Sector Spotlights events feature industry leaders who will share the latest in innovation and collaboration, while providing partnership opportunities through in-person connections.
Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005
Members-only event
No charge
Lunch provided
SOLD OUT: Registration for this event has reached capacity. To be added to the waitlist, please email Marty Hamre.
Event Schedule
11:30 – Networking
12:00 – Program Presentation
Navigating the Blue Economy: Opportunities and Innovations
Ross Bryant, President & CEO, Fluid Imaging Technologies
Rhiannon Hampson, Vice President for Economic Development, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Charlotte Mace, Director of the Office of Business Development, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
12:45 – Q&A
1:00 – Networking
Stay for a tour after lunch!
1:30 – 2:45 PM
An optional tour of the UNE Marine Science Center will immediately follow, highlighting the innovative work/research of the students and faculty that is impacting Maine’s Blue Economy.
This Lunch & Learn session will explore the dynamic landscape of the blue economy, focusing on Maine’s unique challenges and opportunities. Participants will gain insights into sustainable practices and emerging technologies that are reshaping ocean resources management.
Key points will include:
- Defining the Blue Economy in Maine: Understanding the concept and its relevance to local industries, particularly fisheries, aquaculture, and renewable energy
- Emerging Markets and Global Partnerships: Highlighting the role of companies in fostering global collaborations and innovations
- Educational and Workforce Engagement: Examining initiatives by institutions such as UNE and GMRI to cultivate a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the evolving blue economy
Join us for an engaging discussion on how we can leverage Maine’s natural resources for economic growth while ensuring environmental stewardship and innovation in the blue economy.
Networking
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Darling Marine Center, 193 Clarks Cove Road, Walpole, ME 04573
No cost to attend
Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar
Enjoy bites and beverages, network with fellow business professionals, and gain valuable insights into innovations and opportunities in the Blue Economy.
SPONSORED BY
You're Invited to Spend the Day in Walpole!
Are you looking for new ways to drive innovation, address your business challenges, and expand your network? UMaine Showcase Days are designed for business leaders who want to accelerate growth and stay ahead in a competitive landscape.
Blue Economy Showcase Days
August 6, 2025
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Darling Marine Center, Walpole, ME
Our Lunch & Learn Featured Speakers
Ross Bryant, President & CEO, Fluid Imaging Technologies
Ross Bryant is President and Chief Executive Officer of Fluid Imaging Technologies, a global company focused on developing and manufacturing scientific instrumentation. Our products characterize sub-visible particles and microorganisms, using a technology known as flow imaging microscopy, with use cases in a diverse range of life science applications, such as environmental science, marine biology, water quality monitoring, aquaculture, and biopharmaceutical drug development.
Ross has more than 25 years of analytical instrumentation experience and a strong track record of growing smaller, life sciences focused technology companies into global leaders.
Prior to joining Fluid Imaging, Ross was COO at Wyatt Technology in Santa Barbara, CA, where he led a global team committed to developing scientific instrumentation for biophysical characterization applications. He has extensive international experience having spent time living in Tokyo, London, and Singapore as part of prior ex-pat assignments.
Ross holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine, an M.S. degree in Materials Science Engineering from Arizona State University, and an M.B.A. from the University of Maine. He has co-authored four patents related to novel scientific instrumentation development.
Rhiannon Hampson, Vice President for Economic Development, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Rhiannon joined GMRI in March of 2025 to launch and lead the Economic Development Department as its inaugural Vice President. She brings decades of advocacy, small business ownership, and community engagement experience to her work. Having been raised in some of the most rural pockets of Maine and graduating from the University of Maine, at Machias, with a B.A. in Psychology and Community Studies, Rhiannon is committed to ensuring that all voices have a place in planning the future.
Hailing from a multi-generational Navy family, Rhiannon’s commitment to be of service has taken many forms, including a tenure as the presidentially appointed Maine State Director of USDA Rural Development, and as a District Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Pingree. In these roles Rhiannon worked on policy and developed programming to support Maine’s heritage industries, help mitigate the drivers and negative effects of climate change, grow the renewable energy sector, secure and fund critical infrastructure and affordable housing, among other priorities.
Believing that small farms can create big climate solutions, she co-owns a regenerative, pastured livestock and organic dairy farm in Knox County, with her husband, their two children, and her mother.
Charlotte Mace, Director of the Office of Business Development, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
Charlotte Mace is Director of the Office of Business Development at the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). This Office is responsible for helping Maine businesses identify opportunities and overcome challenges. The Office is responsible for business retention and expansion, ombudsman services, business assistance, Business Answers, domestic trade, coworking grants, tax incentive programs, site selection, and investment attraction.
Charlotte was co-chair of the legislatively directed State of Maine Blue Economy Task Force and has been part of the steering committee of SEAMaine since its inception. Charlotte serves on the board of the Maine Technology Institute and previously served on the board of the Maine Venture Fund. She also serves as the State of Maine Program Manager for the Northern Border Regional Commission.
Charlotte has an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the University of Southern Maine. Prior to joining DECD, Charlotte was Executive Director of Biobased Maine, a manufacturing trade association working to advance Maine’s bioeconomy.