2015 BOB Awards winners

NH Business Review Staff,
Scroll down to see photos from the event!

We at New Hampshire Business Review are delighted to welcome you to the results of our eighth annual BOB Awards, which honor the Best of Business in New Hampshire for 2015. The mission of the BOB Awards is to find the Granite State’s most stand-out businesses: the ones that offer the best customer service, that pay attention to details, that are willing to go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional customer experience. In other words, BOB-winning businesses offer nothing less than outstanding products and services. Since BOB voters are other businesspeople, being named a BOB business really says something about the high caliber of the winners. But the BOB Awards truly celebrate all businesses in New Hampshire; a place that nurtures the Best of Business every day.

Best Advertising Agency:
wedü
20 Market Street, Manchester
603-647-9338
www.wedu.com
The digital marketing agency provides fully integrated marketing campaigns that utilize all channels to reach the intended audience. Founded in 1998, wedü was a head of its time and stays in the know through bi-weekly digital round table sessions and its employee forum. With offices in Manchester and New York City, wedü provides strategic thinking, brand & message development, creative services, digital marketing & advertising, traditional marketing & advertising and public relations. 

Best New Media Agency:
SilverTech
196 Bridge Street, Manchester
603-669-6600
www.silvertech.com
From award-winning digital marketing to website design and custom application development, SilverTech identifies opportunities to maximize revenue, performance, profit and results. Its full range of digital lifecycle services – including business intelligence and analytics, CMS and systems integration, content and social strategy, managed hosting, marketing automation, responsive design, SEO and more – deliver user experiences and digital marketing strategies that drive customers from lead to loyalty.

Editor's Picks

Best After-dinner Smoke:
Federal Cigar
36 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-319-6920
www.federalcigar.com
It may be 93 years old, but Federal Cigar has had a makeover and boy does it look snazzy. The cigar shop spent several years in the alleyway on Ladd Street before moving to Market Street last year where it also opened a 4,000-square-foot cigar bar reminiscent of a speakeasy. Bartenders will gladly recommend a cocktail to pair with your cigar selection. And don’t worry about smelling to high-heavens; Federal’s is one of two bars on the East Coast with an extension ventilation system that will turn over the entire space in just two minutes.

Greatest Hops for Success:
Smuttynose Brewing Company
105 Towle Farm Road, Hampton
603-436-4026
www.smuttnose.com
Founded in 1994, Smuttynose greatly expanded its reach last year with the completion of its 42,000-square-foot production facility, enabling the brewery to triple its production. Good thing too, with news in 2014 that Smuttynose was introducing its classic line up, including Old Brown Dog Ale and Finestkind IPA, to the Arizona, Texas and Tennessee markets. Just this past February, Smuttynose opened Hayseed, it’s onsite restaurant offering over two dozen taps with Smuttynose, Smuttlabs and selected guest beers. The menu will use ingredients sourced from the Seacoast’s vibrant farms and fisheries, and from gardens that will be planted on site, bringing farming back to Towle Farm. Now distributing to 26 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, it won’t be long until Smuttynose hits all 50.

Best Collaboration:
1,000 Mentors
Launched by the Manchester School District, Southern New Hampshire University and the National Center for Competency-Based Learning, the initiative aims to connect community members, businesses and organizations directly with schools to help students earn academic credit outside of school by mastering a skill or concept. The initiative is seeking a variety of professions – doctors, lawyers, electricians, software developers, news reporters, painters, musicians – to mentors students and provide real-world training that will lead to a more-skilled future workforce in the Granite State.

Most Persevering Leader:
Mel Gosselin
When she started at the New Hampshire Food Bank, 12 years ago, it was situated in a tight space in downtown Manchester with a network of pantries that served about 65,000 people. Now, thanks to Executive Director Mel Gosselin’s leadership, the food bank is housed at a 60,000-square-foot facility on East Industrial Park Drive that serves 130,000. Mel’s experience opening Walmart stores and working as a supervisor in the manufacturing industry has transitioned nicely to running a tight ship at the NH Food Bank. Her expertise and watchful eye is even more necessary as retailers gain tighter control over their inventory and the organization develops different methods to feed the people of New Hampshire.

