Family and Career
Our family grew up in the town of Gorham with roots going back three generations. Our mom was a self-employed beautician and raised us to believe we could become whatever we put our mind to. After our parents divorced, Dad relocated to Worcester, MA and continued to provide love and support over the years. I am the youngest of three children. Thad, my older brother, served two terms on the Gorham Town Council and was chairperson for one of those terms. I remember he ran for his second term without putting up signs; he received the most votes that year. Thad leads our operations at Moody’s. Kim worked her way through school and received her doctoral degree. She teaches nursing at USM and still works per diem in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Maine Medical Center. Growing up, I worshipped Thad and Kim. The three of us grew up rich in love and caring.
Taking my mother’s words to heart and starting from scratch, at the age of thirteen, I started working on cars out of her garage. At fifteen, I rebuilt my first high-performance engine. At sixteen, I painted my first “all over” paint job. At seventeen, I bought a quarter acre lot for $1000 and borrowed $6000 from Atlantic Federal Savings and Loan.Dave Roberts allowed me to help him construct a 34 x 30 3-bay garage, and entering my senior year at Gorham High School, I was a property taxpayer and small business owner with a mortgage of $67.44 a month.
I’ve been married to Chris Moody for 23 years. When Chris and I first met, she was working with handicapped adults as a caseworker in Goodwill’s Life Skills program. While raising our children, Chris returned to school and earned an elementary education teaching certificate and BS from the University of Southern Maine. All our children attended public school in Gorham. Our three oldest graduated from Gorham High School. In May, Danielle graduated with a business degree from Bryant University. Jim is a sophomore at Bates College. Ben is learning the trade here at Moody’s, and Nate is a sophomore at Gorham High School. Like most Mainers, we work hard, sacrifice, and save to provide for a better life for those around us.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Implementation 2003
Life has changed since the late 1970’s. By 2009, Moody’s Collision Centers had grown to the largest auto collision repair business in New England with five locations and a team of dedicated co-workers/co-owners who take care of more than 7,000 customers each year. Our record of customer service and operating performance is in the top 1% of 40,000 shops nationwide. Over the years, Moody’s has been recognized by local, state, and national organizations. In 2000, I received the Gorham Business Person of the Year Award. In 2003, we won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Business. In 2008, the DEP recognized Moody’s as an industry leader in environmental excellence. We’ve walked the walk.
I envision a State of Maine that rates in the top percentile nationwide. Let’s be the country’s leader in the way we treat the people and in the responsible, honest, and productive way we operate. When we strengthen Maine’s economic, educational, and environmental climate we will fuel growth and prosperity. Maine will reclaim its title, “the way life should be.”
