FARMINGTON — Businessman and now gubernatorial hopeful Leslie B. Otten will visit the University of Maine Farmington on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

The longtime Maine resident will be speaking at UMF’s Mable Hastie Lounge (Ricker 116) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. This event is being hosted by the UMF College Republicans. All are welcome to attend.

Otten’s life work has been devoted to business development and charitable giving in Maine and across the country. Last month he officially launched a campaign to become the governor of Maine. More about the Otten Jobs for Maine Campaign can be found at www.lesotten.com.

In 1980, Otten purchased Sunday River, and his company, LBO Resort Enterprises, grew by acquiring Sugarbush, Attitash Bear Peak and Cranmore Mountain Resort. Years later, he formed American Skiing Co. by acquiring S-K-I, and this expanded his resorts to include Killington, Mount Snow, Haystack, Waterville Valley and Sugarloaf/USA. He went on to buy Pico Peak in Vermont.

Otten was vice chairman and minority partner of the Boston Red Sox American Major League Baseball Franchise from 2002-07.

Last year, Otten developed his interest in wood to energy and getting Maine off its dependence on foreign oil by founding a new company, Maine Energy Systems, based in Bethel. He was also appointed by Gov. John Baldacci to serve as chairman of the Governor’s Wood to Energy Task Force in 2008.

For more information, contact Kelsey Jewell by dialing (207) 712-9726 or e-mailing [email protected].

Les Otten