Best Long-Term Investment:
The Bonnie Newman Endowed Scholarship Fund
Recognizing New Hampshire students with aspirations for public and community service and based on academic achievement, the Bonnie Newman Endowed Scholarship Fund provides one-year full tuition scholarships to seven students pursuing an education at each of New Hampshire’s seven community colleges. Impressed with the Community College System of New Hampshire, Bonnie Newman gained support from Paul and Anna Grace Holloway, Judd and Kathy Gregg and John and Susan Lynch to expand a single scholarship into seven.

The Epitome of Patience and Anonymity:
Karen Wadsworth
Stepping down as clerk of the New Hampshire House after 20 years, Karen Wadsworth led a career focused on long-term institution integrity. The first female clerk and longest-serving one, Wadsworth worked for five Republican speakers and one Democratic speaker, serving them all with equal devotion. Her role included overseeing the office staff, publication of the regular calendars and journals of House legislative business, providing parliamentary advice to the speaker during House floor sessions and helping 400 members understand how the House works.

Best Place to House Your Startup:
Alpha Loft
AlphaLoft supports and provides resources to entrepreneurs, improving their prospects for successfully launching and scaling innovation-based businesses. With multiple co-working locations, Alpha Loft provides high value programming, events, advice and mentoring at its locations in Durham, Portsmouth and Manchester.

Largest Gender Gap Bridge:
TechWomen|TechGirls
Led by Catherine Blake, founder of Sales Protocol International, and part of the NH High Tech Council, the recently formed TechWomen|TechGirls is connecting women in New Hampshire’s tech industry to form a network that will inspire the next generation into pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics-based careers.

Best Way to Enhance Women’s Trade Skills:
Building Pathways NH
Designed for unemployed and underemployed women, the program provides five weeks of hands-on training in a variety of construction trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, blueprint reading, and more. The NH AFL-CIO, the NH State Building and Construction Trades Council and the Carpenters Union sponsor the program, which receives support from the federal Workforce Investment Act funds and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Best Place to Build Your Robot:
Port City Makerspace
The spirit of sharing and collaboration drives the makerspace where members can share and store tools, have a workspace and collaborate on projects ranging from woodworking to electronics to weaving. Among the resources available are an electronics lab with soldering equipment, wire strippers, precision screwdrivers and 3D printers; a woodshop with a surface planer, table saw, chop saw, bench sander, band saw, lathe, drill press and tools; a metal shop with welders, a plasma cutter, bench grinder and bridge mill; and a bike shop with bike tools.

Best Way to Keep Track of Your Things:
Rejjee
With a recommendation from the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association and digital data-entry templates compliant with the National Crime Information System, Rejjee is becoming a digital 911 for property crime reporting. Lost or stolen objects can be reported in real-time via the mobile app and sent to over a 100 police departments in 15 states, including Kensington, N.H. If you don’t locate your missing item, Rejjee connects consumers with partner retailers who will provide hefty discounts for replacement items.

Best Sustainable Business Efforts:
Antioch University
Reducing the ecological footprint of a college takes time, but Antiotich University has demonstrated its willingness to put in the effort with its “Green Guru” program. Since 2007, the university has taught faculty and staff how to reduce their electricity use and alternative commuting strategies. In 2013, Antioch learned it reduced electricity usage by 68 percent. Recently it partnered with TerraCycle to upcycle energy bar wrappers and common bathroom toiletry packaging like toothpaste tubes.

Best New Way to Apply to College:
ApplyKit
A virtual filing cabinet that allows parents to keep tabs on their process without breathing down the applicant’s neck, ApplyKit is taking the complex college application process and laying it out neatly in an online profile. Students can even keep tabs on the social media feeds from the schools they’re applying to. And guidance counselors can gain access in their own account to easily submit letters of recommendation. Popular with international students applying to U.S. colleges, ApplyKit is the wave of the future.

