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NEW GLOUCESTER — Sen. Rod Whittemore, R-Somerset, was selected by the Retail Association of Maine Board of Directors as the winner of the organization’s 2018 Jim McGregor Government Service Award.
The award was presented Oct. 10 at the Summit at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester.
The award is named for the association’s retired director of government affairs, whose decades of hard work in the public policy arena paved the way for setting the standard for the award, which recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond in support of Maine’s retail community, the organizaton said. McGregor retired in 2010.
Whittemore, who is not running for re-election because of term limits, has been a leader in advocating for small businesses and retailers, the organization said in a news release.
“As a successful businessman, he is able to share his real-life experience in formulating sound public policy,” it said. “He worked with the Retail Association of Maine and other interest groups to clarify that retailers can properly advertise a cash and credit price to consumers. Without Whittemore’s leadership and advocacy, a number of retailers and gas stations were in danger of running afoul of the Maine law that prohibited this practice.
“Whittemore brought together regulators and stakeholders from all sides to help clarify how retailers can properly advertise pricing.”
The release said that Whittemore has been described as a voice of reason who works with members of both parties throughout his career. He chaired the Insurance and Financial Services Committee, which frequently deals with the cost of health insurance for small businesses and Mainers. Whittemore often shares his perspective of running a small business and relaying the impacts of potential legislation on how it will impact small business.
He owns Whittemore and Sons, Inc., an outdoor power equipment dealership in Skowhegan. Additionally, Whittemore sponsored legislation to make it easier for franchised equipment dealers to be properly compensated for warrantied repair work.
“Senator Whittemore rightfully deserves recognition for fighting for Maine’s small businesses and his willingness to reach a reasonable middle ground on difficult issues,” said Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Retail Association of Maine. We are sad to see him leave the Maine Senate, but his service to the people of Maine should be heralded.”
“It has been an incredible honor to represent the people of Somerset County in the Maine Senate,” Whittemore said. “To make our state strong, we must support our business community – especially our small, local businesses. I am honored to receive this award, and proud of the work we have accomplished for small businesses.”
Whittemore, of Skowhegan, served six years in the military. He and and his wife of 51 years have three married sons and eight grandchildren.
Nearly 50 years ago, Whittemore and his wife swept out the old chicken coop and started a business in the outdoor power equipment industry. Today, Whittemore and Sons, a retail sales and service dealership, employs 20 people. Son Chad and his wife Shelley hold the reins of the company, which will allow the Whittemores to retire in January 2019. They plan to travel across country with their RV and sail the east coast from Maine to Florida.
The Jim McGregor Government Service Award has been presented annually to a wide list of state and local officials.
In 2017, State Rep. Martin Grohman, D-Biddeford, received the award. Past recipients include: Sen. Amy Volk, R-Scarborough; Sen. Mike Thibodeau, R- Winterport; Kenneth McCall of the University of New England; U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Attorney General Janet Mills.
The Retail Association of Maine is a statewide non-profit trade association representing more than 300 businesses in the state, from large chains to small independent retailers.
