ARCHITECTURE

Quayny Porter-Brown and Scott Donovan have joined Warrenstreet Architects as project architect and senior project architect, respectively.

Porter-Brown received a master’s in architecture from Yale University School of Architecture, plus a BA in art history from Vassar College, and Donovan has over 25 years of experience as a LEED-accredited professional.

RETAIL

Early-learning furniture brand Whitney Brothers received a Gold 2023 Spaces4Learning New Product Award, which recognizes product innovation in the educational products market, for its new live-edge collection of tables and seating — the fourth consecutive win for the company.

American Freight — a national home retail store known for its brand-name, quality home furnishings — has opened a new, 25,000-square-foot location in Hooksett at 1328 Hooksett Road. The new store offers a variety of furniture options, from living room and bedroom furniture to kitchen and dining furniture with rugs and home decor accent choices.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Cynthia “Cindi” Woodbury has been named the executive director of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce after serving as the interim executive director for the past few months.

Outdoor Pride Landscape & Snow Management, a New England-based, commercial snow removal and landscape management company, was recently named one of the “Best Companies to Work For” in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine. They were also named the top family-owned business for the second year in a row, as well as one of the fastest growing companies in New Hampshire.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

St. Mary’s Bank has promoted Juan Mas to associate IT director, where he will oversee the credit union’s IT infrastructure, network operations, IT support service desk and cybersecurity operations. He previously held roles with Aspect Software in Chelmsford, Mass., e-Dialog in Burlington, Mass., Admiral Metals and others.

Baker Newman Noyes, an accounting and advisory firm, has promoted 16 promotions in its Portsmouth and Manchester offices: Ashley Barbera, tax manager; Michael Casale, tax senior manager; Shaun Cote, tax senior manager; Lauren Hale, business and technology advisory manager; Ian Robinson, transaction advisory manager; Douglas Uhl, tax manager; Megan Elwell, assurance senior; Molly MacNeilly, assurance senior; Michelle Morrison, tax supervising senior; Justin Pelletier, tax senior; Marissa Mamet, tax senior manager; Jason Innerfield, tax senior; Lucas Jones, assurance senior; John Karch, tax senior; Madeline Moynihan, tax supervisor senior; Paul Mullen, tax supervising senior; and Tiffany Young, assurance senior.

Andrew Guyton, founder of Portsmouth-based firm Forge Financial, has been named a President’s Council Club winner — for demonstrating outstanding service and dedication to clients — for the second consecutive year. He was also recognized as a Centurion Club Winner for the sixth year by the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Additionally, Andrew Guyton was named by Forbes as one of America’s Top Financial Security Professionals, alongside his father Joseph Guyton, owner of the Guyton Group.

Meredith Village Savings Bank recently promoted Denise Hubbard (NMLS# 47515) to vice president, mortgage loan program officer. She was honored as a Platinum Level Loan Originator by New Hampshire Housing in 2022 and 2020 and a Gold Level in 2021. In addition, the bank hired Megan Ryder as vice president, commercial loan officer, out of the Wolfeboro office.

Jessica Folsom has joined financial security company Northwestern Mutual in Manchester as a financial representative.

Before joining the firm, Folsom was a sales associate at The Village Automotive Group in Danvers, Mass.

EDUCATION

Plymouth State University has named Joanne Landers, Ph.D., as vice president for enrollment management and communications. She previously served for three years at Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey as the vice president of enrollment management, and holds a Ph.D. in education with a specialization in leadership in higher education.

Five recent Community College System of New Hampshire graduates have been awarded $20,000 transfer scholarships to the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire. From Great Bay Community College, recipients are Elizabeth Hart of Dover, Taylor Hartley of Hampton and Taran Cartony of Somersworth. From NHTI, Concord’s Community College: Mary Gubitose of Alton and Stephanie Dodson of Concord.

A national report from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse found that the University of New Hampshire is third in the nation for free speech. The report ranked the free speech climate of 248 of America’s most prestigious colleges and universities.

MANUFACTURING

XMA Corporation, a passive microwave components manufacturer, recently announced the promotion of Del Pierson to product line manager. She initially joined the company in 2020 as a sales engineer, and is a current participant in the NH Tech Alliance’s Ascending Leaders in Tech program. ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, partnered with White Mountain Paper to launch an Electrical and Electronics Repairers Registered Apprenticeship program in order to provide skills to future members of the workforce in the paper manufacturing industry. With the program’s “Earn While You Learn” model, apprentices will earn pay while being trained and mentored at one of the country’s oldest paper mills.

NONPROFITS

The Granite YMCA welcomed Doug Currier as its executive director of the Downtown Manchester branch and Eric Rightor as executive director of the YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown. Both Currier and Rightor have long histories with various YMCA organizations in New England, and will work closely with community business leaders and government agencies to promote healthy living for youth and families in the state.

Granite United Way has named Dr. Charles “Chuck” Lloyd, president of White Mountains Community College, as chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors. Additionally, the board welcomed new board members: Kyle M. Barry, NextEra Energy Seabrook Station; Paul DeBassio; Bill Keena, Ameri-Health Caritas New Hampshire; Roxanne Makris, Lincoln Financial Group; Josephine Moran, Ledyard Financial Group; Maura E. Palmer, Salem School District; Dr. Daisy Pierce, Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region; and Kelli Riggs, Comcast’s Northeast Division.

The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, has launched the second phase of its Amplify Fund, which provides support to nonprofit initiatives that benefit low- and moderate-income communities and underrepresented populations. A new request for proposals (RFP) seeks nonprofit collaboratives focused on advancing equity. RFPs are due on Friday, October 6, and can be submitted via mtb.versaic.com with the passcode AF-AEC.

