GORHAM, ME (January 10, 2022) – Former Maine gubernatorial candidate and founder of Moody’s Collision Center, Shawn Moody, has earned two major awards for his lifelong commitment to building Maine’s economy and workforce. This December, Moody earned both the 2022 Freedom and Opportunity Award from the Maine Policy Institute and the 2022 Excellence Award in Workforce Partnership from MEMIC. Moody was selected for his demonstrated ability to create jobs; his continued commitment to expand Maine’s workforce; and for his innovative solutions to engage Maine’s unemployed and underemployed.

“With the need to replenish an aging workforce, Shawn has worked all the levers to help bring the next generation of skilled workers into the Maine economy. We are pleased to recognize him – he’s earned it,” said Michael Bourque, President and CEO, MEMIC.

Since founding the company in 1977 while still in high school, Moody has grown it into the largest independent collision center in the northeast with 14 location and 240 co-worker owners. In 2003, as an early adopter of the increasingly popular ESOP model, Moody transitioned ownership to his coworkers so they could begin building equity and success in their own careers. Each year since then, Moody’s Collision Center has grown roughly 17-percent year over year.

Speaking on his behalf via video message at a December ceremony, United States Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) said, “Shawn has provided opportunity to his employees and quality service to his customers ­– he exemplifies the very best of our business community.”

In 2022, Senator Collins co-sponsored the Asylum Seeker Authorization Act, which would shorten the waiting period from 180 days to 30 days before legal immigrants could receive work authorizations. To build upon that, Moody developed a partnership with the Community College System and CTE schools, and together they are constructing a program that will assess skill, regardless of industry experience. The program will improve professional opportunities available to Mainers changing careers, and for new Mainers with prior career experience from their home countries. The SOAR program will be rolled out in Spring 2023.

In 2010, Moody founded the Blue Collar Scholarship Foundation, which annually awards scholarships or tool-ships for those continuing education or entering the workforce. The foundation has since delivered over $385,000 in awards to 286 deserving Mainers.

“Shawn has created hundreds of well-paying jobs in Maine, embodies entrepreneurship and leads by example – selecting him was an easy choice,” said Matthew Gagnon, CEO, Maine Policy Institute.

A lifelong resident of Gorham, Moody is a father to four children and has three grandchildren. Moody’s son, Nate, was named to Mainebiz’s 40 Under 40 for his work in advancing financial literacy among younger generations; and his daughter Danielle and son Ben are both in leadership positions at Moody’s. Moody twice ran for Governor of Maine, and he was the first Mainer to ever serve on both the UMaine System and the Maine Community College Boards of Trustees with a goal of improving communication and collaboration between our public institutions.

“As Mainers, I believe we’re all working toward the same goals – to build a strong future full of opportunity for our young people and to position our state to thrive for decades to come,” Moody said.