Maine Maritime Academy

The Honorable W. Tom Sawyer, Jr., Trustee Emeritus
Dedham, Maine

Born and brought up in Bangor, Tom graduated from the University of Denver where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education but returned shortly thereafter to join the family-owned waste management and recycling business which thrived under his direction for the next 27 years.  Sawyer was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1990.  Tom has a long history with Maine Maritime Academy: his father was a member of the class of ’45 and Tom has previously served as both a Visitor and a Trustee.  His list of public service is impressive and includes terms on the Bangor City Council, as Mayor, and as State Senator.  Additionally, he is a member of numerous other boards, non-profit and for-profit, educational and philanthropic.  Tom is an avid sailor, holds a current 100-ton Master’s License with commercial towing and auxiliary sail endorsements and can often be seen patrolling Penobscot Bay as Flotilla Commander for the USCG Auxiliary aboard his 40′ motor yacht.