Chalmers’ owners to Hall of Fame

BILL AND BRUCE CHALMERS were recently inducted into the Maine Business Hall of Fame.

Bruce and Bill Chalmers, owners of Chalmers Insurance Group of Bridgton were inducted into the Maine Business Hall of Fame, established by Junior Achievement, during a ceremony last Wednesday, May 11 at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks.

The Maine Business Hall of Fame honors business leaders who are selected in recognition of their significant and enduring contribution to Maine’s economy, and its sense of community. The Laureates, by example, provide inspiration to students and young people entering the world of work.

Along with the Chalmers, this year’s Laureate Award recipients included the Honorable George J. Mitchell, outgoing U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and former Maine Senator, Brenda Garrand, who owns the marketing communications firm Garrand.

All four were selected because they have contributed to Maine’s economy and sense of community and serve as role models for the students who participate in Junior Achievement’s K-12 financial and business literacy programs.

Bruce joined the family business in 1960 and now holds the president’s position at Chalmers Insurance Group.

Bill joined the family business in 1973 and serves as general manager and treasurer.

Bruce and Bill have worked in the insurance industry for 51 and 38 years respectively. Both enjoy working with people and take pride in establishing and maintaining valuable relationships with customers and their families.

Bruce graduated from Bowdoin College in 1959 and Bill graduated from the University of Vermont in 1973. They became business partners that same year. Chalmers Insurance Group has grown to be one of the largest insurance agencies in Northern New England.

Bruce, as president, specializes in insuring boys’ and girls’ summer camps, ski areas, and all types of businesses. Bill is a licensed Property & Casualty and Life & Health agent.

They contribute in many ways and serve on a number of boards. In one of his many appointments, Bruce was the past president and state national director of Maine Insurance Agents, as well as past chairman of the Maine Delegation of the White House and Blaine House Conferences on Small Business. Having chaired and been a member of numerous committees throughout the community, presently, he is on the Board of Directors for Camp Sunshine, trustee of the Ham Foundation, president of the Bridgton Academy Ice Arena, and a board member of the Bowdoin Polar Bear Athletic Fund. He is also a past president of Bridgton Highlands Country Club, which he co-owns with Bill.

Likewise, Bill is a contributing asset to not only insurance, but the community as well. He also served as state national director of Maine for Independent Insurance Agents of America. In the civic and public arena, Bill served as the Capital Campaign co-chairman of the Bridgton Hospital, which he was instrumental in the construction of. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Central Maine Health Care, Norway Savings Bank, and Bridgton Academy.

“Integrity sums up our philosophy pretty well. We’ve always been taught that your name is who you are, and what you’re about. We live our lives that way; it’s the guiding principle for everyday living. We learned that lesson from our parents, who learned it from theirs. We’re simply solid community members who sincerely want to give back,” Bill Chalmers said.