NH Business Review recognized 17 business owners and operators for their initiative, creativity and determination at the 19th annual Business Excellence Awards event, on Oct. 6, presented by Citizens.
Among them was Executive Director Dean Christon of the NH Housing Finance Authority, who was inducted into the NH Business Review Business Excellence Hall of Fame.
NH Business Review thanks presenting sponsor Citizens for an evening that demonstrated the resilience, imagination and optimism of individuals who represent the Granite State’s community of entrepreneurial minds and collective community action.
Also, sincere thanks is in order to silver sponsor Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; and general sponsors Connection, UnitedHealthcare, Bangor Savings Bank, Melanson Certified Public Accountants, Service Credit Union, Beam Suntory, Primary Bank, Edify Multimedia Group, NH PBS and the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Adam Wagner
Market Square Architects
Business & Professional Services — Small Business
Adam has been an instrumental leader in the New England region for the past 20 years helping two prior firms make the Inc. 5000 list for fastest-growing companies. Adam has designed multi-family housing, industrial spaces, commercial offices, medical and assisted-living facilities and educational institutions. His designs have contributed to new buildings throughout Texas, New England and the East Coast. Adam is also passionate about helping his community through serving on multiple boards and local nonprofits.
Cameron G. Shilling
McLane Middleton
Business & Professional Services — Large Business
In his 20-plus years as a lawyer, Cameron has managed, litigated and resolved numerous commercial matters involving data security, technology, business and employment issues in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New England and around the country. His education and depth of legal experience, as well as his professional interests and passions, are strengths that Cameron leverages to provide the highest quality counseling and litigation services to clients. Cameron’s aptitudes in these areas have enabled him to develop an extensive body of knowledge and skill with litigation technology, forensics and electronic discovery.
John Mortimer
Millennium Running
Consumer Services — Small Business
As owner and founder of Millennium Running, John has provided race services for nearly 100 annual events that include online registration and timing. The organization has raised over $75,000 for local nonprofits, and eclipsed the $1 million mark in charitable giving from event proceeds in 2021. John started his career as a runner in high school and college at the University of Michigan, with a professional running career for Adidas & Reebok. He has participated in prestigious meets throughout Europe and the United States, and has received accolades for his company’s unprecedented growth and community outreach.
Amy LaBelle
LaBelle Winery
Consumer Services — Large Business
Formerly a corporate attorney practicing in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Amy’s lifelong interest in wine led her to open LaBelle Winery to pursue her passion for winemaking.
With LaBelle Winery developing into a destination winery with three locations in Amherst, Portsmouth and Derry, Amy has focused all her time on making world-class wine in New Hampshire. From building LaBelle Winery, she has emerged as a strong leader and mentor, a certified winemaker, farmer, producer of farm-to-table food, innovative entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Susan Martore-Baker
Cambridge Trust Company of New Hampshire
Financial Services — Small Business
With over 40 years of trust and investment experience at various financial institutions, Susan is recognized throughout New Hampshire for her work with individuals, corporations, charitable organizations and municipalities to help them identify and achieve their financial goals.
As a New Hampshire business leader and resident, Susan is committed to serving the needs of the communities in which she lives and works, and devoting her time as an officer or board member for several nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Brendan P. Keegan
Merchants Fleet
Financial Services — Large Business
Brendan has led several tech and financial services organizations as an award-winning president and CEO for companies located in nearly 150 countries. Because of his innovative leadership, he has been able to position Merchants Fleet as the fastest-growing fleet management company in North America, transforming the company to be a model within the fleet industry. Along with his wife, Dana, Brendan founded the Keegan Courage & Faith Foundation with the goal of giving back $1 million to youth programs.
Dr. Joshua Osofsky & Dr. Drew Wilson
Family Dental Care of Milford P.A.
Healthcare — Small Business
Dr. Joshua Osofsky has been an asset to the Family Dental Care of Milford team since 2007. He obtained his AB in Biology at Harvard University and received his D.M.D. from Tufts University of Dental Medicine in 2006. Dr. Osofsky has committed to completing multiple continuing education courses to become certified in cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, veneers, implantology, laser dentistry and restorative dentistry.
Dr. Drew Wilson graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 1991, and served as a dental officer in the U.S. Army in 1997. In that time, he completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and has since earned his Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction only earned by 2% of general dentists.
Paul Forte
FedPoint
Healthcare — Large Business
Under two decades of Paul’s leadership, FedPoint has become a major third-party administrator of large benefits contracts across the federal civilian workforce and military. Paul’s expertise has propelled FedPoint to the forefront of the industry, which has led to the company securing three successive federal contracts for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program awarded by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Paul has also devoted his time and effort to support military veterans and founded a mentoring program that pairs military retirees with local business leaders.
