Business Spotlight: Atlantic Heating Company

Atlantic Heating Company takes pride in providing reliable, affordable energy products along with heating and cooling services for your year-round home comfort. It is a full-service company offering fuel delivery, energy-efficient products to help reduce your energy costs, important maintenance and service plans, and a lot more.

Atlantic Heating Company has been helping local residents
keep their homes warm for more than 50 years and for
the first time is now offering propane delivery service.
COURTESY PHOTO

Located at 474 Riverside Industrial Parkway in Portland, Atlantic Heating also operates a second office at 78 Tandberg Trail in Windham. It has been providing exceptional service to the Greater Portland and Lakes Region communities for more than 50 years, specializing in cost-effective heating solutions including furnaces and boilers, and quality heating oil and propane delivery and services.

Karissa Guay, Atlantic Heating Company executive administrator, says helping people when they need assistance the most motivates Atlantic Heating’s dedicated, licensed, and professionally trained team.

“We are a local Maine business that has been providing top notch services for over 50 years,” Guay said. “We have licensed and trained professionals and we offer reliable services with competitive pricing. As a small business, we know customers come first and have a dedicated 24-hour emergency service response team. We have loyal customers who have been with us for over 50 years.”

She said that Atlantic Heating Company offers prompt heating oil delivery, HVAC services and for the first time has added propane delivery service this spring. Their convenient and affordable services include 24-hour emergency service; installation of high-efficiency oil, propane, and natural gas heating systems; gas conversions; water heaters; heat pumps; pre-buy and budget plans, and with free estimates.

“As a company that is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for many services our pricing is extremely competitive,” Guay said. “We offer lock-in rates for our delivery services, and competitive and fair pricing for our service department. We warranty our work for a year after service is completed.”

The company was originally started in 1969 by Stan Morrell and during the summer, he would take his 12-year-old son Bill with him to service heating systems. By the time Bill was 18, he had obtained his Journeyman’s License and by 21 he held a Master’s License. In 2010, Bill Morrell and his wife Dorothy, added oil deliveries to their existing HVAC business, continuing the legacy Stan started, and now he offers much more than just HVAC services.

A few years ago, Atlantic Heating Co. became an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with employees taking greater pride and accountability for their work and having a stake in the company’s future.

“We employ highly qualified and licensed technicians to provide top-notch services,” Guay said. “Our friendly customer service representatives are available for any questions customers may have, and we have a convenient online portal, which can be accessed anytime. We are a Maine business, with local employees who are standing by 24 hours a day to help. Over the years, Atlantic Heating Company has established a reputation for quality work and dependability. Being in business for over 50 years has helped create the foundation for customers to have a great experience from the time they call or stop in until services are completed.”

Customer reviews are outstanding. 

“I would highly recommend Atlantic Heating! We’ve been a customer for a few years, and their customer service is excellent as well as their technicians. We had issue with our furnace this morning and they were here within a couple of hours and got it back up, and running again. Thank you!” ~ Michelle Dow Scribner

“These guys provide the best customer service I’ve ever had for my heating oil and boiler/hot water system. They are prompt with delivery. They answer the phone quickly and are very thoughtful. Their oil and service prices are great. The people who have done the annual cleaning and responded to a service call have been very experienced and knowledgeable. I’m super happy with Atlantic Heating Company and highly recommend them.” ~ Matthew Rideout

“So impressed with this company! Almost ran out of oil in frigid January and my usual company couldn’t deliver. I called Atlantic Heating Company, and they were there less than 24 hours later! Amazing customer service among all three people I spoke with. Got a confirmation email upon delivery which was a lovely surprise. Highly recommend!” ~ Jacquelyn Day

According to Guay, one factor above all else is primarily responsible for Atlantic Heating’s continued success in business.

“As a local small Maine business, we know our customers matter most,” Guay said. “We have earned the loyalty of customers who have been with us for decades and consistently commend our business practices.”

To learn more about how Atlantic Heating Company can help you, visit atlanticheatingcompany.com/ or call 207-797-7218 or 207-892-3953. Find them on Facebook under Atlantic Heating Co. <

Business Spotlight: Dillon Public Adjusters

Many home and business owners may not be aware that when they need to file a property insurance claim for damage, Dillon Public Adjusters are able to represent them throughout the entire process working on behalf of the insured, and not the insurance company.

Chris Dillon of Dillon Public Adjusters says his job is to
represent home and business owners to insurance companies
so those he represents can reap the full benefits of their
insurance policies. COURTESY PHOTO  

Based in Falmouth, Massachusetts and covering all New England states, the role of Dillon Public Adjusters is to assist home and business owners in navigating the process of an insurance claim. It handles all communication, scheduling, loss investigation, settlement negotiation, and recovering depreciation upon completion of restoration after a claim.

“Basically, we work for home and business owners to represent them to their insurance company,” says Chris Dillon of Dillon Public Adjusters. “Our goal is to make sure that our clients can reap the full benefits of their insurance policy.”

