BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – United Technologies Center in Bangor is celebrating one of its instructors and his recent major accomplishment.

Paul “Butch” Jones started working on cars back when he purchased his first.

“[It was a] ‘64 mustang convertible,” Jones explained. “It was pretty rough, though. Paid 300 bucks for it. Spent all summer fixing it up.”

Now the Corinna native is sharing what he’s learned with the next generation of Maine’s automotive technicians.

“The future of the automotive industry is in extremely good hands with Butch,” said Kim Cotta, talent development manager, Darling’s Auto.

Butch has spent the last decade of his storied career teaching the automotive technology program at UTC.

“Interacting with the students, I’d have to say that’s my favorite part,” Jones said. “Seeing the light bulb go off and sharing some of my experiences with them.”

Earlier this month, Butch was recognized for his work when he received the Maine Association of Career and Technical Education lifetime achievement award.

The honor is dedicated to those who make a lasting impact in students’ lives over a long period of time.

“I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know how to put it into words. There’s probably a lot of people that are just as deserving as I was. That’s how I felt,” Jones said. “But, I was pleased.”

“Somebody with his level of technical expertise and experience could have a very lucrative career in the automotive industry. But instead, he chooses this really important work. So, I think that that says a lot about Butch as a person,” Cotta said.

Butch is much more comfortable in the shop that serves as his classroom than in the spotlight. It’s where he’s making life-long connections with students and preparing them to enter the workforce, sometimes before they even graduate high school.

“He’s already set me up with a job. I’m working at Darling’s, actually. So, he’s already setting me up on the right path there,” said UTC student Brandon Preble, of Brewer.

“One of my favorite parts is I’ll walk into a business and I’ll hear, Mr. Jones!’ and there’s students from five, six years ago in management positions, and doing well as technicians, or moved in different areas. That’s satisfying,” Jones said.

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