Leadership New Hampshire Class of 2015 Ready to Start

Leadership New Hampshire (LNH), a premier program whose mission is “building a community of informed and engaged leaders,” announced its Class of 2015.  

The new cohort of 39 associates includes men and women from across New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire communities and increase civic engagement. Graduates hold leadership positions in the private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors across the Granite State. 

The associates 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 leadershipnh.org, or contact the office at 603-226-2265.

Submitted by Leadership New Hampshire.