FINANCIAL SERVICES

Debbie Stoodley has joined the Business Development Team at Merrimack County Savings Bank as business development officer for Southern New Hampshire. Stoodley previously served as branch and business development manager at The Merrimack’s Nashua branch. Stoodley started at The Merrimack in 2016 and has nearly 30 years of experience in the banking industry. She has also hosted financial literacy and scam awareness seminars in the community.

The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has announced two new hires: Anna Berry, communications director, and Tom Bunnell, legal counsel. Berry is the former director of communications and digital outreach for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Bunnell is the former general counsel for Community Bridges, Inc.

Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) recently welcomed Lori Cote as vice president, commercial loan officer based in the Bank’s North Conway branch. With over a decade in commercial banking, Cote is a graduate of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Fundamental Lender Diploma Program, which focuses on small business administration lending.

Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) was among 180 credit unions nationwide named as winners of America’s Credit Unions’ 2025 Diamond Award — the Marketing, PR & Development Council’s annual competition for marketing excellence. HRCU was recognized in three categories: logo, multifaceted (for HRCU’s Greenland branch) and re-brand/new corporate identity. The credit union was also named “Category’s Best” in the re-brand/new corporate identity category.

St. Mary’s Bank welcomed Mary White as the new business development and retail sales manager for its Concord branch. She joins the Bank from M&T/Peoples United Bank, where she built a reputation for fostering strong relationships and providing trusted financial guidance.

Vreni Gust has been promoted to vice president, chief marketing officer at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Before her nine years at the Bank, she began her career as a marketing brand specialist in 2016 for Lake Sunapee Bank, which was later acquired by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. She was later promoted to assistant vice president, marketing coordinator in 2017 and then to vice president, product and segment marketing manager in 2018. Previously, she served as event coordinator for Enfield Shaker Museum and events and administrative coordinator for the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, which now operates as part of the Upper Valley Business Alliance.

Merrimack County Savings Bank has expanded its construction loan program to include accessory dwelling units (ADU), which is a small residence located within, attached to or detached from an existing primary residence. With a limited supply of affordable housing options in New Hampshire, ADUs meet the need for available housing and prevent further land development. To learn more about the various home and construction loans that The Merrimack offers, visit themerrimack.com/home-constructionlending/.

Machias Savings Bank has announced plans for its first-ever New Hampshire branch at 900 Elm Street in Manchester. The new office will focus on business banking services, including commercial lending and treasury services, and is expected to employ six or more full-time team members. Ben Wheeler, regional senior vice president, leads the New Hampshire team with over 30 years of commercial banking expertise. Joining the team is Emily Ricard, VP, treasury services officer, a financial professional specialized in capital analysis, treasury solutions and strategic client management.

Granite State Credit Union (GSCU) has appointed Michele Plaza as the next president and CEO. Plaza will succeed longtime president and CEO Denise Barstow, who will be retiring after 42 years of service. Plaza will assume the leadership of the credit union on January 1, 2026. She has worked for GSCU for nearly 40 years including serving as the executive vice president, chief lending officer, and chief information officer for 10 years

LAW

McLane Middleton has relocated its New Hampshire Seacoast office to 1 New Hampshire Avenue in Portsmouth to accommodate continued growth in response to expanding client needs. The firm will continue to provide legal services with its expanded workforce in the newly positioned office space.

Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (DRM) has been ranked as a Best Place to Work, and ranked No. 2 in the medium-size business category (100-249 employees), by VTBiz. The firm has several innovative programs to attract and retain employees, including leading parental leave policies, professional development opportunities, profit sharing and a comprehensive wellness program.

UTILITIES

Eversource has again been recognized by VETS Indexes as one of the nation’s top veteran employers for 2025. Honored with the 3 Star Employer Award, the distinction highlights the energy company’s achievements in recruiting, hiring, developing and supporting both veterans and the military-connected community. Eversource is one of nearly 300 organizations that was recognized this year by VETS Indexes for their strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses.

NONPROFITS

Citizens announced $107,500 in financial education grants and ongoing volunteer support for five local nonprofits that are helping students, individuals and small business owners build confidence to own their financial futures. Local nonprofits receiving the Bank’s support is Granite United Way, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, The Granite YMCA, Champlain Housing Trust and United Way of Greater Nashua Inc. Citizens’ New Hampshire and Vermont funding is part of the Bank’s broader commitment to provide $2.6 million to 134 nonprofits to expand financial empowerment programming in the communities it serves.

REAL ESTATE

Foxfire Property Management has welcomed Jacob Noble as its new senior commercial property manager. Previously, Noble was with Anchor Health Properties, where he managed a 1.3 million-square-foot portfolio of medical outpatient buildings. Over his career, he has held key positions at Transwestern/CBRE, Colliers International, and Shorenstein Realty Services.

Commercial Realty Associates announced the sale of 161 River Road in Bow, featuring a 31,000-square-foot building on an investment property to the seller, 164C Dunklee, LLC, which was represented by Sperry Commercial Realty Associates.

The Boulos Company announced the sale of a 3,166-square-foot commercial property located at 54 Commerce Way in Barrington. The transaction was brokered by Kent White, partner and principal broker, and Caitlin Burke, partner at The Boulos Company, representing the seller in the deal and closing at $385,000. Tami Mallett of Cameron Prestige represented the buyers, Tyler and Michael Mallett, who plan to utilize the facility for light industrial operations. The adjacent property located at 50 Commerce Way, Barrington, is available for sale.

