Talking business & community with
Maine influencer
Jim Godbout ’ 80
While this interview was taking place at Starbucks , an elderly gentleman sitting nearby suddenly started gasping for air and panicking . Without hesitating , Jim Godbout ’ 80 ran over to comfort the frightened man and to see how he may be able to help until the paramedics arrived . Once the gentleman was in good hands , Jim walked back over to complete the interview without skipping a beat .
Named one of the Top Fifty Influential People in Maine , Rotarian of the Year , recipient of the Rotary Humanitarian award , as well as Saco ’ s Outstanding Community Service award , and several accolades for the success of Jim Godbout ’ s Plumbing , Heating , and Air Conditioning , one might think Jim has accomplished everything he ’ s set out to do . Not so . “ My goal is to work as long as I can to make as much of an impact on as many people as I can . It ’ s not what you have , but what you are remembered for .”
Forced to grow up quickly , Jim Godbout learned responsibility , hard work , and perseverance at a young age . At five years old , Jim ’ s twin brother , John , died of leukemia . His father left the family shortly afterward and Jim was in charge of helping to raise his younger brothers . Aside from having to help with the cooking and cleaning , Jim went to work at age 12 . “ All the money I made went to family and paying the bills . That was not common back in my generation . I learned early on that my work ethic and drive could help the people I cared about most .”
During his high school years , Jim had ongoing health issues that made academics a challenge . He was disinterested in class work and needed a better option . With the suggestion of his guidance counselor , Richard Beaumont , and Headmaster Jim Jortberg , he was introduced to
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Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating , Inc . has been named one of the top 100 Plumbing & HVAC companies in the U . S . numerous times .