Stephen Kocacz

University of Connecticut, BA Chemistry, BS Mechanical Engineering,  1971 

Stephen strives to be in a position where he can have an impactful influence on helping the State of Maine and Maine companies successfully lead the Climate Change battle.  

Stephen is retired and is the founder and former president of Autoworks, Inc. of Kittery; over his 45 years he grew it to a high performing team of 22 which earned multiple recognitions and awards from the Mane AAA as the best independent automotive service facility in the state. 

While at Autoworks, he also served on municipal Energy, Sustainability, and Workforce Housing Committees in Kittery and York.  Stephen and the Autoworks’ team hosted 17 charity “garage dances” inside the service garage to benefit local non-profits in the southern Maine and Portsmouth New Hampshire communities.

Stephen and other community stakeholders collaborated with Joyce Taylor of the Maine D.O.T. on the design of the Memorial and Sarah Mildred Long bridge replacements which connect Maine with New Hampshire.  

He applied for and was awarded a U.S.D.A. R.E.A.P. Grant with which he was able to single handedly install a 27 megawatt 75 panel solar array on the roof of the Autoworks garage.

Through his more than half century in the automotive service profession and a passion for renewable energy, Stephen retains strong mechanical skills and keeps abreast of developments in the motor vehicle sector.  His 4-1/2 decades as an entrepreneur and small business owner has taught him that businesses must be prudent yet decisive, agile, and compassionate by placing a high value on top performing staff. 

Stephen is an organic gardener, competitive year-round Laser sailboat racer throughout New England, and has bicycled toured in China, Colorado, and across the United States

In 2023 he served as a judge at the University of Maine at Orono Windstorm Challenge competition.

Stephen believes that Climate Change is an existential challenge for our civilization and meeting that challenge will require leadership and commitment from the business community and legislature embracing profitable innovations.