For years, the Enfield name has been a familiar one in Endwell. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Josh Enfield '03 learned early on what it takes to build something from the ground up. Watching his father, he witnessed firsthand the dedication and hard work that go into starting a business. Eventually, the two teamed up to develop a business plan of their own, creating a family restaurant that would become a beloved gathering place for the Maine-Endwell community.
Little did he know that those years in the food service industry would help pave the way for his future career in sustainability. Today, Enfield is an ESA Certified Sales Executive for Emerald Ecovations, helping businesses reduce food waste, eliminate plastic, and find more sustainable ways to operate. But while his career has taken him in a new direction, his roots in Spartan Country have never changed.
A member of the Class of 2003, Enfield's connection to Maine-Endwell runs deep. From his days working on the 8th grade newspaper project, to working the school store, and being “terrified to step out of line” with his uncle, Middle School Principal Mr. Touhey – Enfield’s favorite memories are filled with the people and traditions that helped shape his Spartan experience.
“Float meetings, the homecoming eve volleyball tournament, and the actual homecoming day parade and all the festivities” are among the memories that stand out, along with the varsity baseball Section 4 championship his senior year. Enfield also looks back fondly on the way various teachers kept him engaged, pointing to the 3rd grade habitat unit, where he and his classmates decorated the entire wing of the school.
Those traditions and values would only continue throughout his time at Maine-Endwell and beyond. After graduation, Enfield attended SUNY Broome and SUNY Oneonta before returning home to help with the family business. Eventually, he’d open his own restaurant, which he operated successfully for six years before selling the business and transitioning into janitorial sales.
His introduction to the food service industry came from his father, whose entrepreneurial spirit left a lasting impression.
“My father was quite the entrepreneur and was a big influence on me,” said Enfield.
He credits the success of the business to the people around him, particularly his wife, Alyssa, and the community that supported them.
“It wouldn’t be what it was without the help, love and support from my wife Alyssa and family and of course the great Maine-Endwell community.”
After selling his restaurant, Enfield moved into janitorial sales, where he continued building relationships with businesses and organizations throughout the region.
His hard work and experience eventually led to an opportunity with Emerald Ecovations, a company focused on sustainable products and helping organizations reduce their environmental impact.
It all started when a former customer reached out with an opportunity, introducing Enfield to a company whose mission immediately caught his attention.
Emerald Ecovations manufactures sustainable, tree-free, plastic-free, and toxin-free products for the janitorial, food service disposable, and consumer packaged goods industries. Beyond its products, the company works directly with customers to develop customized sustainability programs, reduce waste, and navigate evolving environmental requirements.
Enfield now helps businesses identify ways to operate more sustainably, from healthier food service and janitorial programs, to food waste reduction and biodigester initiatives.
His work also includes helping customers with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, along with sustainability initiatives, including a project supporting janitorial and food service operations throughout the SUNY system.
“I have been fortunate to be able to help a lot of my former customers (including M-E) with realizing their full sustainable potential,” said Enfield.
It's a full-circle moment for someone whose career began in a family food service business right here in Endwell. And while Enfield's professional journey has taken him from the family restaurant to sustainability initiatives across New York, his commitment to Maine-Endwell has remained a constant.
He’s spent years giving back through athletics, beginning as an assistant coach for the JV boys basketball team before taking on head coaching responsibilities with JV girls basketball, modified baseball, and JV softball.
“Coaching for ME is a privilege given our great history of athletics,” said Enfield.
He continued, “It allowed me to grow and learn, and taught me many lessons I use to this day now coaching my children in multiple ME programs.”
Along with his coaching, Enfield serves on the Maine-Endwell Little League board, and manages concessions – all while following in his father's footsteps.
His dad was the president when the little league merged the Maine and Endwell programs into one league with Mr. Steve Barrett. And that commitment extends well beyond the athletic fields.
Having attended Maine Memorial himself, Enfield now gets to experience the district from an entirely different perspective as his children grow up at Homer Brink.
“Having gone to MM myself and now seeing my kids grow up at HB has been amazing. It’s like I got the best of both worlds,” said Enfield.
His children are now third-generation Maine-Endwell students, continuing a family tradition that dates back decades. His uncle was part of the district's first graduating class, and his mother, siblings, and numerous cousins all attended Maine-Endwell.
“We have bled Blue and Gold since 1962 and it is why I have so much Spartan pride,” said Enfield.
His wife, Alyssa, has embraced that same community spirit, serving as Homer Brink PTA president and dedicating her time to supporting students and families.
“Even my wife has fallen in love with this community. Her commitment to the kids is unrivaled and truly amazing in its own right,” said Enfield.
Looking back, Enfield credits the teachers, coaches, and mentors who helped shape his path with providing lessons that continue to serve him today.
He remembers coaches like Mr. Josey and Mr. Krowiak pushing him to work hard and improve every day, while teachers like Mr. Rossi, Mr. L'Amereaux, and Mr. Titus made learning engaging and memorable.
And, of course, there was Ms. Beatty, now known as Mrs. Murat, who “always kept him in check.”
From his years as a student, to his work as a business owner, coach, and father - Enfield has remained connected to the people and traditions that make Maine-Endwell special.
His story is a reminder that sometimes the experiences that shape our futures begin right at home. For Enfield, the family business that helped launch his career became the foundation for a new mission: helping businesses operate more sustainably while continuing to give back to the community that has always been there for him.