SOUTH PORTLAND – Maureen Upham has been named an assistant vice president at Banknorth Insurance Group Inc. in South Portland. An accounting supervisor, she will continue to manage the company’s payables and oversee seven employees who are responsible for payments to all insurance carriers.

Upham joined Banknorth in 2001. She previously has served as a lead reviewer for the department’s Recon Control Unit.

A resident of Gray, Upham received a bachelor’s degree in 2000 from Framingham State College in Framingham, Mass., and an associate degree in 1972 from the former University of Maine, Portland-Gorham. A Portland native, she is a 1970 graduate of Catherine McAuley High School.

Governor’s Award nominees sought

AUGUSTA – Less than one month remains for Maine businesses to submit their nominations for the 2005 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. The entry deadline is Nov. 19.

The Governor’s Award recognizes businesses that demonstrate a consistently high level of commitment to manufacturing or customer service, their employees, and their community. The broad criteria for the award appealed to television stations WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 of Portland and Bangor, which won the award in 2004.

Construction companies, automotive repair businesses, financial institutions, food service companies, energy providers, and small and large manufacturers and service businesses have received the Governor’s Award since it was first presented in 1991. Winners of the 2005 award will be recognized during ceremonies at the Colby College Institute for Leadership next March.

Companies may be nominated or they may nominate themselves, and small businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Nomination forms may be obtained by calling Linda Shaw at 207-624-9825, sending e-mail to her at [email protected], or by writing her at DECD, 59 State House Station, Cross Office Building, 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04333.

Questions concerning the nomination process should also be directed to Shaw. The final decisions for award winners will be made in December and recipients will be notified early next year.