services, employment issues, business conditions and lots of plain common sense into the marketplace.
What started as a chairman position on this committee has today turned into the Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC, which co-sponsors, in conjunction with local CareerCenters, Regional Workforce Investment Boards, Chambers of Commerce and Adult Education Departments, programs for older workers in cities around the state of Maine.
Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC is a business in transition, responding to the needs of the aging workforce with advocacy programs for businesses and older workers alike. This award winner was recently included in the 2008 Mainebiz Next List featuring the top 10 emerging and influential people in Maine, and the Chamber offers its award to Dave Tomm.
The Beginning
Established in August of 2002, with the support of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce (formally the Rockland/Thomaston Area Chamber), the Seasoned Workforce Program began the study of the population in Maine and examined what changes were taking place in the workforce. Many businesses in Mid coast Maine were continuing to have problems finding qualified employees. With an aging population it was logical to determine if the older population could be of assistance. The Seasoned Workforce Committee members provided a wealth of expertise in education, elder services, employment issues, business conditions and lots of plain common sense. The committee was a leader and one of the first to study the effects of the aging workforce in Maine.
Executive Summary
Dave Tomm was elected Chairman of the Seasoned Workforce Program Committee of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2002. In September of 2006 he transformed the program into a private sector business, the Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC. The company is a leading advocate for older workers and the companies that employ them in the State of Maine.
Dave retired to Maine in 2000 with over thirty years of self-employed business experience. The inactivity of retirement made him recognize how much he wanted to go back to work. What began as a volunteer activity lead to the creation of the Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC.
In 2003 he also served as the Chairman of the Older Workers Committee of the Maine Jobs Council. He spearheaded several efforts statewide to recognize and employ seasoned workers. It was because of his vision and dedication that the company's efforts have expanded to this point.
Today the Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC co-sponsors, in conjunction with local CareerCenters, Businesses, area Chambers of Commerce, Regional Workforce Investment Boards and Adult Education Departments, programs for older workers in cities around the State of Maine.
The Seasoned WorkforceTM LLC is a business in transition responding to the needs of the aging workforce with advocacy programs for businesses and older workers alike.