Best Place to Validate Your Knowledge of Wine and Your Artistic Talent:
Muse Paintbar (Manchester)
Peek into the windows on Hanover Street and you’ll see several masterpieces that you can make yourself. Grab a group of friends or make new ones at your table and attempt your own sunset or winter’s night scene. Instructors won’t paint you into a corner, so feel free to choose whatever painting you like, doesn’t have to be the night’s selection. If you are questioning your artistic ability perhaps a glass of wine will help spark your creativity. 

Most Inspirational Ski Area Resurrection:
Mt. Eustis Ski Hill
Closed in the early 1970s, the Mount Eustis ski area recently reopened to great fanfare. Several longtime Littleton residents and people in nearby towns raised about $50,000 toward the project and received about $75,000 worth of donated labor, equipment and materials. They installed a new rope-tow system and poles, platforms at the base and summit, a warming hut at the base and a parking area. The group hopes to maintain the public property with donations from skiers and snowboarders.

Most Unique Date:
Valley Snow Dogz
There’s nothing like being pulled in a dog sled under the stars in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Unique first-hand experiences are shared all over Valley Snow Dogz’s site, which also lists options for when and where to spend your memorable dog sledding tour. Squam Lake provides a 260 degree scenic vista, for instance. And yes, you are allowed to pet the Alaskan and Siberian Huskies.

Biggest Impact Outside N.H.:
Emissary Transition Group
The connectivity of today’s world allows Emissary Transition Group to operate a small team out of Lyndeborough, N.H. with emissaries all over the world, assisting private companies, NGOs and the U.S. government in projects abroad. The firm recently held an event in Kosovo to train lawyers and judges how to navigate the courtroom and teach police soft skills. As businesses increase the export of their products and services, the company, led by international photographer Tina Hager, aims to assist and provide cultural expertise in starting up business in developing regions.   

Best Ongoing Business Program:
SCORE
Providing free seminars and resources to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs for forty years, SCORE trains business people to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors for the growing business community. The nonprofit is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration and has five chapters in New Hampshire: Mt. Washington Valley, Seacoast Chapter, Upper Valley, Monadnock and Southern NH.

Most Promising Advancement for Women:
Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Index Fund
This socially responsible investment fund is the first and only mutual fund in the country that invests in companies that invest in women and their advancement in the workplace. When Pax World Management, the advisor to Portsmouth-based Pax World Funds, and Ellevate teamed up last June, there were 406 companies already indexed for the fund, based on demonstrative gender leadership and meeting key environmental, social and governance standards that match Pax World’s overall mission.

Best Competition to Stir Up Innovation:
TechOut
Organized jointly by the NH High Tech Council and Alpha Loft, TechOUT is a startup competition that identifies talented tech entrepreneurs and funds them through investment capital awards of $100,000 a year. The fast-paced event features live pitches by finalists, displays of their innovations and networking opportunities with like-minded innovators, entrepreneurs and investors who all work to enhance the tech ecosystem in New Hampshire.

Best Government Industry Effort:
Live Free & Start
An initiative launched in 2014 by the governor’s office, the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority and the Department of Resources and Economic Development, Live Free and Start aims to create jobs in New Hampshire by making it easier for innovation-based companies to start up. The taskforce consists of a University of New Hampshire professor and 13 tech businessmen and women from across the state. This spring it will launch a fully interactive website and communications campaign designed to inspire and encourage entrepreneurs to start or grow their business in New Hampshire.

Best Public Relations Agency:
Millennium Integrated Marketing
150 Dow Street, Manchester
603-792-2200
www.mill-im.com
With offices in Manchester and Boston, Millennium Integrated Marketing is a full-service strategic advertising and public relations agency, offering market research, corporate branding, creative design, interactive technology, search engine optimization and more for clients across all industries. All of its work is completed in house, and as such is structured to provide the highest level of client service with expedient turnaround.

