Richard Gustafson Named 2011 Business Leader of the Year

Dr. Richard Gustafson, chancellor of the Community College System of NH, has been named the 2011 Business Leader of the Year by Business NH Magazine. Gustafson is being honored for his life-long commitment to elevating higher education in the state and his years of community support through his work with nonprofits and businesses throughout New Hampshire.

The 2011 Business NH Magazine Business of the Year awards went to the following companies for their outstanding civic contributions and exceptional performance within their industries:

• Business Assistance Organization NH Center for Nonprofits in Concord
• Business Services - PixelMEDIA Inc. in Portsmouth
• Construction/Engineering/Real Estate Nobis Engineering Inc. in Concord
• Education/Nonprofit -  The Family Resource Center at Gorham in Gorham
• Financial Services/Insurance - Laconia Savings Bank in Laconia
• Health Care - Next Step Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. in Manchester
• Hospitality/Tourism The Duprey Companies in Concord
• Manufacturing/Technology - Hypertherm in Hanover
• Retail/Wholesale Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Corp. in Londonderry

A screening committee made up of members of the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (NHACCE) had the difficult task of paring the remarkable field of applicants to three semifinalists in each category. From there, a Panel of Excellence with executives from the 2010 Business of the Decade winning companies selected this year's recipients after careful consideration and great debate.

Awards will be presented at a special luncheon on Thursday, May 19, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at the Center of NH in Manchester. Tickets for the luncheon are $55 per person or $440 for a table of eight. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the NHACCE scholarship fund. To register, please visit www.eventsNH.com or call Kristin Kullman at 603.626.6354 x213.