According to Dillon, the best part of the job is getting to help people tip the scales their way in a complex and confusing system designed to favor insurance companies.

“The best and most rewarding aspect of our work is knowing the impact we have upon people’s lives,” Dillon said. “Combined, we have over 50 years construction and 20 years specifically insurance related experience.”

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are ready to respond swiftly to your call. Since time is of the essence, and its rapid response ensures that no detail is overlooked and no delay occurs in the claims process. They conduct a comprehensive review of your insurance policy and a thorough inspection of your property.

“Our goal is to identify all avenues of coverage and damage, both visible and hidden,” Dillon said. “From there, we develop a strategic, realistic roadmap tailored to your specific loss and policy terms. Using the latest damage assessment tools and high-resolution imaging, we capture every detail of your property loss. From structural damage to personal contents, our state-of-the-art technology enables us to build a comprehensive case for the maximum allowable claim.

Their team digitally archives every communication, photograph, report, and form to ensure a clear, traceable, and professional record of your claim, and ready for any follow-up disputes or reviews. Once their assessment and documentation are complete, they present your full claim package to the insurance company for review and negotiation, advocating fiercely on your behalf, working to maximize your settlement and reduce delays. 

What sets Dillon Public Adjusters apart from similar companies is that it uses technology and third-party vendors in a way that most others do not.

“This approach allows for better documentation of damages, more thorough and concise reports, and access to information that most others do not know is even available,” Dillon said. “Our industry is one that many do not know exists, so we try more to collaborate with businesses that work in the same space.”

He says that he wants everyone to know that they do not have to take on insurance carriers alone. Dillon Public Adjusters stands ready to assist and is flexible, experienced, knowledgeable and has proven expertise.

“Major carriers have done a great job making it seem like their world is falling while they make records profits,” Dillon said. “Those who are insured have rights as consumers and contract holders.”

Dillon Public Adjusters has been successful because when they do well, it benefits those they represent.

“Our business is best known for the overwhelming impact that a public adjuster can have on a claim,” Dillon said. “For an industry that is so overlooked, the average impact can be in the hundreds of percents.”

The company was founded in February 2022 by John Dillon who had worked for other firms but wanted to be on his own and change his approach to claims handling. Since its launch, the company has grown to four employees, all of whom are licensed public adjusters.

Reviews posted online are exceptional. 

“Thanks to Dillon Adjusters, our claim was handled as quickly and fairly as possible. What could have been a big headache turned out smooth and hassle-free, and we felt heard and supported every step of the way. If you need someone who goes above and beyond, we highly recommend reaching out to Dillon Adjusters. We are so relieved everything worked out, and we can’t thank them enough for the outstanding service.” Ana Ward

“Highly Recommended! Dylan Public Adjusters, Inc. was a lifesaver after a tree fell on our house. They handled everything with the insurance company and got us a much better settlement than we expected, professional, responsive, and truly on our side! So glad we called them!!” Tim Higgins

“Dillon Adjusters did a wonderful job for us. They were responsive, efficient, thorough and achieved a fair settlement for us.” Stephen Smith

To learn more about Dillon Public Adjusters, visit dillonadjusters.com/ or call 774-946-1110. <

Business Spotlight: Rustic Build & Design

For many, the most significant investment of their lifetime is their home and when an exterior upgrade is needed, you can rely on the expertise, experience and reliability of Rustic Build & Design to deliver a product that will stand up to the test of time in Maine’s elements.

Rustic Build & Design is a full home exteriors company
based in Windham that can handle just about any home
exterior project at a fair price. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Located at 744 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Rustic Build & Design is a full home exteriors company that can install a new roofing system, attic insulation, and siding packages that include soffit, fascia and trim. The company handles window replacements using Harvey, Marvin, Matthew Brothers and Anderson brands and works on decks of all shapes and sizes primarily using TimberTech material.

“We can also handle home additions, as well as new builds of homes with plans that we have installed before, and custom builds that fit the customers’ needs and expectations,” the team at Rustic Build & Design said. “Because of our decades of experience installing exterior products in the state of Maine, we choose the best materials and products which work best for Maine’s conditions.”

Since Rustic Build & Design is a family-owned business, it doesn’t have a lot of overhead which allows the company to be very competitive with pricing.

“We’re not corporate heavy or have large financial backers that require a cut of the business,” the Rustic Build & Design team said. “We charge our neighbors only what it takes for us to install and stay in business to honor the warranty we give if any problems come up down the road.”

Rustic Build & Design team members say that to be successful, they treat everyone like they are their own family.

“We live and raise our families in this community, our children go to the same schools, we shop at the same grocery stores, and because of that we take pride and stand behind our work,” they said. “When we see our customers out and about, we want them to see us and remember how much of a pleasure it was working with Rustic and how we did everything we said we would in a timely and efficient manner. We fully meet their expectations for a project and exceed expectation in every opportunity we can.”

Although Rustic Build & Design has only been open for one year, it is looking to grow and features more than 70-plus years of combined construction experience in its production team.

