Where did you grow up?
I grew up right here in Scarborough. My parents still live in the same house on Payne Road. From my office at the Acura dealership, my elementary school is a quarter mile one direction and my parents’ house is about 500 yards the other way. I’ve pretty much stayed in my backyard.
What was Scarborough like when you were growing up?
Very different. When I was a kid, there wasn’t much along Payne Road. Where Cabela’s is now was just a farmhouse and woods. We used to play out there and explore the ponds. There was a place called the Fishing Hole where you could pay a few dollars and fish all day.
We rode our bikes everywhere. I remember riding down Payne Road to Eight Corners Market for penny candy when I was seven or eight years old. My parents thought nothing of it. Looking back now, I can’t imagine letting kids bike down Payne Road the way we did.
Why did you decide to stay in Scarborough as an adult?
It’s just a great place to live. The schools are excellent, the beaches are minutes away, Portland is fifteen minutes away, and Boston is only about an hour and a half. You can be in the middle of everything—or completely away from people—in about three minutes. My wife and I both grew up here, so it felt natural to stay and raise our kids in the same community.
Tell me about your neighborhood.
We live on Hillside Avenue across from Blue Point School. It’s one of those neighborhoods where the houses were built in the 1960s. We bought our house in 1997 for $115,000, which sounds unbelievable now. When we first moved in, it felt like stepping back in time. At five o’clock every evening there would be kids playing baseball in the yard and neighbors outside talking. We’d have block parties with 60 people and dozens of kids riding bikes up and down the street. It was just a great place to raise a family.
You’ve seen Scarborough change a lot. What stands out?
Almost everything has changed. The Maine Mall was still a pig farm when my parents bought their house in 1970. Walgreens at Oak Hill was a fruit stand. The land along Haigis Parkway sat mostly empty for years. I think the town has done a pretty good job balancing growth while keeping the small-town feel. We’ve added conveniences like Costco and Cabela’s, but it still feels like Scarborough.
What do you hope for the town going forward?
My biggest hope is that Scarborough continues to grow in a way that preserves that hometown feel. We’re the largest town in Maine geographically, and I’d hate to see it turn into just another small city where people don’t know their neighbors anymore. The challenge is balancing growth with maintaining what makes the town special.
How did you get into the auto industry?
After graduating from the University of Maine, my mom told me it was time to get a job. I ended up at the Portland Press Herald through a temp agency answering phones and taking classified ads. Back then that was a full department—people announcing garage sales, selling cars, printing death notices, everything. I stayed there about 13 years and eventually handled major advertising accounts like Walmart and Hannaford.
When the newspaper industry started changing, I decided it was time to try something new. Marc Greenberg, a fellow Scarborough resident and owner of Marc Motors, hired me in the service department. In 2008, I joined Patriot. I’ve been here ever since.
What does working in Scarborough mean to you personally?
Scarborough gave me a lot growing up. That’s why I’ve always tried to give back. I’ve been on the fire department and rescue for about 25 years. I served as a reserve police officer for a few years and worked as an assistant harbor master. It’s always felt important to me to be part of the community, not just live in it.
What’s something people in town might not know about you?
A few things, actually. I’m an Eagle Scout. For my Eagle project I helped restore the exterior of the Honeywell House, which is the oldest house in Scarborough. I was also one of the original Gym Dandies, so I can juggle and ride a unicycle. And at home I collect vinyl records—I’ve got about 500—and I also have a small game room with pinball machines.
What does Jill Napijalo bring to the dealership as someone who is newer to the area?
Jill brings energy and fresh perspective. People who move here often see things that longtime residents might take for granted. She’s incredibly good at networking and connecting with people. She’s involved in a lot of community groups and is constantly meeting new people. That enthusiasm really helps bring new relationships into the business.
