MARKETING
Marketing firm Winni Media is celebrating its 200th brand partnership, achieved using its model of matching brands across multiple direct-to-consumer industries. By creating win-win lead generation marketing campaigns, Winni Media has cultivated curated demographics for its partners to reach new audiences.
Taylor Livingston has been promoted to account manager at Montagne Powers, a full-service PR and communications firm. Previously, Livingston was a public relations specialist at Acronis, where she secured national media coverage and managed international events and projects for the global cyber protection company.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Meredith Village Savings Bank has welcomed Samantha LeClair to the bank as the business development officer based in the Laconia office. Leclair has 15 years of banking experience in roles such as in customer service and mortgage lending, and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Coastal Carolina University.
Bangor Savings Bank recently named Emily Monteforte as community relations coordinator, supporting regional initiatives, community partnerships and philanthropic giving. She holds a bachelor’s in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, and is based at the bank’s Portsmouth branch.
Eastern Bank has been recognized by Disability: IN as a top-scoring business in the Disability Equality Index and as a 2024 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion. The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of Disability: IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities, and is acknowledged as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business.
Jasmine Long has joined St. Mary’s Bank as the business development officer. Previously, she served as a branch relationship manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, as well as in various positions at TD Bank.
NONPROFITS
The New England Ski Museum received a cultural facilities grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, which will be used to cover some expenses needed for the 2024 Technology Project, including broadband enhancements, website redesign and digital exhibit upgrades for permanent exhibits.
The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative board of directors has appointed new members: Peter Laufenberg of Thornton and John Goodrich of Littleton. Current, standing board officers are William Darcy, chair; Alana Albee, vice chair; Jeffrey Morrill, secretary; Jerry Stringham, treasurer; and Thomas Mongeon, assistant treasurer.
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s board of directors has selected Melissa Edwards, of Seattle Washington, as its new executive director. With over 15 years of experience in educational program management, she has served as campus director at Boston’s Citizen Schools and taught in Hyde Park and Brookline, Mass., as well as in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
Additionally, Edwards spent 13 years in leadership positions at the Museum of Flight, including director of aerospace education, director of digital learning and director of the museum’s Aerospace Scholars program.
Belletetes, a family-owned and operated lumber and building supply company, will once again host a month-long food drive at all 10 of its locations starting August 1 in support of the NH Food Bank. Last year, Belletetes collected 43,484 pounds of food to support the thousands of New Hampshire residents who are food insecure. Belletetes will also supplement food donations with a monetary contribution to the New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire. Belletetes will place donation bins at the front of each store for patrons and community members to drop off donated goods.
TD Bank Regional Vice President Joseph Bator has joined as chair for Granite United Way’s board of directors. He replaces Dr. Charles Lloyd, who will be serving as immediate past chair. In addition, three new board members have joined the board: James Harris, Sheehan Phinney; Dr. Pamela Holey, Dartmouth Hitchcock; and Stacia Maloney, Pike Industries. Volunteer NH is now accepting nominations for its Spirit of NH Awards. The awards showcase the dedicated service of volunteers, as well as the critical infrastructure that sets individuals up to make a positive community impact. Submissions are due by August 26, with the in-person celebration slated for October. Learn more at bit.ly/3WhAckX.
TD Bank Group is now accepting applications for the annual TD Ready Challenge grant program, where eligible charitable and nonprofit organizations can submit proposals for innovative solutions that support underserved small business owners in developing, launching or growing their businesses. A total of 10 grants are available of $1 million. TD will be accepting grant applications until 4 p.m. on Sept. 5. Visit td.com/readychallenge for more details.
Catholic Charities NH has been awarded a $146,540 grant from the NH Department of Justice to support the organization’s specialized legal services for immigrant victims including legal assistance, crisis reduction and safety planning for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault and other crimes. In the past year, Catholic Charities NH assisted more than 220 victims of crime.
HEALTH CARE
St. Vincent de Paul Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Berlin has recently named Don Bazzell as its new administrator, overseeing daily operations, quality care management and staff oversight for the 74-bed facility. Bazzell has held leadership roles at Genesis Healthcare, including at the Lafayette Center in Franconia and the River Ridge Center in Kennebunk, Maine, and Glencliff Home in Glencliff, NH. Most recently, Bazzell was the director of behavioral health for Northern Human Services in Berlin.
Dr. Alyssa Hennessey has opened Pearls Family Dentistry at 24 Main Street, Unit #3 in Union, thanks to a specialized, medical professional practice loan from Meredith Village Savings Bank to finance the space and purchase new equipment. Dr. Hennessy received a degree in medical biology from the University of New England and later graduated from the New England College of Dental Medicine. Prior to opening Pearls Family Dentistry, Dr. Hennessy worked for a Maine-based dental office as an associate dentist.
Granite VNA has named Suzanne Rapoza, RN, MSM-HA, as its hospice house manager, mentoring new members of the nursing team and support hospice nurses in the Concord facility. She has held previous positions such as the executive director at Spring Village at Dover and vice president of health resources, director of health services and nurse manager at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth. In addition, Granite VNA has hired public health specialist Kelli Anaya as one of its community health educators.
