Leadership NH Announces the Class of 2015

Leadership New Hampshire (LNH), a statewide program whose mission is “building a community of informed and engaged leaders,” announces its Class of 2015.  The new group of 39 includes men and women from across NH who will participate in an intensive 10-month program.  These individuals were selected through a highly competitive process and will begin their unique educational journey this fall with an opening retreat.

LNH, which has nearly a 25-year history in the Granite State, has more than 750 alumni, individuals who are working to strengthen the state's communities and increasing civic engagement. Graduates hold leadership positions in the private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors across the Granite State.

The new class members are listed alphabetically by hometown:

Bedford
Preston Hunter, Vice President, Eckman Construction
Robin Milnes, Executive Vice President, INEX
Lyndsee Paskalis, Esq., Attorney, Stebbins, Lazos & Van Der Beken
Douglas Verge, Esq., Shareholder and Director, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green PA

Boscawen
Edward  Cherian, Development Director, Iberdrola Renewables, LLC

Bow
Donald Shepard, Council Executive, Daniel Webster Council – Boy Scouts of America

Concord
Cheryl Coletti                     
Jim Hinson, Supervisor V, Dept. of Education – NH Vocational Rehabilitation
Sarah Sadowski, Community Engagement Director, New Futures
Tom O'Brien, President, NH Lakes Association
Michele Roberge, Administrator of Permitting & Environmental Health, Dept. of Environmental Services
Terry Steiner, Program Manager, Eliot Health Systems

Contoocook
Michelle Arruda, Esq., Shareholder, Devine Millimet & Branch

Derry
Erika Cohen, Associate Editor, Business NH Magazine

Dover
Bryn Burns, Manager of Corporate Support & Community Relations , NH Public Television
Christopher Parker, Director of Planning & Community Development, City of Dover

Etna
Wendy Fielding, Vice President - Financial Planning, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Exeter
Amy McLaughlin , Controller, Fluid Equipment Solutions of New England

Gilmanton
Christopher Gamache, Chief - Bureau of Trails, Dept. of Resources and Economic Development

Gorham
Andrea Gagne, Division Director, Tri-County CAP

Hillsborough
Melinda Gehris, Esq., Principal, Hess Gehris Solutions

Hooksett
Joseph Purington, VP of Operations, PSNH

Loudon
George  Hunton, Senior Portfolio Manager, NH Community Development Finance Authority

Manchester
Tara Chynoweth , Environmental, Health & Safety Engineer , Hologic, Inc.
Scott Harris, Esq., Director, McLane Law Firm
Sarah Hartwick, Founder & Marketing Director, SURFSET Fitness
Gina Powers, Senior Government Relations Advisor, Rath, Young and Pignatelli
Kurt Strandson, Mortgage Banker, Residential Mortgage Services
Christopher Wellington, Business Development Specialist, Dept. of Resources & Economic Development
Susan Woods, Principal, Chartworth, LLC

Merrimack
Ruth Marie Swisher, Human Resources Manager, BAE Systems

Nashua
Brian Roy, Director - IT Business Consulting, RSA Corp

Pembroke
Wendy Chase, Vice President - Partner Solutions, Lincoln Financial Group
Sarah Kelsea, Associate State Director, AARP New Hampshire

Portsmouth
Elena Whittaker, Director of Communications, UNH - Peter T. Paul College

Rochester
Daniel Fitzpatrick, City Manager, City of Rochester

Sunapee
Scott Laughinghouse, First SVP - Executive Director of Financial Services, Lake Sunapee Bank

Surry
Wayne   Hartz, Interim Dean - Professional & Graduate Schools, Keene State College

West Swanzey
Laurie Tyler, Director Housing Stabilization, Southwestern Community Services

Each year’s class of Associates attends 11 required and 2 optional seminar days held around the state.  These provide an in-depth exploration of a topic of timely importance to New Hampshire, including demographic changes, the economy, families, criminal justice, education, culture and arts, community leadership, government and politics, and health care.    

Leadership New Hampshire is one of 14 initiatives proposed in the Governor’s Commission on New Hampshire in the 21st Century to identify emerging leaders for key roles in statewide issues and developing a network of informed leaders. For more information, please visit the organization’s Website at www.leadershipnh.org, or contact the office at (603) 226-2265.