The Auburn Business Association Thursday named its Citizen of the Year: John Emerson.

More than 200 people surprised the car dealer beneath a blue and white banner with his name written across. Amid the hugs and congratulations that followed, the still-reeling businessman told friends, “I was bagged.”

The president of Emerson Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac, he is the 29th local leader to be given the honor. He almost made it before, though. Emerson was nominated during each of the last three years.

A chief fund-raiser behind St. Dominic Regional High School’s $12 million capital campaign, Emerson has earned the gratitude of people throughout the region, said Cathy Raynor, vice president of the business association.

The desire to give Emerson the award was so strong, the group changed its rules to make it happen.

Until this year, the group only gave its top award to people who lived in Auburn. Emerson lives in Lewiston. It’s a good change, Raynor said.

“There are many people who work here and volunteer here but live elsewhere,” she said. “They are part of this community, too.”

Emerson grew up in Auburn, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1974. After graduating from college, he joined the family business. His father, Leslie M. Emerson, owned Louis Chevrolet. The dealership moved from Lewiston to Auburn in 1981. It merged with Flock Buick-Pontiac in 1990.

This fall, John Emerson will join with his brother, Jim, the president of Emerson Toyota, to form Emerson Auto Park.

Outside of the car business, John Emerson serves on the board of the Sisters of Charity Health Systems, St. Dominic Regional High School and Central Maine Technical College’s Board of Auto Technology. He donates to many local charities.

For his work in St. Dominic’s fund-raiser, Bishop Joseph Gerry awarded Emerson the Diocesan Conception award in 2000.

On Thursday, he also earned the key to the city. Mayor Normand Guay presented Emerson with the key on a plaque.

“A community is defined by the people who are here,” Guay said. “But there’s always a few people who go a step further. These are the people who keep giving.”

The caliber of the past winners define this honor, he said.

Past recipients include fund-raiser and former state representative Barbara Trafton, developer Tom Platz and former Mayor Lee Young.



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