EDUCATION

Merrimack High School Chemistry teacher Dr. Sara Campbell been awarded a full scholarship to attend the annual MIT Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (SEPT) this summer, when she will join an international cohort of teachers for a week-long immersion into MIT education. The MIT Club of New Hampshire selected Sara from among many highly qualified applicants based on her commitment to the innovative integration of technology into her courses in chemistry and physical science.

HOSPITALITY

O’Neil Cinemas, a family-owned theater chain with a 40-year legacy in NH, is returning to Londonderry, set to open in July. The newly renovated cinema will feature 28,492 square feet of nine theaters, two Grand DLX auditoriums featuring Dolby Atmos sound, D-Box motion seats, the Back Stage Lounge with dining and beverage options, and more. Architectural design was directed by JKRP Architects and construction was completed by LTCI LTD. The cinema is expected to create 50 new jobs.

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

The New Hampshire Lottery (NHL) has unveiled a modernized, redesigned website offering data automation and a streamlined user experience with increased access to e-Instant games with top prizes, progressive jackpots and multi-state progressive jackpots, as well as the ability to purchase draw game tickets online through improved navigation and all-new game search and filtering capabilities. New Hampshire Lottery players can visit the website at www.nhlottery.com, designed in collaboration with NHL partners, Gambyt and Aristocrat Interactive.

NH Life Sciences (NHLS) announced that 10 new members have joined the association, strengthening efforts to advance the life sciences industry and make New Hampshire a preeminent destination for patient-centered medical innovation. New members include Celdara Medical, Mascoma LLC, 3X Genetics, Upstart Sciences and Sunrise Labs. NHLS also welcomed several new associate members that provide specific skills and expertise that support life science innovation across the state. These companies include Park Street Strategies, Sullivan Construction, Safety Partners and Elliott Controls. Plymouth State University also joins NH Life Sciences, further boosting the relationship between industry and academia to further workforce development and career pathways for students interested in the life sciences.

Paul Brean, AAE, executive director of the Pease Development Authority in Portsmouth, has earned the Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) designation from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). Fewer than 6% of AAAE’s members have achieved this designation. To earn the A.A.E. credential, candidates must complete a three-phase process that tests their knowledge in airport management, business administration and transportation economics.

HEALTH CARE

The Rockingham County Advanced Life Support (ALS) Program has officially launched in collaboration with the NH Association of Fire Chiefs, the Plaistow Fire Rescue EMS and the Brentwood Fire Department. The program will serve 18 communities, bringing lifesaving services to over 100,000 people. The Plaistow Fire Rescue EMS is spearheading the service from their station, with the Brentwood Fire Department offering additional paramedic support around the clock. The combined $2 million in funding was made possible from Exeter Hospital, Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, the attorney general’s office and the Department of Justice’s Charitable Trust Unit in order to provide state-of-the-art medical equipment and vehicles to deliver advanced lifesaving care.

Granite VNA has welcomed five employees to its 2025 Leadership Development Program, a three-year program designed to foster a high standard of leadership and stewardship within the agency. The 2025 Granite VNA Leadership Development Program cohort includes: home care manager Letitia Borelli, PT, DPT; intake assistant team leader Aletea Bresaw; scheduling team leader Lisa Dumond; health information coordinator of medical records Sarah Parris; and nurse educator Angela Rollins, RN.

As chair of the Concord Hospital Trust board and a supporter of Concord Hospital Health Systems, Steve McManis has pledged a $25,000 matching gift challenge to inspire community giving in support of the Concord Hospital Cardiovascular Institute (CVI).

Every dollar donated up to $25,000 will be matched, doubling the impact of each contribution, to be used towards renovating the existing catheterization lab and developing a new, state-of-the-art lab at Concord Hospital CVI. Cardiologist Matthew Gibb, MD, has pledged up to $100,000 in matching donations to establish the Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) Education Fund, in support of education, career development and the strategic goals of the CVI program at Concord Hospital Health System.

TECHNOLOGY

Laconia-based ePropelled, a global leader in advanced propulsion and energy management technologies, is rolling out the Sparrow Series, an ultra-light, uncrewed motor drone system featuring long flight times combined with high power, efficiency and stability. This series includes high-performance models with different voltage ranges designed for the hobby and professional markets to commercial and defense segments. In addition, ePropelled’s founder, chairman and CEO Nick Grewal was named a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee during The Boston Smart Business Dealmakers of the Year Awards, which recognizes dealmakers that have made an often-groundbreaking impact on their organizations, industries and the region. Grewal is a technology entrepreneur and investor in over 40 high-tech companies. He was one of five CEOs recognized this year for shaping the landscape of business and innovation in March 2025 at the Middle-Market M&A Conference in Boston, Mass.

AGRICULTURE

Joppa Hill Educational Farm in Bedford has been awarded a Climate Resilience Grant from the NH Conservation District’s Climate Resilience Program. This grant will help to improve the farm’s pasture management and animal care by implementing rotational grazing practices, a key step toward the long-term health of the land and animals.

Lt. Gen. Garrant chosen as keynote for security conference

The NH Tech Alliance has announced that the keynote speaker at the Northeast National Security Conference (NENSC) will be Lt. General Philip A. Garrant from Space Systems Command — the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from and to space. The Northeast National Security Conference will take place on June 10 at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, where industry leaders, defense contractors, entrepreneurs, academia and government agencies from across New England will gather to explore and discuss pressing topics in defense technology.

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