David A. Greene Inducted into Maine Business Hall of Fame
Colby’s president is honored for his leadership and commitment to Maine’s economies and communities
Colby President David A. Greene was recently inducted into the Maine Business Hall of Fame for his leadership and pivotal role in improving Maine’s economies and communities.
Presented by Junior Achievement of Maine on Oct. 29, 2025, in Portland, the honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact across the state. Inductees are chosen for their business excellence and for serving as examples for future generations of business leaders.
More than 400 business and community leaders attended the event, which served as a celebration of inductees’ careers while showcasing the impact of Junior Achievement experiences on the lives of young people in Maine.
‘A kind of magic’
Colby alumnus, life trustee, and longtime Maine business leader Joe Boulos ’68, LL.D. ’09 said Greene leads “with a kind of magic” that draws people to him and motivates them to help achieve his vision. “People want to do things for him. They do. He’s the best CEO of any CEO I have ever served with or under,” said Boulos, a Maine Business Hall of Fame inductee in 1997. “His vision is incredible. He is playing in a chess match where he is seeing five moves ahead of everyone else. His ability to get people to go with him to execute that vision is amazing.”
Greene, who became Colby’s 20th president in 2014, spoke about the power of hope, the inspiration he finds in young people, and the importance of the work of Junior Achievement in Maine and across the country.
“Sometimes we worry about the world ahead and what it’s going to be like, and then you see America’s youth come up and you see their creativity, their poise, their brilliance, and their desire to do something more. How can you not want to support that? And that is Junior Achievement,” he said.
“To me, the most fundamental parts of any community begin with education and healthcare. Without those two things, everything else falls apart. You never have a strong workforce, you never have a strong community, and you never have an economy that makes opportunities for other people without those things. Junior Achievement is about making sure education in our schools is going to be as strong as it can be.”
A lifelong passion for Maine
Greene also talked about his early trips to Maine on family vacations and his decision to move to Maine for summer work during his college years. “It got into my soul, and I said someday I will be back in Maine.”
That someday came when Colby recruited him to become its president. Greene was working at the University of Chicago in a job he loved, and he chose the challenge of becoming the president at Colby because of his love of the state and his belief in the institution.
‘This award is not about me. This is about the work this College is doing every single day to make sure that this state is as strong as it can possibly be, that the young people across this state have options in their lives, that they have possibilities, and that they can see the American dream is alive and well in this state.’
Colby President and Maine Business Hall of Fame Inductee David A. Greene
He called special attention to Colby alumni and members of the Board of Trustees who attended the event, including board chair Jane Powers ’86. He also praised the City of Waterville and current Mayor Michael Morris for their support and partnership in revitalizing the city over the past decade.
Since Colby and the city began working together, more than $250 million has been invested in downtown Waterville, including two art centers, new housing, and a boutique hotel. More than 40 new businesses have opened downtown in the last decade. “It’s just amazing to see how things have changed,” Greene said. “If you have not been to Waterville lately, come on up. It’s an amazing place to be.”
Greene also saluted Boulos, who is founder of CBRE/Boulos Brokerage Asset Management and Boulos Development. “Following in your footsteps is an incredible honor for me,” Greene said.
He closed his remarks by returning his focus to the young people of Maine and his hope for the future. “This award is not about me. This is about the work this College is doing every single day to make sure that this state is as strong as it can possibly be, that the young people across this state have options in their lives, that they have possibilities, and that they can see the American dream is alive and well in this state.”
Preparing young people to succeed
A national organization founded more than a century ago, Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy by providing hands-on learning experiences that teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness.
In addition to Greene, Junior Achievement of Maine recognized LuAnn Ballesteros, vice president, external and government affairs at The Jackson Laboratory, and Guy Langevin, executive advisor at Dead River Co.
“Tonight we gather to celebrate excellence, vision, and the power of purpose-driven leadership,” said Michelle Anderson, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Maine. “We honor our laureates—individuals whose leadership, innovation, and integrity have shaped the business landscape and inspired generations.”
