Cory LaPlante of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics was selected as the 2014 Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year from a field a 5 finalists. Pictured are, from left: Dave Harbison, 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year (Bison Pumps); Jim Davis, LEAD President; Amy Bouchard, Momentum Aroostook; LaPlante; and two Northern Prosthetic employees, Kristina Theriault and Andrew Cole.

    PRESQUE ISLE - A businessman who grew his company from one employee to more than 10 has been named the 2014 Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year by LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development and Momentum Aroostook.

    At a banquet and awards ceremony Thursday, May 22, at Northern Maine Community College Cory LaPlante, owner of Northern Prosthetics and Orthotics topped four other finalists to receive the award. Steve Pelletier of Valley Motors and Pelletier Ford in Fort Kent was first runner-up, Marc Brown and Mark Jones of Cam Manufacturing in Presque Isle received second runner-up. The two honorable mentions were Van Buren's Patrick Vaillancourt of Northern Turf Management and Mike Cyr, owner of Mike's Family Market in Limestone and Mike's Quik Stop in Caribou.

    "We had several outstanding nominations and the selection committee did a good job getting it down to the five finalists," said LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier. "The theme for this year's competition was 'Resources - The Idea Starts Here' and the finalists showed if you have a good idea and run with it, good things can happen."

    "This year's recognition, representing the largest number of nominees, 16, since the inception of the award in 2009 makes the statement that entrepreneurship is alive in Aroostook County," said LEAD President Jim Davis. "LEAD is proud to be a co-sponsor of this annual competition and awards for those who truly are making economic development happen."

    In his presentation to the approximately 70 people in the audience, LaPlante recounted how in high school he lost his leg above the knee to cancer. He went on to say his prosthesis broke only a few days before his high school prom and on the long ride to fix it in New Hampshire the seeds of starting a practice in Aroostook County were born.

    In addition to detailing how his practice began, LaPlante was quick to point out he has had some help along the way.

    "I wouldn't be here tonight if it wasn't for my staff, if I am the Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year, it is because of them," he said, before knowing the outcome of the competition. "I was also fortunate at the start to have some investors who believed in my vision."

    LaPlante started Northern Prosthetics in 1997 as the only employee. Now the staff has grown to nine full-time and two part-time employees occupying a new facility on Academy Street in Presque Isle.

    In 2013, the U.S. Small Business Administration named LaPlante Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Maine and New England.

    He resides in Presque Isle with his wife, Monica and their three sons, Jack, Charlie and Henry.

    A panel of seven judges, one representing each of the sponsors, LEAD and Momentum Aroostook, and the supporting organizations, Husson University, Northern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the 2013 Aroostook Entrepreneur winner David Harbison of Bison Pumps, selected the 2014 finalists.

    Emcees for the awards banquet were Jason Parent and Ginny Joles, who have served in the same capacity since the competition was first held in 2009.

    Past winners include, Harbison in 2013 (Bison Pumps), Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell (22 Vodka) in 2011, Troy Hainey (Hainey Building Supplies) in 2010 and Matt Bell (Northeast Pellets) in 2009.