NONPROFITS

The Children’s Museum of NH has been awarded $200,000 in tax credits from the NH Community Development Finance Authority to help fund a Luckey Climber, which is a large-scale climbing structure that combines art, architecture and play.

After nearly 30 years of operating its Holiday Program in collaboration with The Telegraph’s Santa Fund, the Front Door Agency has introduced Project Joy — a rebranded initiative designed to expand support for local children during the holiday season. Funds raised through Project Joy will go directly toward food, clothing and personalized holiday gifts for children in families facing financial hardship.

Michelle Hallstrom, senior accountant at Nathan Wechsler & Company, has been appointed to the board of directors for the Capitol Center for the Arts. In her new board role, she will help guide the strategic direction and financial oversight of the Center, supporting its mission to inspire, educate and connect through the performing arts.

RiverWoods, a lifecare retirement community group, has launched the RiverWoods NaviGuide, which provides clients with a dedicated service coordinator and trusted advisor who helps individuals plan, connect, and coordinate care and services based on their needs. Leading the service is Amanda Kelley, a social worker and community case manager with a background in health care, mental health and senior support services.

Attorney Terri Pastori, co-managing member of Pastori Krans, PLLC, has joined the board of trustees at Waypoint, which provides essential services and resources to protect children, preserve families and strengthen communities in New Hampshire.

Members of NH Electric Cooperative voted to return four incumbents and added one new member to the co-op’s board of directors. Serving three-year terms are John Goodrich, Peter Laufenberg, Thomas Mongeon, Alana Albee and Jonathan Nelson. Serving a one-year term are Robert MacLeod and Thomas Randell. Board officers are: chair, William Darcy; vice chair, Alana Albee; treasurer, Jerry Stringham; assistant treasurer, Thomas Mongeon; and secretary Jeffrey Morrill.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) has been named the No. 1 bank for number of single-family home purchase loans in New Hampshire’s 2024 Top Lenders report published by the Registry Review. MVSB also ranked in the report as a leader in the following areas: No. 2 bank for volume of single-family home purchase loans, No. 2 bank for number of condo purchase loans, and No. 3 bank for volume and number of refinance residential loans.

Lighthouse Credit Union has been recognized on the Forbes list of “America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions 2025” as the No. 1 credit union in New Hampshire. The award is presented in collaboration with Statista, based on an independent survey of over 26,000 customers in the U.S. focusing on several criteria, including trust, financial advice, customer services, digital services, branch services, and terms and conditions.

Service Ventures, an independent investment arm of Service Credit Union, has launched to allow the credit union to seek partnerships with startups that share a commitment to enhancing service, accessibility and operational excellence across the credit union landscape. Service Ventures is led by general partner Brian Regan. Before joining Service Ventures in 2024, Brian co-founded Strake, a cloud optimization company, and worked for VMWare’s Security Business Unit, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and business planning initiatives.

Merrimack County Savings Bank is supporting summer camp programs at the White Birch Center in Henniker with a $10,000 contribution. The funds will help secure transportation for field trips, allowing the Center to expand the capacity of group outings and ensure all school-age children can participate in visits to state parks, Fisher Cats games, the Boston Children’s Museum, Polar Caves, among other destinations.

Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) has appointed Jim Dirubbo, a retired CPA with Malone, Dirubbo & Company, and Michelle McEwen, CEO and president of Speare Memorial Hospital, as chair and vice chair of the Bank’s board of directors, respectively. Dirubbo, who previously served as vice chair, succeeds Michael O’Leary who will remain a director for the Bank.

Merrimack County Savings Bank recently named Becky Tetrault as branch and business development manager of its Concord Branch located at One Integra Drive. She started her career as a branch manager and went on to serve as VP, business development officer; VP, regional manager; VP, commercial loan officer and VP, commercial banker.

Eastern Bank Foundation (EBF) announced the retirement of Nancy Huntington Stager from her role as president and CEO effective July 7, after a career of 43 years, with the past 30 at Eastern Bank. As part of its succession planning, Turahn Dorsey, who currently serves as EBF’s chief impact officer, will be promoted to president and CEO. Stager will then transition to a senior advisory role.

TECHNOLOGY

The NH Tech Alliance (NHTA) has added four new members to its board of directors for the 2025 term: Paige Yeater, COO and chief information security officer at Mainstay Technologies; Moira Hudak-Hall, founder of the People and Culture Collaborative; Tom Fournier, founder of OrgNxt LLC; and Phil Magnuszewski, founder of D!srupt AI and chief innovation officer at Infused Innovations. Other board updates include: Emily Penaskovic, corporate attorney at Sheehan Phinney, will step into the role of board chair; Heather Lavoie will transition into the role of past chair and will chair the Nominations Committee.

The NH Tech Alliance recently announced the third cohort for the Ascending Leaders in Tech Program, an interactive, hands-on program designed for technical professionals to grow their leadership skills, presented by Big Network. Participants are: Lauren Couey, Exodigo; Travis McQueen, Mimory; Dana K. Brunt, a product and solutions director; Redal Ram and Robbie Lozowski-Aliberti, Mikros Technologies; Jeff Ortakales, Hypertherm; Kate Ness, Motorola Solutions; Kevin O’Shea, Northcross Group; Rustam Magomedov, Intellias; Jacob Pelletier, Mainstay Technologies; Eric Anderson, Symbol Security; James Scott, GlampMobile.app, Live Free Digital; Jason Nickola, Pulsar Security; and Ben Eliason, Predictive Monitor.