Her previous roles included a medical surge planner with Maxim Healthcare in Concord with the NH Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau for Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery; social media ambassador and board member for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention; a medical assistant at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center; among many others.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has received a 2024 “Get With The Guidelines” quality achievement award from the American Heart Association, for excellence in treating stroke and for recognition of the hospital’s commitment to ensuring patient care is aligned with the latest research and evidence-based guidelines. The honor was given with “Gold Plus” distinction — the highest level of the award given by the organization.
LAW
Brennan Lenehan Iacopino & Hickey attorney Michael J. Iacopino received the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) on July 27. The Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award is given annually to the criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the Association and the legal profession. As a senior partner in his firm, Iacopino represents clients in every court in New Hampshire and before administrative agencies, including investigations, trials and appeals.
The law firm of McLane Middleton has been chosen as a winner in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Empowering Women awards, which showcases law firms that advance women attorneys in their workplace and community. Since 2019, McLane Middleton has hired more than 30 attorneys — over 50% of the firm’s overall hiring. The total number of female directors at the firm has increased by 150% over the last five years.
Thomas F. Torr, Esq. founding partner of Cocheco Elder Law Associates, PLLC, was honored with the “Gentleman and a Scholar” award, which is presented to an attorney whose experience and heart for others have led to a compassionate application of elder law.
Shaheen & Gordon has moved its Manchester office to 1155 Elm Street, combining its prior Manchester space at 180 Bridge Street and the office of Borofsky, Amodeo-Vickery, & Bandazian located at 708 Pine Street, whose attorneys and staff joined Shaheen & Gordon in January of this year. Shaheen & Gordon will have nine attorneys based out of the new office: Ron Abramson, immigration; Crystal Maldonado, family law; Christopher Bandazian, workers’ compensation and personal injury; Stephen Borofsky, personal injury; Andrea Amodeo-Vickey, personal injury and criminal defense; Heather Menezes, personal injury; Laura Tetrault, estate planning; Jocelyn Frawley, estate planning; and Tayla George, immigration.
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., has welcomed attorney Austin M. Mikolaities to the firm’s business law and real estate groups based in the Dover office. His practice will focus on complex corporate transactions, including purchase and sales, mergers and acquisitions, 1031 exchanges, membership interest transfers and stock/asset sales.
RETAIL
New Hampshire’s first Earthbound Trading Company has opened at The Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, offering gift and fashion items that feature a bohemian feel including home décor pieces, mediation essentials, textiles, stones, jewelry, accessories, clothing and more. The store is located on the second floor between Famous Footwear and The Children’s Place.
GOVERNMENT
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) has been nominated as a “New Englander of the Year” by the New England Council for her collaboration with the organization over her six terms in Congress to bring New England voices and values to Washington.
HOSPITALITY
The Friendly Toast recently promoted two employees: Staci Pinard, who has served in various roles over 10 years, was promoted from vice president of restaurant operations to CEO; and culinary specialist Justin Fischer was promoted from director of culinary operations to vice president of culinary operations.
Chef Emshika Alberini of Chang Thai Café in Littleton will be one of the featured guest chefs at this year’s A Taste of New England taking place August 22 through 25 at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vt. The four-day event features standalone chef-curated dinners, a chef collaboration dinner with wine pairings, live music, and a food and beverage showcase. Other featured artisans include Andrew Tow, owner of The Withers Winery; Chef Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin in Rhode Island; Chef John DaSilva of Chickadee, Mass.; Chef Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan in Maine; and Chef Maura Kilpatrick of Sofra Bakery in Massachusetts.
CONSTRUCTION
Anchored Tiny Homes has plans to open a franchise location in Thornton, NH, to help local communities solve housing issues by providing versatile living spaces and accessory dwelling units at low costs on people’s current properties, from in-law apartments, rental studios to offices. Visit anchoredtinyhomes.com to learn more.
EDUCATION
The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) has been awarded $474,623 from the U.S. Department of Labor through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding grants to further enhance the reach of its Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP). ApprenticeshipNH, a CCSNH workforce program, will use the funding to increase financial support and coaching to apprentices who may have difficulty completing an apprenticeship otherwise.
NEW HAMPSHIRE 200
Editor’s note: NH Business Review is spotlighting selected 2024 New Hampshire 200 honorees from various industries. See the entire list and book at nhbr.com
Heather Krans Partner, Co-founder of Pastori | Krans, PLLC
Education: University of Vermont (BA), Emory University School of Law (JD)
Career history: Heather is a nationally recognized family law attorney with 25 years of experience. She often represents clients in high-asset and complex divorce cases, including those cases involving the valuation and division of business interests and other complex assets. In 2017, Heather and her law partner, Terri Pastori, started Pastori | Krans, a litigation firm in Concord. In just 6 years, the firm has more than doubled in size, and continues to expand.
Most important business lesson: It is impossible to be an expert in all things law practice related; hiring a consultant can save countless hours of research, ensure that you avoid costly mistakes, and engender confidence in the business decisions that you make.
Biggest challenge: Learning to manage a law firm while simultaneously maintaining an active litigation practice. In other words, wearing both a “law hat” and a “business hat.”
Hobbies/passions: I minored in studio art in college, and in recent years have gotten back into art by starting my own art collection.
Checked-off bucket list item: I recently went to the famous art fair Art Basel Miami Beach, which had been on my bucket list for at least a decade!
Industry advice: Find mentors who truly care about your success. Anyone you connect with and admire can be a mentor.
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