WATERVILLE — Phil Bofia is front and center when it comes to giving back.
He is chairman of KVConnect, a networking group of young professionals; a member of the Waterville Rotary Club and Waterville Airport Advisory Committee; vice president of Waterville Area Habitat for Humanity; a trustee for Kennebec Valley Community College; and a member of both the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s marketing and membership committee and the KSW Federal Credit Union board of directors.
Beyond that, Bofia, 30, loves Waterville and wants to see it grow and prosper.
“One of my things has always been to give back and try to help others, because I find myself in a place where, if not for other people’s help, I wouldn’t be where I am,” he said.
For his community involvement, Bofia will be given the 2017 Rising Star Award by the chamber and will receive the honor Thursday at the chamber’s annual banquet and awards ceremony at Kennebec Valley Community College.
The award is given to a person under 40 who is in a management or other leadership capacity within a business organization and illustrates a combination of business success and community involvement.
“I have rarely seen someone ingratiate themselves into a community as quickly and thoroughly as Phil has,” said Kimberly Lindlof, chamber president and chief executive officer. “Phil’s joyful personality lights up a room, and his leadership style is one of inclusiveness. He has a team-building spirit that makes you want to join in the cause.”
Bofia is a business analyst for CGI Group, an information technology consulting company that moved recently from the Hathaway Creative Center to 173 Main St., a building owned by Colby College that Colby renovated as part of downtown revitalization efforts.
“It’s very nice,” Bofia said. “We like the proximity of being in the middle of downtown and are really excited to be in the center of everything happening in Waterville. I’m excited to see how downtown will continue to be and grow as more and more businesses move to town and more and more people get hired.”
Bofia moved to the United States from the African nation of Cameroon, went to school in New York and then came to Maine, where he attended the University of Maine, was successful in both academics and athletics, was on the basketball team and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management.
He and his daughter, Alyssa, 9, have lived in Waterville nearly 10 years.
Bofia said when Lindlof called him about a month ago to notify him he was to receive the Rising Star Award, he was surprised.
“I was really excited,” he said. “I’m really humbled and excited and baffled that I was being recognized at such a level by professionals in the community.”
He said that being involved in several organizations represents a time commitment and takes a lot of planning and juggling, but he is rewarded by his work.
“That’s what keeps me going and gets me up every morning and gets me thinking,” he said.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
Twitter: @AmyCalder17
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