Tom Moulton
Sleepnet Corporation
Manufacturing — Small Business
Tom is a community advocate and storied entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in successfully founding, leading and growing companies in industries including manufacturing, real estate development, construction and food service. As an active real estate investor, Tom owns several commercial, residential and mixed-use properties in southern New Hampshire, including the Tailgate Tavern in Stratham and the Great East Butcher Company in Scarborough, Maine. During the pandemic, Sleepnet’s reusable envo mask, with its replaceable filter, has protected thousands of front-line workers across the globe.
Jade Monahan
Adventure Ready Brands
Manufacturing — Large Business
Under Jade’s leadership, she guides the team at Adventure Ready Brands regarding best practices such as hiring, benefits, coaching and developing of employees. She was the champion to kickstart Adventure Ready Girls, a program built on the belief that spending time outdoors offers huge benefits in building confidence, self-esteem and creativity, as well as forming lifelong healthy habits of participating in outdoor activities. Jade has led the charge with developing and executing programs like this, with the goal of getting 1 million girls outside by 2025.
Kathy Collinsworth
Monadnock Humane Society
Nonprofit — Small Business
In support of the Monadnock Humane Society’s mission, Kathy introduces community-wide programs and collaborates with other nonprofits and charitable organizations that will help support her community’s needs. Kathy’s leadership has grown exponentially during the pandemic as she continued offering much-needed community services, with an in-house pet food pantry, curbside deliveries to local food pantries, animal care and adoptions, and much more. Her endeavors continue to enhance the organization’s role in the community and allows those without a voice to be heard at the state level for new legislation.
Maureen Beauregard
Easterseals New Hampshire
Nonprofit — Large Business
Maureen started her lifelong commitment to helping others by working for the State of New Hampshire Division for Children and Youth Services as a child protective service worker. Based on her personal experiences of moving through foster care with her siblings as children, Maureen took action by founding Families in Transition in 1991, and has since helped countless families and children throughout her career as president and CEO of Easterseals.
Kelly Roosa Cohen
Cohen Closing & Title, LLC
Real Estate & Construction — Small Business
After spending over a decade in the real estate industry working with brokerage, mediation, education and title services, Kelly founded Cohen Closing & Title in 2015. When the pandemic hit, Kelly spearheaded the legislation to have Remote Online Notarization passed in the State Senate, and continued to offer virtual education classes for real estate agents. Even amidst this economic crisis, she was able to open five new offices in NH. Kelly’s vision for the company has always focused on helping those who need it most, partnering with many organizations to do just that.
Kyle Reagan
DECCO, Inc.
Real Estate & Construction — Large Business
Kyle began his career at DECCO as a project engineer, quickly advancing to become the CEO.
With Kyle at the helm, the company encourages team members to support the local communities where they live and work through an internal philanthropic committee. DECCO recently opened a Craft Training Center and Weld School in Brookline, which provides career opportunities for people interested in the construction trades. The program has produced state and national winners in the Associated Builders & Contractors Annual Craft Olympics and is the most awarded program in America.
Jessica Cantin
YWCA New Hampshire
Social Equity — Small Business
Under Jessica’s leadership, the YWCA celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and is the longestserving women’s organization in the state. She has been a public speaker at local, regional and national events on her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence and childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences, child and family development, and creating trauma-informed communities. Jessica codeveloped the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team, the Southern New Hampshire University Center for New Americans and the Transitional Housing Program for homeless survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Christine Miska
BAE Systems
Technology — Large Business
At BAE Systems, Christine oversees the creation of technologies that protect military aircraft. With a lack of female role models in the field, she has made it a priority to mentor high-potential female engineers through STEM and leadership development programs. She oversees the BAE Systems Women in Technology program, and is also the co-founder of Tech Kids, a STEM program for 4th and 5th grade girls. Christine motivated her FIRST Robotics Competition team to 3D-print and assemble more than 300 masks for teachers during the pandemic.
Dean Christon
NH Housing
Hall of Fame
Before joining New Hampshire Housing 34 years ago, Dean was staff director for the Joint Committee on Review of Agencies and Programs for the New Hampshire General Court.
He serves as a member of the State of New Hampshire’s Council of Partner Agencies, Council on Resources and Development, Community Development Advisory Committee, and Interagency Council on Homelessness. Thanks to Dean’s dedication to the people of this state, he has helped thousands of families purchase their own homes and been instrumental in financing the creation of multifamily housing units in New Hampshire.