“What distinguishes us is that we are truly building this company to last,” the Rustic Build & Design team said. “We want our children to take this over someday. Because of that we do things the right way, installing products that will last. As a builder, you can earn kickbacks and discounts from certain manufacturers to install their products. This raises the price initially to the consumer so that the builder can make more money at the end of the year by way of a kickback. We do not participate in that. We give our most fair pricing at the front end for our customers. We do not play pricing games. We also don’t install products that we have seen either prematurely fail, or not live up to the warranty we want to give our customers. Our customers only want to do this project once and so do we.”

Rustic Build & Design is known for its range of products and services. 

“We are a one stop shop when it comes to exteriors. We also truly care and are fully transparent and honest with our customers,” the Rustic Build & Design team said. “We will tell you stories from our decades of experience and always do what is right for our customers. Our quality is top notch. We don’t cut corners and that shows in our estimates. They are very detailed as well as our product offerings. We have installed many different home exterior products over the years and stick with the ones that we only have good experience with. Customers always appreciate our quick turnaround time, our responsiveness, and overall availability. We are here for our customers at every step of the way until the project is 100 percent completed.”

Reviews are exceptional.

"From the first walkthrough to the final punch list, they were organized, transparent, and truly invested in doing it right. Zero stress, amazing outcome. Highly recommend." Laura B.

“High-quality work, fair pricing, and a team you can trust in your home. Rustic Build & Design exceeded our expectations in every category.” John and Sue C.

“If you want a builder who shows up, answers the phone, listens to you, and stands behind their work, this is your team. We couldn’t be happier with our new addition.” Beth M.

To learn more about Rustic Build & Design, visit rusticbuilddesign.co or call 207-599-8021. Find them on Facebook at Rustic Build & Design. <

Business Spotlight: Benchmark Benefits

Navigating the world of healthcare coverage and ever-changing Medicare benefits can be overwhelming. That is why having the right guide matters.

Maureen Mazur, owner of Benchmark Benefits,
offers solutions for those looking for an
alternative to traditional healthcare.
SUBKITTED PHOTO

Located at 639 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Benchmark Benefits is owned and operated by Maureen Mazur and helps individuals, families, and businesses make sense of their health coverage options. The agency specializes in individual health plans, Medicare, traditional and non-traditional group coverage, dental and vision plans, and travel insurance for those who want protection while traveling outside the country.

With more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry, Mazur is known for taking the time to explain coverage in a way people can actually understand.

“The best thing about what I do is making sure people have insurance protection against an unknown surprise diagnosis or a life-threatening illness,” Mazur said.

When it comes to insurance, Mazur helps clients understand how plan choices affect both coverage and out-of-pocket costs. She walks people through the details of traditional health insurance, original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement plans, including how excess charges, copays, and deductibles can impact their ultimate cost of care.

Because pricing is set by the insurance carrier, Mazur focuses on education and guidance rather than sales pressure.

“I get paid by the carrier for business I place with them,” she said. “The payment is the same, which levels the playing field and makes it easy for me to put the right plan in place for the business.”

Benchmark Benefits also works with employers and business owners who want to explore benefit options for their teams.

“There are options out there – and good ones,” Mazur said. “I am not pushy and I won't chase business. I give a safe space to be curious and get your questions answered.”

That approach has earned her a consistent response from clients: many say no one has ever taken the time to explain insurance the way she does. 

“Breaking down the complicated framework of insurance is not easy to understand,” Mazur said. “Folks mostly know how insurance works when they have to use it and when the bill arrives.”

Mazur believes that trust and comfort come first.

“It really is about being comfortable from both sides of the table,” she said. “I bring that level of comfort.”

She also recognizes one of the biggest challenges facing both individuals and businesses today.

“The most challenging aspect of this business is the rising cost of health insurance,” Mazur said. “Everybody wants it, but not everybody can afford it.”

In addition to traditional coverage, Benchmark Benefits also helps groups and individuals explore non-traditional healthcare options, including med share co-ops and direct primary care, giving people access to more flexible and transparent healthcare solutions.

Following a brief phone call to discuss needs and priorities, Benchmark Benefits reviews personalized coverage options, helps compare plans and costs, handles the paperwork, and supports clients through a smooth transition into the right coverage.

For businesses, Mazur helps identify critical risks, define the type of coverage needed, evaluate budget realities, and compare options side by side.

Her path into the business is personal. 

“I lost my husband, Frank, 18 years ago. We owned the business together, but I did not actively work in the business,” she said. “When my husband passed away, I stepped into the business.”

Today, she serves individuals, families, and small groups throughout Maine.

“I have traveled as far as Corinth and China to sit with folks and talk about all things insurance,” Mazur said. “ZOOM has made it more convenient to cover the state.”

Benchmark Benefits does not offer every Medicare plan available in the state. Any information provided is limited to the plans offered in a client’s area. For a full list of available options, Mazur recommends visiting Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

To learn more about Benchmark Benefits or schedule an appointment, call 207-360-4040 or visit bbime.com. <