THE DOWNS - Key Persons
Founded in 2008, Black Fly Media is full-service public relations and video production house based in South Portland, Maine. The fast-growing team has worked for the nation's top ad agencies and inside New England's busiest newsrooms - interviewing American Presidents; media training Fortune 500 CEOs; creating Emmy-winning video content; and earning national and local media headlines across the country. Black Fly Media develops content and public relations campaigns that regularly shape public perception of important people, places and issues, both here in Maine and away.
Job Titles:
- Development Director for M & R Holdings
As Development Director for M&R Holdings, Dan manages and directs the overall development programs, designs and investments for the company. His responsibilities include working with end-users, development planning and design, permitting and related pre-construction management and services. Dan has an extensive background in planning, design and permitting and has worked as a public sector planning director as well as private consultant and holds a Bachelors degree from St. Lawrence University and a Masters degree in Planning from the University of Massachusetts. He lives in Freeport with his wife Kate and two children Hannah and Charlie.
Gorrill Palmer is an integrated land development, transportation and municipal engineering firm. We have been providing quality professional service to clients throughout New England since 1998 and the Mid-Atlantic area since 2013. Since our founding, Gorrill Palmer has been consistently recognized for our expertise, experience, and responsiveness, resulting in outstanding value for our clients. At Gorrill Palmer, we have created a work environment built upon integrity, skill and service. Our team includes individuals with expertise in transportation planning and engineering, municipal engineering, land development, site design, project permitting and construction observation.
Marc Risbara is a partner in the Downs Project, as well as Partner and Vice President for Risbara Bros. Construction Co., partner for M&R Holdings, LLC, Southern Maine Remodeling, and Maine Properties, LLC.
Marc grew up working in the family business, having started running heavy equipment at a very early age, but his interest has been more site work focused. For the last 32 years he has headed up the earthwork and site development aspect of the business. He is involved in the land purchases and also has an in-depth knowledge of underground utilities and infrastructures. He has had hands on involvement with hundreds of successful builds, both residential and commercial.
Peter Michaud, a partner in the Downs Project, is also Managing Partner for Maine Properties, LLC, Southern Maine Remodeling and M&R Holdings, LLC. He has a strong background and experience in real estate development, entrepreneurial expertise and strategic planning and acquisitions.
Peter grew up working in the family business and joined his father and brother in their startup distribution company just after college. After learning the business from the ground up, Peter would go on to serve as Chief Executive Officer. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic management of development and acquisitions led the company through exponential growth from a small startup into a multimillion dollar business. The company's merger with a major international entity brought Peter to a corporate leadership role as President, overseeing a multibillion dollar business with outstanding results.
A native of Southern Maine, Peter is actively involved in the development of his community. His recent projects include the building and design of a large distribution center in Saco, two commercial buildings in the Scarborough Industrial Park, and, most recently, several apartment complexes in Westbrook and Scarborough.
Peter lives in Scarborough with his wife, Terry, where they raised their two children, Jake and Emily. He is active as a board member and in the fundraising efforts for several charitable organizations which serve his local community. Peter holds a degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Richard Michaud, Jr., a partner in the Downs Project, is also Partner for Maine Properties, LLC, Southern Maine Remodeling, and M&R Holdings, LLC. With a solid background in corporate operations and executive management, he recently retired from his role as Vice President, Sales Operations Strategies for a prominent international manufacturing and distribution company.
Richard's career began at age 17, when he, along with his father and brother, started a single truck distribution company out of his family's garage. They would go on to grow that small startup company into a thriving operation with a network of distribution centers serving multiple states and employing 200 people. When their company entered into a partnership with a larger corporate entity, Richard took on a leadership role to manage logistics, operations and development for 120 distribution centers in a multibillion dollar international operation with exceptional results.
A native of Southern Maine, Richard's passion for his community has fueled his interest and involvement in local development projects, including the design and execution of a large distribution center in Saco, two commercial buildings in the Scarborough Industrial Park, and, most recently, several apartment complexes in Westbrook.
Richard resides in Scarborough with his partner, Susan, where he raised his three children, Chelsey, Kathryn, and Michael. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys fishing and hunting. He is actively engaged in his community, serving on the Board for several nonprofit organizations.
Rocco (Roccy) Risbara III is a partner in the Downs Project, as well as Partner and President for Risbara Bros. Construction Co., Southern Maine Remodeling, and Managing Partner for M&R Holdings, LLC and Maine Properties, LLC.
Roccy, along with his brothers, takes great pride in the accomplishments of their family business endeavors. 2022 marks the 54nd Anniversary for Risbara Bros. Construction, and the 41th year of operation for Maine Properties, LLC.
With four decades of experience in residential and commercial construction, Roccy knows every aspect of the business. Often working "behind the scenes", his vast project management experience includes residential homes, condominiums, apartments, and a substantial number of commercial properties including banks, credit unions and other businesses.
Roccy is passionate about the positive impact his long‑standing successful family business has on his community, offering employment opportunities for Maine families and supporting ongoing growth and development.
William (Bill) Risbara, a partner in the Downs Project, is also Partner and Treasurer for Risbara Bros. Construction Co., and Partner of Maine Properties, LLC, Southern Maine Remodeling, and M&R Holdings, LLC.
With over 38 years of construction and development experience and expertise, Bill's successful projects range from single family homes to large scale apartments and commercial projects.
Bill, along with his brothers, takes great pride in the accomplishments of their family business endeavors.
A native of Southern Maine, Bill is committed to the positive growth of his community. His recent projects include Blue Spruce Farms Apartments, Waterside Apartments, Island View Apartments, and Autumn Woods Apartments in Westbrook, as well as Carrier Woods Apartments and the Town and Country Federal Credit Union Headquarters in Scarborough.