Eaton Peabody

Eaton Peabody Consulting Group is Growing – October 5, 2006

Consultants Scott Benson and James Cote Join EPCG

Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, LLC. (EPCG), a subsidiary of Eaton Peabody, announces the addition of Scott Benson and James Cote to the team.

“With the addition of Scott Benson to our economic development group and James Cote to our political consulting group, I am thrilled that EPCG has become a full-service consulting firm of seven very talented team members,” said Eaton Peabody Consulting Group Director, Edith Leary. “EPCG hopes to continue the steady growth we've experienced to better serve our clients throughout Maine.”

Benson’s 12 years of experience supporting economic and community development on the regional and municipal levelare a strong addition to the consulting group’s economic development team. Prior to joining EPCG, Scott served as Associate Developer for the City of Augusta, where he focused on business retention, expansion and attraction issues. Benson designed and implemented the City’s award-winning business attraction marketing campaign. He also served as the City’s chief liaison to the downtown business community, collaborating with merchants, and other stakeholders, in the design and implementation of a CDBG-funded façade improvement program to support that area’s ongoing revitalization efforts. Benson played a key role in creating and developing the operations and services of the Mid-Coast Council for Business Development and Planning (MCBDP), a public-private non-profit economic and community development corporation serving the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham region.

A graduate of Keene State College, Mr. Benson is a member of the Economic Development Council of Maine, Maine Association of Realtors, and the Maine Commercial Association of Realtors.

Prior to joining EPCG, Cote managed State Senator Peter Mills’ Campaign for Governor. Cote’s in-depth knowledge of state and local politics, and media, helped him formulate and implement strategy, direct grassroots activity, and handle media relations. He built critical relationships with state and local politicians, policy makers, and business leaders. For EPCG, Cote will handle all aspects of political and public relations campaign management. As part of EPCG’s political and government relations team, he will assist the group’s political consulting, community outreach, and association management projects.

Cote is a member of the Sportman’s Alliance of Maine and the Maine Snowmobile Association.