Employment services firm celebrates new ownership

TEMPO Employment Services of Presque Isle recently celebrated new ownership with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer Buckingham is the new owner. From left are: Jennifer Deschene, business ambassador, University Credit Union; Brandon McDonald, Maine Small Business Development Center; Wendy Robinson, friend; Galen Weibley, Presque Isle economic and community development director; Danielle Chasse, friend; Jeremie Raymond, chamber board member; Mary Kate Barbosa, chamber board member; Barb Hayslett, Rep. Jared Golden’s office; Jennifer Olson, chamber board member; Margo Dyer, chamber board president; Justin Dubois, Acadia Federal Credit Union; Jennifer Buckingham, owner; Lendell Buckingham, owner; Elizabeth Robinson, mother; Suzette da Cruz, TEMPO; Lois Dickson, former owner; Gary Sweetser, father-in-law; Brenda Sweetser, mother-in-law; Donald Tarbox, TEMPO; Beth Jandreau, friend; Peter Lento, chamber board member; Heidi Ouellette, Maine Career Center; Lynn Boucher and Michelle York, Thompson Financial Group; Kassidi Hanson, chamber summer associate; Glori Coty, friend; and LaNiece Sirois, chamber executive director. (Courtesy of Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce)

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — TEMPO Employment Services of Presque Isle has announced that after 24 years of employment with the company, Jennifer Buckingham has purchased the business from owner Lois Dickson.  

Buckingham started in 1997 after graduating from what was then Northern Maine Technical College with degrees in business administration and accounting.  While working full-time she continued her education by attending night courses at Husson College, attaining her bachelor’s in accounting in 1999.  

She furthered her human resources education by successfully pursuing Senior Profession of Human Resources and Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional Certifications.  This education and hands-on knowledge led Buckingham to grow in the employment industry, leading the TEMPO team in placing hundreds of individuals in jobs throughout Aroostook County every year.

“Lois has been a wonderful mentor through these last 20-plus years and I cannot thank her enough for giving that shy, young, unexperienced girl a chance. What started as a two-week assignment at the TEMPO office grew into my dream of one day owning my own business,” Buckingham said.

“Lois is the prime example of what happens when you focus on success.  She moved home from Memphis to manage TEMPO and then purchased the company from the three business partners.  When I first started working at TEMPO, I was amazed by such a young woman solely owning a large company.  She provided me the opportunity and the guidance to follow suit,” Buckingham said.

The company’s mission will remain unchanged. 

“TEMPO is committed to being the best at serving our clients and employees one opportunity at a time, dedicated to providing the safest working conditions possible for our employees while providing quality services for all of our clients,” Buckingham said.  

The business plans to add new products and staff to to better assist applicants, employees and customers with all employment-related services.  

TEMPO is located at 40 North Suite, Suite 3 in Presque Isle. For more information call them at 764-0772 or visit their website, www.tempoemployment.com.