Best Video Production Company:
Granite River Studios
10 Tinker Avenue, Unit E, Londonderry
603-568-7623
www.graniteriverstudios.com
A forward-thinking video production company offering a range of turnkey and a la carte services to its clients — from concept and scriptwriting to shooting, editing and duplication. Its award-winning team specializes in the art of emotional story telling, using a combination of the spoken word, lighting, imagery, color and, most of all, music. Granite River strives to develop strong relationships with its clients, and through this synergy creates powerful film and video productions that have real and lasting impact on the minds of viewers.

Best Managed IT Service:
Technology Seed, LLC
2 Dyer Avenue, Salem
603-458-7190
www.tseed.com
Located on Route 28, Technology Seed is attentive to the needs of customers ranging from Manchester to Boston to even Worcester. The Salem-based company aims to make its customers more efficient and profitable by providing cloud migration services, comprehensive remote server image backup, HIPAA compliant encryption solutions and virtual server technologies. The focus is on the customer, returning phone calls and emails promptly, communicating well and keeping customers up-to-date on new technologies that they can use to their advantage.

Best Accounting Firm:
Howe, Riley & Howe, CPA
660 Chestnut Street, Manchester
603-627-3838
www.hrhcpa.com  
For more than 50 years, Howe Riley & Howe has offered tax, audit and litigation support and accounting consulting services through the use of the most up-to-date technologies. Whether a for-profit company or a charitable organization, Howe Riley & Howe has experienced staff to assist with your accounting needs.

Best Architectural Firm:
Lavallee Brensinger Architects
155 Dow Street, Suite 400, Manchester
603-622-5450
www.lbpa.com  
The architecture firm Lavallee Brensinger has nearly 40 years of innovative design experience. Collectively its staff has designed more than $3 billion dollars of new construction and renovation projects across a wide spectrum of market sectors, including health care, laboratory, education, corporate office, athletic, and civic projects. Its success comes from its unwavering commitment to client service and an endless pursuit of creative solutions and quality work.

Best Engineering Firm:
TFMoran Inc.
48 Constitution Drive, Bedford
603-472-4488
www.tfmoran.com
TFMoran Inc. is a regionally recognized land planning, civil engineering andlandscape architectural firm that has provided continuous service to private and public clients since 1968. Committed to responsible, sustainable development, TFMoran is a leader in green technology and claims many of the region’s “firsts,” including the first commercial use of porous pavement, the first green roof, the first commercial use of bio-retention, the first commercial use of grass-pavers and xeriscape plantings, among many others.

Best General Contractor:
Harvey Construction
10 Harvey Road, Bedford
603-624-4600
www.harveyconstruction.com
Harvey Construction has built a solid reputation based upon trust, technical competence and the determination to serve clients with ingenuity and speed. Its expertise in the construction of sophisticated facilities includes educational facilities, hospitals, government buildings, office buildings and other structures.

Best Mechanical Contractor:
Granite State Plumbing & Heating
10 N. Riverdale Road, Weare
603-529-3322
www.granitestateplumbingandheating.com
Granite State Plumbing & Heating Inc. has been providing HVAC and mechanical systems installation and service since 1983. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Comfort Systems USA, Granite State Plumbing and Heating focuses on the mid-market commercial industrial and institutional sectors, while caring for customers, employees and the environment. 

Best Electrical Contractor:
Longchamps Electric Inc.
700 Harvey Road, Manchester
603-625-5954
www.longchampselectric.com
Longchamps Electric Inc., now one of the largest electrical and communications systems contractors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, was founded more than 30 years ago by master electrician Robert O. Longchamps. Longchamps is a full-service electrical contractor capable of handling projects of all sizes and scope. The firm also provides design-build services as well as project fast-tracking, on-call services, telecommunications and back-up generator installation.

