What brought you to USM?
When I was finishing high school in South Portland, my father, a Dartmouth Grad, was adamant that I go to college. I wasn鈥檛 sure what I wanted to do, but commuting locally to what was then called the University of Maine Portland-Gorham鈥擯OGO鈥攋ust made sense.
My father was an earth science teacher at Lincoln Junior High School in Portland. He created and led a mineral club at the school. He became fascinated by rocks and often took me on rock-hunting trips. Because of that, I started thinking maybe I鈥檇 become a geologist.
Working hard was a value that was instilled in me from an early age. Before I attended USM, I worked as a gravedigger during high school. While this was difficult work, it motivated me to want to build a better life for myself. USM was a pathway to achieving this dream. Once I enrolled, I continued to work full time 鈥攐ver 40 hours a week鈥攁s a car mechanic at Raymond鈥檚 Tire Center. I paid my own way through school; at the time, tuition was just $200 a semester. I remember getting a 25-cent bonus for every customer I convinced to replace a tire valve stem! Later, I worked at Zayre鈥檚 as a stock boy in the cosmetics section. I basically supported myself and worked hard to make things happen.
USM is where I really began to come out of my shell. But eventually, I followed my girlfriend at the time to UMaine Orono, where I completed my degree. Before I transferred, someone encouraged me to take an accounting class鈥攁nd by gosh, I loved it. I had always been good at math, and to me, accounting felt like a beautiful art form. At Orono, I officially changed my major to accounting. The relationship with my girlfriend didn鈥檛 last, but I kept applying myself, made strong connections with peers, and joined a fraternity (Theta Chi), where I served as treasurer. I later found out my father had been in the same fraternity at Dartmouth!
In my senior year, I landed an interview with one of the 鈥淏ig 8鈥� accounting firms鈥攁nd got the job. After graduation, I began my career and, over several attempts, passed the CPA exam. At my first job, I worked with a client called Value House. They were so impressed with my work that they offered me a role as their controller. That experience opened the door to the private sector and inspired me to start my own CPA practice鈥攆irst as a side hustle, and then full-time in 1974. I launched the firm in my basement and eventually worked my way up to owning my own office building and bringing in great partners.
To this day, I credit that first accounting class at USM for setting everything in motion.
What was your experience at USM like?
I pursued my MBA at USM while working full-time. It was not always an easy ride, but I was incredibly motivated. This is illustrated by the following story: I was the last student in USM MBA history to receive a 鈥渉ook鈥濃�攁 failing grade in a course that I wouldn鈥檛 be allowed to retake. However, I wanted to succeed so badly that I asked to retake the course. Initially, the faculty said no, so I asked them to show me the policy in writing. Turns out there was no written policy! After some convincing, they let me retake the course鈥攁nd I earned an A, the highest grade in the class.
Moments like this build character and emphasize the importance of appreciating your education and wanting to be the best you can be.
While I had wonderful experiences at both USM and UMaine Orono, I always felt that USM was the 鈥渂usiness center.鈥� Ultimately, USM is home for me, and I connect to it on so many levels. I was involved in an USM health and wellness program called Lifeline for over 40 years, and that was transformative for my physical health鈥擨 lost over 50 pounds!
How did your career unfold after attending USM?
For most of my career, I worked primarily with affordable housing owners, managers, and public housing authorities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. My CPA firm, Otis/Atwell, is now the seventh-largest public accounting firm in the state and is known nationally. We strive to put people first and foster a great work environment. In fact, we have been recognized as one of the best workplaces in Maine. During my career, and currently, I also own 61 units of Section 8 affordable housing.
Of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
The impact I鈥檝e been able to make on the affordable housing industry. Being involved in the industry, giving back, and helping clients achieve their goals gives me profound joy鈥攁nd the knowledge that I鈥檝e made a difference in people鈥檚 lives.
What might others find surprising about your work?
My deep concern for people and the importance I place on being kind. Since I was a young child, my parents instilled in me the importance of treating others with respect. They also taught me to listen rather than always speak, and to be attentive to the world around me. In everything I do, I believe that working together as a team is vital to success鈥攏ot just for yourself, but for everyone around you. Collectively, we can make a positive impact in each other鈥檚 lives.
What do you do for fun / what brings you joy?
I enjoy exercising鈥攅specially running and now rowing. I place a lot of value on my physical health and enjoy the process. I also love spending time with loved ones and traveling.
I deeply care about my community and want to make sure there are resources available for people experiencing homelessness, single parents, and individuals who are trying to do the right thing in life but were dealt a difficult hand. I鈥檓 proud to be the largest individual donor to Community Housing of Maine. I align with their philosophy that affordable housing is a valuable community asset.
I also have established the Otis Affordable Housing Fund with the Maine Community Foundation. In addition, I鈥檝e made it clear that I want nonprofits like Community Housing of Maine to own my properties after I鈥檓 gone.
It鈥檚 been 50 years since you graduated. What are you most grateful for at USM, and why do you continue to give back?
USM gave me an incredible foundation. The quality of professors here was exceptional. In fact, when I was just starting out with my CPA firm, I signed up to teach several beginning accounting courses at USM, which was a really enjoyable experience for me.
I give to USM because it makes me feel good鈥攂ut more importantly, because I can see the tangible impact my giving has on people鈥檚 lives. It brings me great joy to witness the transformation of the Portland campus, which has grown so much since my student days. Through my giving, I鈥檝e helped to create several named spaces on campus and am deeply grateful to provide opportunities for students who were just like me.
Giving in ways that help build USM鈥檚 future is also critically important to me. I鈥檝e included USM in my estate plan because what could make me prouder as a lasting legacy than the ability to sustain a place that has meant so much to me?