Charles M. “Chip” Hutchins obtained a B.A. degree in Politics from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia in 1985. Upon graduation from college, Chip worked in the banking field in Boston before returning to Bangor, Maine to work for the family firm in 1989.

Chip’s grandfather, Curtis Hutchins, founded the Dead River Company, the largest home heating oil distributor in Maine. Chip’s father, Christopher, founded Alternative Energy, Inc. which developed wood-fired electrical generating plants inside and outside the State of Maine.

Throughout the 1990s, he assisted his father in developing four wood-fired electrical generating facilities. Upon their development, he served in numerous capacities concerning their operations. Chip has since acquired a number of his own businesses, including a four-station radio broadcasting company, a real estate investment firm, and a vending and games company. He has also developed a composite wood manufacturing company based on research conducted by the University of Maine.

Chip has been involved in numerous community activities, including serving on the Boards of Directors for the Bangor Historical Society, Black Bear Club Board of Advisors, Community Health and Counseling Services, the University of Maine Museum of Art and the University of Maine Foundation, and the United Way of Eastern Maine, where he served as the Campaign Chair in 2001. He also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Collins Center for the Arts.

Chip resides in Brewer with his wife, Kelli, and spends summers in Southwest Harbor.