Best Cell Phone Provider:
Verizon Wireless
Locations throughout New Hampshire
140 West Street, New York, NY
800-837-4966
www.verizonwireless.com  
Verizon Wireless has the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network as well as coverage in more than 200 countries. With a variety of plans tailored to businesses, Verizon Wireless can keep your company connected to customers down the street or across the country. In the past several years, Verizon has expanded its “lightning-fast” 4G LTE network into many New Hampshire towns and cities.

Best Telecommunications Provider:
Comcast
One Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA
800-COMCAST
www.comcast.com
Comcast Corp. is one of the nation’s leading providers of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, with 21.7 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers. Backed by industry-leading, 24/7 business-class support, Comcast provides advanced communication solutions to small and mid-sized organizations to help them meet their business needs through its Comcast Business Services.

Best Corporate Moving Company:
Ray the Mover
1 Allard Drive, Manchester
603-669-7170
www.raythemover.net
Established in 1937 by Raymond Allard, Ray The Mover is a third-generation family-owned and -operated business. As a premium service mover, it utilizes a large fleet of modern vans and equipment, palletized warehousing and carefully selected van crews. The company has a network of over 300 destination agents throughout the United States to assist corporate clients. Additionally, Ray The Mover is one of the top-rated military carriers in New England, serving military personnel who are being relocated throughout the country.

Best Commercial Real Estate Broker:
Keller Williams Realty
Offices throughout New Hampshire
512-327-3070
www.kw.com
Based in Austin, Texas, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest residential real estate company in the United States by agent count, with eight offices in New Hampshire, in Bedford, Concord, Dover, Keene, Londonderry, Nashua, Portsmouth and Wolfeboro. Its commercial real estate arm, KW Commercial,
delivers industry-leading education, top-of-the-line technology and unparalleled support to its agents and brokers, helping them to make your commercial transaction swift, efficient and, most importantly, profitable.

Best Waste Removal Company:
Waste Management Inc.
Offices in Londonderry, New Hampton, North Swanzey and Rochester
1001 Fannin, Suite 4000, Houston, Texas
800-847-5303
www.wastemanagement.com
 Waste Management provides solid waste collection services as well as transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services to New Hampshire and across the country. Waste Management also is a leader in waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy practices in the United States.

Best Waste Removal Company (Local):
Pinard Waste Systems
32 W. River Road, Hooksett
603-623-6937
www.pinardwaste.com
New Hampshire-based Pinard Waste Systems is the largest privately owned waste-handling company in the state. Headquartered in Hooksett, it is known for its customer service and proactive approach in fostering environmentally sound practices.

Best Art Gallery for Corporate Art:
McGowan Fine Art
10 Hills Avenue, Concord
603-225-2515
www.mcgowanfineart.com
 McGowan Fine Art has been serving the art needs of northern New England for nearly 35 years, offering a distinctive selection of New England artists, both emerging and established, in a variety of mediums, styles and price ranges. It offers something for everyone, from the first-time buyer to the experienced collector.

Best Executive Search Firm:
KBW Financial Staffing & Recruiting
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-792-2345
www.kbwfinancial.com
KBW is the leading provider of finance and accounting staffing services for companies and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, specializing in permanent, temporary and temporary-to-hire services. Since it was founded in 2005, KBW has grown rapidly throughout the region, being named to Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies for the past five consecutive years.

Best Staffing Service:
The Nagler Group
5 Bedford Farms Drive, Suite 304, Bedford
603-637-1492
www.naglergroup.com
The Nagler Group is a leading staffing firm focusing on administrative and human resource recruiting for employers and job seekers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  It offers a full suite of temporary and direct-hire staffing services with a dedicated staff focusing exclusively on the local community.

