William L. Alfond

Legendary baseball guru John Winkin paused and smiled in winter 2014 when asked about Bill Alfond, who played for Winkin’s State Champion Legion team in the mid-1960s. 

“Billy was a good player who had two strong attributes — he listened and he worked until he got things right,” Winkin said. 

These qualities would be important assets as Alfond moved through life’s challenges and celebrations.

Playing alongside Hall of Famer Doug Brown and many other talented athletes, Alfond started on the 1964 American Legion State Championship team coached by Winkin.

He played a multitude of sports growing up in Waterville and Belgrade and competed intensely with his brothers Ted and Peter. Sister Susan also was very much in the mix.  Patriarch Harold and the wonderful Dorothy “Bibby” led the family and the foundation they established has resulted in one of the great families in Maine and the United States.

During these early years coaches, including Winkin and John “Swisher” Mitchell, helped Alfond expand his skills and understand how to play. He developed the passion to be successful. 

Alfond attended Eaglebrook School, then Governor Dummer Academy (now Governor’s Academy) in South Byfield, Massachusetts and he began to focus on soccer, baseball and golf. 

His college years at Colby brought further opportunity to participate. Alfond played goalie for the freshmen and varsity soccer teams and he was a top-flight performer on the golf team. On the recreational side, he became an accomplished skier and he has continued to ski and golf to this day. Moreover, Alfond has remained connected with and loyal to the schools he attended; he maintains an ongoing relationship that endures to this day.

After Colby, Alfond carved out a three-decade career with Dexter Shoe, first in manufacturing in Puerto Rico, then with national and international growth in Dexter, and the final decade working in Boston. Throughout his 30-year career with Dexter Shoe, Alfond handled cross-functional responsibilities from production floor to corporate office.

During this time, Alfond and his wife, Joan, CEO of Concierge Services for Students-International, built a strong family with children Justin, Kenden and Reis. And they’re now enjoying the fruits of grandparenthood. 

The William and Joan Alfond Foundation, formed in 1986, has benefited communities, health-care and nonprofit programs across Maine from Eastport to Carrabassett Valley. One of the couple’s interests is the wonderful EDUCARE Program in Waterville that is dedicated to the early childhood education of disadvantaged youth in Central Maine.

Sport and athletics have been a large component of Alfond’s life experiences. From the 1970s, he has been a limited partner with the Boston Red Sox. In addition, University of Maine at Orono, Colby, University of New England, St. Joseph’s, Thomas, and Husson all have enhanced athletic programs through partnerships with the Alfond Foundation. Bill has been involved in each project along the way. In addition, he has developed a caring philanthropy, demonstrating significant service to nonprofit groups and assuming Board of Trustee positions at many schools and organizations.

These include Colby College, Governor’s Academy, Carrabassett Valley Academy, as well as many others. As a member of the US Biathlon Organization, Alfond has been instrumental in developing the Maine Winter Sports Center, which has risen to be international in scope and is putting a Maine mark on the world biathlon scene.

Beyond everything else, Bill Alfond exudes a caring and humble presence in all he accomplishes.