HOSPITALITY

The Hoyt family — owners of Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, Purity Spring Resort, Traditions Restaurant, Camp Tohkomeupog and King Pine Ski Area — has promoted Amanda Buswell to regional general manager. She was named general manager of Danforth Bay in 2024, and has over 23 years of experience with the Hoyt family businesses, starting as a summer housekeeper and working her way through nearly every department. At Danforth Bay, Buswell is overseeing upgrades to resort amenities, including a new business center, enhanced recreational programming, food service development and a $1 million pool facility. In her new regional role, she will continue to lead operations at Danforth Bay while also supporting teams at King Pine and Purity Spring Resort in long-term planning, budgeting and capital investment initiatives.

AGRICULTURE

Dairy processors in New England can now apply for the $1 million Processor Modernization Grant. Offered through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, this funding will allow dairy processors to purchase specialized equipment to expand capacity, boost efficiency, lower energy consumption, improve existing products and create new, high-value dairy products for the region.

Awards will range from $15,000 to $250,000 with a 25% match commitment required. Applications are being accepted now through Aug. 14. Learn more at nedairyinnovation.com/grants/dairy-processor-modernizationgrant.

CONSTRUCTION

Somersworth-based Cloutier Construction LLC has launched its new internship program designed to provide hands-on experience, mentorship and career-building opportunities to students and young adults entering the workforce. Program participants will work alongside seasoned professionals on real job sites, gaining skills in carpentry, project planning and sustainable building practices, while also receiving leadership development and career guidance. The program is open to high school seniors, trade school students and college students interested in construction-related fields, including engineering, architecture and skilled trades. Applications for the 2025 summer season are still being accepted.

LAW

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., recently welcomed attorney Eric Gardner to the firm’s family law group, based out of the firm’s Concord office. Gardner is a recent graduate of the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he was accepted into the prestigious Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program. While enrolled, Gardner completed training on trauma-informed lawyering for domestic violence advocacy, and he frequently served as a volunteer judge for the American Mock Trial Association.

REAL ESTATE

The residents of Cotton Farm Village Cooperative in Danville celebrated the purchase of their manufactured-home park on June 14. After two attempts to purchase Cotton Farm Village over the last three decades, the residents are now New Hampshire’s 152nd resident-owned community (ROC). The co-op received financing from the NH Community Loan Fund, which also provided coaching from its ROC-NH program.

AUTOMOTIVE

Paul Garbis has been named the new VP of field operations for Merchants Fleet. He brings over 20 years of experience from his tenure at Hertz, where he served in senior roles such as vice president of operations for the Central Region and Canada, zone general manager, territory manager and area manager.

EDUCATION

The University of New Hampshire’s College of Health and Human Services has named Vidya Sundar, Ph.D., chair of the department of occupational therapy. With more than 18 years’ experience in disability and employment research, Sundar currently leads a $2.5 million federal grant on career development for individuals with disabilities and Long COVID. She teaches courses on inclusive workplace practices and research methods. In addition, the college also welcomed Kimberly Nesbitt, Ph.D., as chair of the department of human development and family studies. A UNH faculty member since 2015, Nesbitt studies early childhood cognitive development and instructional practices that support children from diverse backgrounds. She has led federally funded research and collaborates with schools and agencies to improve early education.

MANUFACTURING

Can-One USA, a high-efficiency aluminum can manufacturer in Nashua, has received its ISO 9001:2015 certification, a globally recognized standard for quality management systems, thanks to the company’s dedication to consistent quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction across every stage of its manufacturing process.

HEALTH CARE

Home Health & Hospice Care (HHHC) has appointed CEO Barbara LaFrance as an at-large member of the Executive Committee for the Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance of New Hampshire for a one-year term. In her new role, she will help guide the Alliance’s strategic direction and support its mission to strengthen home-based care services across the state.

For the second year, Concord Hospital has been recognized as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025 by Newsweek. Earlier this year, Concord Hospital secured over $353,000 in grants and donations to enhance maternity, prenatal and postnatal OB/GYN patient care throughout Concord Hospital Health System. Newsweek’s annual ranking, made in partnership with Statista, evaluated eligible hospitals using hospital quality metrics, patient experience surveys and a nationwide survey for health care professionals with knowledge of the maternity process.

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

Stuart Trachy, a Merrimack County Commissioner and former Mayor of Franklin, will begin a three-year term on the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. Trachy was confirmed on June 4 by the NH Executive Council. In addition, Erle Pierce has been named the new chairman for the NH Lottery Commission. He takes over for former chairman Debra Douglas, who is retiring after more than 16 years on the Commission, including 15 years as chairman. Pierce worked for Verizon Communications for more than three decades, including as public affairs director and VP of government and public affairs. Pierce also previously served as Governor-appointed commissioner to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and as a two-term chairman of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce.

Greater Concord Chamber names new president

The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce has promoted Bryanna (Bree) Marceau to the role of president and CEO, effective October 1, 2025. Marceau, who currently serves as vice president of operations and programs, will succeed current president and CEO Tim Sink, who is stepping down at the end of September after a tenure of over 30 years. Marceau has served as the lead staff liaison for Leadership Greater Concord, Capital Area Student Leadership (CASL) Program, and the Concord Young Professionals Network, expanding their reach and impact. She is a 2023 graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management and currently serves on the U.S. Chamber Board of Regents, contributing to the advancement of chamber professionals nationwide.

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