Greater Salem Caregivers has appointed new members to its board of directors: Samantha Borbone, owner of Bee Helpful for Seniors; Joyce Hatfield, retired program director for Greater Salem Caregivers; and Olivia St. Laurent, digital marketing specialist at Pentucket Bank.

The Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College have formed a strategic alliance to promote their mutual interests in advancing First Amendment freedoms and educational programming. The Loeb School will rent space at the institute on the College’s campus and offer classes and workshops at the institute’s location beginning this fall.

The NH Business Committee for the Arts, in partnership with New Hampshire Hospital, is seeking proposals from New England-based artists to create a wall mural for the NHH staff breakroom. The NHBCA has collected $3,000 in donations from its business members to commission an artist to create the mural. Artist proposals will be accepted through September 30 at nhbca.com.

Spaulding Academy & Family Services recently held the grand opening of its adaptive playground, which officials said is a significant milestone for inclusive play opportunities in New England. The new playground is one of the largest in the region with over 10,300 square feet of play area. The academy worked with Miracle Recreation, a playground manufacturer in Missouri, and Pettinelli & Associates, a playground equipment supplier in Williston, Vt., in building the playground.

GOVERNMENT

Eric A. Forcier, deputy secretary of the state Bureau of Securities Regulation, has completed the Toll Fellowship, a leadership program through the Council of State Governments. Forcier, who began his career with the state as an attorney for the Securities Bureau in 2010, was promoted to deputy secretary in July 2021. He has also led several key projects for the Secretary of State’s Elections Division, including a public ballot-counting device demonstration that took place earlier this month.

Bipartisan government relations, public affairs and consulting firm Cornerstone Government Affairs has expanded its Northeast footprint with the opening of a new office in Concord. Working out of the new space will be Marc Goldberg, former chief of staff for Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Mike Vlacich, former senior advisor to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Biden appointee at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

HEALTH CARE

Tammy Boucher has been named the new director of communications at the NH Hospital Association and its affiliated organization, the Foundation for Healthy Communities. Boucher was formerly the president and founder of Boucher Public Relations, and was one of the state’s “40 Under Forty” as well as an Emerging Youth Entrepreneur award winner.

Three senior rehabilitation clinicians at Cornerstone VNA have achieved vestibular certification from the American Institute of Balance: Karen Krause, rehab manager; Lisa Matthews, rehab coordinator; and Cornelius Donnelly.

LAW

More than 20 attorneys from law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC have been included in the 2024 editions of Best Lawyers in America: Andre D. Bouffard, Tristram J. Coffin, Kathleen H. Davis, William J. Dodge, Timothy C. Doherty Jr., Marc B. Heath, R. Prescott Jaunich, Walter E. Judge Jr., Peter B. Kunin, Robert B. Luce, Johan W. E. Maitland, Jennifer E. McDonald, Paul H. Ode, Wm. Roger Prescott, Christopher D. Roy, Timothy Sampson, Timothy E. Copeland, Willemien Dingemans Miller, Elizabeth K. Rattigan, and David J. Sylvester. Four of the firm’s lawyers were recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” — Vermont-based attorneys Robert B. Luce, Christopher D. Roy, David J. Sylvester and James C. Gallagher. Three were named to the Ones to Watch list: Joshua D. Leckey, Evan J. O’Brien and Shannon K. Lenzini.

Jennifer L. Parent, a director and chair of business litigation with McLane Middleton, has been elected to be secretary of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, which supports and disseminates the foundation’s research that explores the intersection of law and society to expand knowledge and advance justice.

A number of attorneys from Shaheen & Gordon were honored with Best Lawyers of America designations, including Stephanie Annunziata, Tracey Goyette Cote, Steven M. Gordon, Cathy J. Green, Brian M. Quirk, James D. Rosenberg, Benjamin Siracusa Hillman, James Armillay, Leah Cole Durst, Christine M. Craig, D. Michael Noonan, Sean O’Connell, William H. Shaheen, Lawrence A. Vogelman, Ronald L. Abramson, Crystal M. Maldonado, Heather Menezes, Colleen D. O’Connell, Laura Tetrault, Francis G. Murphy and Jared P. O’Connor.

McLane Middleton recently welcomed attorneys Katherine B. Fiallo and Jack D. Hepburn to the firm. Fiallo is a member of the cybersecurity and privacy practice group in the Manchester office, and Hepburn is an associate in the firm’s corporate department, also in the Manchester office.

Sulloway & Hollis had 22 attorneys named to the Best Lawyers of America list, 11 of whom practice in New Hampshire: Christopher J. Pyles, Beth G. Catenza, Melissa M. Hanlon, Peter A. Meyer, William D. Pandolph, Bradley Holt, Kevin M. O’Shea, Elise H. Salek, Rose Marie Joly, David W. Johnston and Sarah S. Murdough. Attorneys Hanlon, Pyles and Salek were also honored as Lawyers of the Year.

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Ami D’Amelio, CEO/founder of Just Flow Events & Marketing, has joined the spring cohort for the 2023 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, which helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses and create jobs in their communities.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

The McGee Mazda Claremont dealership is moving to a temporary location at 798 Main Street and will be there for about a year. The old dealership will permanently close on Saturday, Sept. 9. The dealership will move into its new building in the summer of 2024.

YMCA of Greater Nashua adds new dir. of education

The YMCA of Greater Nashua recently welcomed Carlisa Choate to the organization as executive director of education, responsible for providing strategic direction for all of the YMCA’s education-focused programming. Previously, Carlisa was director of Kings Kids Child Care Center in Pelham, NH, which she operated for nearly 20 years.

At the nonprofit, Carlisa will work to build, support and coach the Y’s team of more than 150 youth development leaders working in the Early Education Center, four after-school sites, two before-school programs, a half-day early education program (Creation Station), Power Scholars Academy and Superhero Academy.

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