There’s a grounded certainty to the way the Androscoggin River winds through Bethel, Maine, carrying echoes of sawmills and timber drives from generations past. It’s here, in this quiet corner of Oxford County, that Kevin Hancock has built upon a family legacy deeply rooted in the state’s lumber industry. As the sixth-generation leader of Hancock Lumber, founded in 1848, Hancock embodies the resilient spirit of Maine entrepreneurs who navigate the balance between harvesting natural resources and preserving the wilderness that defines the region.
A Family Rooted in Maine’s Timber Heritage
Kevin Hancock was born into a world where the rhythm of the forest dictated daily life. Growing up in Bethel, a town nestled near the White Mountain National Forest and known for its outdoor recreation spots like Sunday River Ski Resort, he learned the lumber business from his father, Nathan Hancock, and grandfather before him. The company started as a small sawmill operation during Maine’s mid-19th-century logging boom, when the state’s vast pine and spruce stands fueled shipbuilding and construction across the Northeast.
Hancock Lumber now manages over 30,000 acres of forestland in western Maine, producing southern yellow pine lumber primarily from sustainable harvests. Kevin took the reins as president in 1998, but his path wasn’t always straightforward. In 2012, he faced a personal challenge when diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder that prompted him to rethink traditional top-down leadership. “I realized that strength could come from restraint,” Hancock has said, reflecting on how this experience shifted his approach to empower employees and communities.
This philosophy draws from Maine’s history of self-reliant woodsmen and mill workers. Bethel itself, with its population of about 2,600, remains tied to the land—visitors can explore the nearby Grafton Notch State Park for hiking trails that wind through old-growth forests, offering a glimpse into the ecosystems Hancock works to protect.
Innovating in the Lumber Industry
Under Kevin’s leadership, Hancock Lumber has grown into one of the largest producers of eastern white pine in the world, with mills in Bethel and nearby locations like Casco. The company emphasizes sustainable forestry practices certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring that harvesting doesn’t deplete the land. “We’re not just cutting trees; we’re stewarding forests for the long haul,” Kevin explained in a 2020 interview with Mainebiz, highlighting how they replant more than they harvest and maintain wildlife corridors.
For those interested in Maine’s working forests, a visit to the area around Bethel provides practical insights. The Mahoosuc Land Trust, which partners with local businesses like Hancock Lumber, offers guided tours of conserved lands where you can see active timber management alongside protected habitats. Kevin’s innovative streak extends to diversifying the business; in recent years, he’s explored carbon credit programs to offset emissions, aligning with Maine’s growing focus on climate resilience amid changing weather patterns affecting the Gulf of Maine region.
Entrepreneurially, Kevin has authored books like “Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse,” drawing parallels between Maine’s forests and his experiences with the Oglala Lakota on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This cross-cultural approach has influenced Hancock Lumber’s community initiatives, including employee profit-sharing and local hiring preferences that bolster rural economies in places like Rumford and Paris, where mill towns have faced decline.
Balancing Harvest and Preservation
Practical tips for understanding this balance include exploring Maine’s public lands. For instance, the nearby White Mountain National Forest offers trails like the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness, where hikers can observe selective logging practices. Kevin advocates for “low-impact” methods, such as using smaller equipment to minimize soil disruption, which helps maintain the biodiversity that draws tourists to spots like the Appalachian Trail’s Maine sections.
“We’re not just cutting trees; we’re stewarding forests for the long haul.” – Kevin Hancock
Community Ties and Future Visions
Kevin’s work extends beyond business into advocacy for indigenous rights and conservation, inspired by his collaborations with the Penobscot Nation. In 2015, he helped facilitate dialogues between lumber interests and tribal leaders, emphasizing shared stewardship of Maine’s rivers and woods. This reflects a broader community pride in places like the Penobscot River, where ecological restoration projects have revived Atlantic salmon runs.
Locals in Bethel often gather at spots like the Bethel Outdoor Adventure and Campground, where stories of the lumber industry’s evolution are shared over campfires. Kevin’s vision for the future includes expanding sustainable practices amid climate challenges, such as increased storm events impacting forest health. “Maine’s wilderness is our greatest asset,” he noted in a talk at the University of Maine, urging younger entrepreneurs to prioritize long-term ecological health over short-term gains.
For visitors, engaging with this world means supporting local spots like the Good Food Store in Bethel for farm-to-table meals featuring regional ingredients, or joining guided forest walks through organizations like the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley, which showcases historical tools and modern sustainability efforts.
In reflecting on his journey, Kevin Hancock represents the enduring charm of Maine’s people—folks who draw strength from the land’s quiet power. His story, set against the backdrop of western Maine’s rolling hills and dense woodlands, reminds us that true entrepreneurship here isn’t about conquest, but coexistence with the wild.