Best Clothier for Women:
Alapage
25 S. River Road, Suite 301, Bedford
603-622-0550
www.alapageboutique.com
Alapage, located at Bedford Square, has been offering the latest clothing designs as well as accessories, gifts and shoes since 1989. Its Jean Bar offers a wide range of styles, fit and lengths to fit almost any woman from designers such as 7 for All Mankind, True Religion, Christopher Blue and Not Your Daughter’s Jeans.

Best Clothier for Men:
George’s Apparel
675 Elm Street, Manchester
603-622-5441
www.georgesapparel.com
This full-service men’s clothing store in Manchester has it all – from suits to ties, accessories and outerwear. All suits and sport coats come with free alterations for the entire life of the garment. A knowledgeable staff, professional fittings, a huge inventory and in-house alterations make shopping for a high-quality suit easy and painless.

Best Barber Shop for Men:
Lucky’s Barbershop & Shave Parlor
50 S. State Street, Concord
603-715-5470
www.luckysbarbershop.biz
No “stylists,” no “salon,” this is a real traditional barbershop, just like the one your daddy went to – only better. Reconditioned antique barber chairs housed in a renovated tin-ceilinged shop, you can get a haircut and shave for a bit more, but not much, than two bits. And yes, it has the blue-and-red striped barber’s pole outside.

Best Styling Salon for Women:
Not So Plain Jane’s Salon & Spa
155 Dow Street, Suite 102, Manchester
603-622-5971
www.notsoplainjanes.com
Not So Plain Jane’s is located in a beautifully renovated historical mill and offers state-of-the-art services for hair, skin, nails and body. All haircuts begin with a personal consultation and a cleansing massage, and are completed with a blow-dry style. Other treatments include customized body massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Special packages are also available.

Best Courier and Delivery Service:
Granite State Shuttle Service
760 Central Avenue, Dover
800-633-9222
www.granitestateshuttle.com
Established in 1987 with two couriers and two vehicles, Granite State Shuttle Service has grown to over 150 vehicles, ranging from small sedans to larger cube trucks, and over 150 employees who strive to ensure its customers are professionally served. It provides pickup and delivery service to virtually all of New England on a daily basis, covering the entire state of New Hampshire, the Interstate 95 corridor from Kittery to Portland, Maine, along with areas of Vermont and Massachusetts.

Best Private Golf Course:
Manchester Country Club
180 S. River Road, Bedford
603-624-4096
www.manchestercountryclub.com
Originally designed by Donald Ross and built in 1923, the 18-hole course at Manchester Country Club plays an average of 6,348 yards with wide tree-lined fairways, small undulating greens and water hazards that will test novice and experienced golfers alike. MCC’s course has hosted several championship tournaments and has also been rated by Golf Digest as one of the best courses in the state.

Best Public Golf Course:
Atkinson Resort & Country Club
85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson
603-362-8700
www.atkinsonresort.com
Named 2015’s Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owner Association New England Chapter, the Atkinson Resort & Country Club is clearly home to one of New Hampshire’s finest 18-hole par 72 public golf courses. Its pristine setting in the rolling hills has been a place of solitude for city travelers since the 1800s. Atkinson Resort & Country Club is also home to one of the best practice facilities in New England, which is designed to help golfers improve their game. The facility consists of 15,000 square feet of grass tees, 12,000 square feet of putting greens, multiple bunkers and a 65-yeard short-game practice hole.

Best Hotel for Business Travel:
Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
250 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-2300
www.sheratonportsmouth.com
Conveniently located in the center of downtown Portsmouth, the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel allows travelers to step out on the colonial reminiscent brick streets for a meal at one of Portsmouth’s many fine restaurants, or if the weather is cold, sit down at the Two-Fifty Market restaurant inside the hotel. All guest rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, or you can utilize the business center Link@Sheraton free-of charge to access high-speed Internet, printing capability or simply lounge while you read a magazine or newspaper. The hotel is also a great spot for business meetings and functions, with complete on site professional audio/visual services and state of the art equipment available with massAV, the best and the largest audio visual staging and production team in New England.

Best Sporting Event to Take Clients To:
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
1 Line Drive, