PRESQUE ISLE – Three county business and construction industry leaders, including the first father/son team, were inducted into the Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame during an Oct. 16 ceremony and reception at Northern Maine Community College.
Richard Nadeau Jr., president and treasurer of Presque Isle-based A & L Construction, Inc., and Raymond and Timothy Todd, treasurer and president, respectively, of R. L. Todd & Son, Inc. of Caribou, were honored and had their official photos unveiled as part of NMCC’s 2008 celebration of National Careers in Construction Week.
“The three individuals we honor this year are truly deserving of recognition,” said Brian McDougal, chair of the trade and technical occupations department at NMCC. “We created a ‘Hall of Fame’ to recognize key individuals who have contributed both to their profession and community, and have served as mentors to others entering the profession. Rick, Ray and Tim certainly live up to these ideals.”
Nadeau, of Presque Isle, a 1972 graduate of Presque Isle High School and a 1974 graduate of then Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute’s construction technology program, went to work for General Supply Corp. in Limestone immediately upon earning his degree. During his 18-year tenure at General Supply, one of the largest general contractors in Maine, Nadeau rose through the ranks to become vice president of the corporation.
After General Supply dissolved due to retirement of its president in 1992, Nadeau and his wife, Marilyn, established A & L Construction, Inc. – named after the couple’s two daughters, Amanda and Lindsay. Richard serves as president and treasurer and Marilyn serves as vice president and secretary of the firm.
“In many ways Rick served as a mentor to me. He is extremely knowledgeable in his profession and I, along with many others, have benefited from his expertise,” said Gregg Collins in his remarks honoring Nadeau. “He is not only an outstanding businessperson, but a civic and community-minded individual who goes above and beyond for others.”
A & L Construction, Inc. employs between 10 and 12 employees on a regular basis and hires additional workers as needed during the summer months. The company is responsible for a number of large construction projects throughout the county, including work at Northern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Leisure Village in Presque Isle, the Harley Welch Building, which houses the Maine Potato Board, Madigan Estates in Houlton, Forest Hill Manor and Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent, The Aroostook Medical Center and the Maine Veteran’s Home.
Nadeau is active in his community. He has served for several years as a dedicated volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in various capacities. His work with the organization earned him the prestigious Mike Williams Award, which is the highest honor given to a volunteer by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Aside from Make-A-Wish, Nadeau has worked on the United Way of Aroostook’s playhouse selection committee for the Dress A Child program, has been a judge for the VICA State Convention and U.S. Skill Olympics. He has also been actively involved in the SAD 1 Music Boosters, helping to raise funds for two major music festival trips to New York City for Presque Isle High School band and chorus members.
Nadeau’s service extends to his alma mater, where he is a long-standing member of the residential construction advisory committee at NMCC. He is also a member of the Building Board of Appeals for the city of Presque Isle and the residential carpentry advisory committee for SAD 1.
Raymond and Timothy Todd, of Caribou, earned the distinction of being the first father/son team honored in the Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame. Raymond Todd is a 1957 graduate of Caribou High School and a 1961 graduate of the University of Maine agricultural mechanization program. He earned his master electrician license in the mid 1960s.
“Ray and Tim have worked together to build a great business,” said Todd Winslow, one of the individuals paying tribute to the Todds. “Their success in business is directly related to their wonderful family. It takes a supportive family to stand behind the men who work long hours and grow a business the way Ray has from the ground up.”
Raymond, who is currently treasurer of the family business, founded R. L. Todd in 1964, the same year he married the former Nancy McIntire of Perham. The business began in the Todd’s basement, where Raymond would construct electronic panels for one of the first potato ventilations systems in Maine – a system that he was instrumental in developing. Raymond Todd worked day and night to sell the systems, install and service them, as well as develop the electrical portion of the business.
The business expanded greatly in the 1970s and work for R. L. Todd expanded to other parts of Maine. Raymond worked several years on his own, and during that time developed numerous pieces of equipment that would assist him to safely do his work.
Raymond Todd is very active in a variety of positions at the Caribou United Baptist Church. He has served in numerous leadership positions in the church and community, including the Baptist Park Youth Camp Board and the Caribou School Board. He has served for several years on the electrical construction and maintenance program advisory committee at NMCC. In addition to their son Timothy, Raymond and Nancy Todd are the parents of Heidi (Todd) Clark, who is married to Stephen Clark, and they have two grandchildren, Cassandra and Katelyn Clark.
Timothy Todd is a 1988 graduate of Caribou High School. He earned two associate of applied science degrees from Northern Maine Technical College in industrial electronics in 1990 and in computer electronics in 1991. In 1994, he earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering technology from the University of Maine. Timothy currently holds licenses as a master electrician in Maine and New Hampshire, as well as an electronic scale repair license in Maine. He is a certified NFPA fire alarm installer.
Upon graduation from U-Maine, Timothy returned to Caribou to become a partner in the business and the name was changed to R. L. Todd and Son, Inc. However, Timothy Todd had a hand in the enterprise since the young age of three, when he would follow his father around with a toolbox and would put on outlet plates.
Today, Timothy Todd serves as company president and oversees a staff of more than 10 employees. He is active in various positions at the Caribou United Baptist Church, and the Aroostook Young Farmers Association, and also serves on the electrical construction and maintenance program advisory committee at NMCC.
Under both Raymond and Timothy Todd, R. L. Todd and Son, Inc. has become an industry leader and has developed to offer a wide array of services for residential, industrial, agricultural and commercial entities.
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the college held three community presentations earlier in the day on Oct. 16 to mark Careers in Construction Week.
This marked the second year NMCC officially celebrated Careers in Construction Week with activities, including the induction ceremony. The Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame was established and officially opened on the campus last fall, when the first five inductees were honored. Plans are to induct new members annually.
The Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame is located inside the main entrance of the Mailman Trades Building in the long corridor that students, faculty, staff and visitors use to enter and exit the building daily.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
THE PHOTO of Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame Inductee Richard Nadeau Jr. is unveiled during the recent induction ceremony at Northern Maine Community College. Joining in the presentation are, from left: Gregg Collins, friend of the inductee; Guy Jackson, NMCC residential construction instructor; Marilyn Nadeau and Rick Nadeau.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
NORTHERN MAINE CONSTRUCTION HALL OF FAME Inductees Raymond and Timothy Todd had their photo unveiled during the recent induction ceremony at Northern Maine Community College. Joining in the presentation are, from left: Charles Kelley, NMCC electrical construction and maintenance instructor; Nancy Todd, Raymond Todd and Timothy Todd.
