Jordan family trip to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming in 1982. Left to right: Grant Beck (guide), Pat Jordan (mother), Joanne Jordan (daughter), unidentified ranch hand, Julie Jordan Marchese (daughter), Joe Jordan (son), Jill Jordan LaRoche (daughter), Chet Jordan (father).
A native of Portland, Joseph “Chet” Jordan graduated from South Portland High School in 1945. During his school years, starting at about age 12, he worked part time at the family business, Jordan’s Ready-To-Eat Meats. After graduation, Jordan entered the service. When World War II ended, he headed for the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York, graduating in 1948 with a degree in marine engineering. He went to sea soon after, only to be called back to Portland to take over the family business following the untimely death of his father in 1949. He was 22 at the time. The business was a small meat processor, among many on Commercial Street. Over the years Jordan built the company into one of the largest independent meat processors and distributors in the country.
The Chet Jordan Leadership Award was established at the Maine Community Foundation in 1995 by friends and family to celebrate the rich legacy of Jordan’s leadership in business and civic affairs in Maine. Since then, 38 students have received scholarships totaling $342,340.
Two of Jordan’s children, Julie Marchese and Joe Jordan, serve on the scholarship review committee and here offer some thoughts on their father’s legacy.
Can you share a few memories of your father?
Julie: Dad loved the state of Maine. He was a doer. He wanted to better the state and the people in it. He worked on many boards and was involved in many projects in Portland. He was instrumental in bringing the first ferry to Maine to go between Portland and Nova Scotia. He also helped start the Deering Oaks Family Festival, which took place for many years in Deering Oaks.
Dad never did anything just to do it. He did it big and always thought out of the box. Family vacations were never just something simple – they were always exciting and different. One vacation Dad took the family horseback riding in the Grand Tetons with a guide and cook for two weeks. None of us wanted to go, but when it was time to go home none of us wanted to leave.
He was one of those people who walked into a room and people noticed him. To me, he was larger than life. He believed that all people were good unless you proved him wrong.
Joe: He was a man who didn’t judge his friends by what their stature was or their income. He judged them for who they were and how they treated him. He was tough but fair and loved to see people succeed.
Dad enjoyed the outdoors. It didn’t matter if he caught a fish or shot a deer – he just enjoyed, as he would say, “commiserating with Mother Nature.”
The Chet Jordan Leadership Award supports students pursuing post-secondary education. Why did your family choose a scholarship as a way to honor your father?
Julie: We felt it would be a lasting tribute to him to give back to those who will be the generations of the future.
Joe: Hopefully to make a difference in an individual who has the ability to be a leader, and to create something in remembrance of our father.
You have worked with Maine Community Foundation staff to expand the range of eligible applicants, from high schools in a few counties to high schools across Maine. What inspired you to make this change?
Julie: When the scholarship was started, students in Aroostook County, Bangor, and Cumberland counties were eligible. We picked these places because Dad loved Aroostook County (hunting, fishing and the wonderful people). He had a business that he loved in Bangor and of course he lived in Cumberland County. We have expanded it because the right candidate could be anywhere in Maine.
Joe: We also want to inspire kids to apply who might not think they are worthy of a scholarship of this magnitude.
Chet Jordan Leadership Awards go to students who “are achieving their goals despite hardship, adversity, or disability.” Your father overcame a number of challenges in his life. How has his life inspired you in your own lives?
Julie: We chose to give the scholarship to students who are achieving goals despite hardships because Dad overcame such hardships when he was just a young man. When he was 22, his dad had a heart attack and died. Dad wanted to become a merchant marine, but his life’s ambition immediately changed. He had to go back home and take over the family business. He was from a family of seven children and he was the oldest boy and now it was his job to lead the family. He put his heart and soul into the company. Thanks to his leadership, Jordan’s Food became the largest privately owned food service distribution company on the East Coast and Jordan’s Meat one of the top 50 meat manufacturing companies in the U.S.
Joe: I learned a lot: To be yourself and appreciate the things you have. Treat people as you would like them to treat you. Everybody puts their pants on the same way. Enjoy every moment of your life because things can change at any time. No matter how bad you think you’ve got it, somebody else has got it worse.
The 25th anniversary of the Chet Jordan Leadership Award Fund is coming up in 2020. What is your fondest hope for the fund going forward?
Julie: To keep making a difference in the lives of students who have overcome hardships and still been a leader in their community. We have been doing that for 25 years and have met some pretty incredible people who are doing great things!
What does leadership mean to you?
Joe: The ability to get the most from the people you’re working with and make a difference.
Julie: To me, being a great leader is to have the ability to turn a vision into reality. Hopefully this vision will set a direction and inspire others and make an impact all around you. This is what my father taught me and this is what I have built my career around. I aspire to be a leader in my community just like my dad was.
Julie Jordan Marchese lives in Cumberland and is the owner of Inspired Events, an event planning company. She produces athletic events for nonprofits. She is the founder and race director for Tri for a Cure and Twilight 5K. Joe Jordan lives in Mount Chase. He owns J & A Development.
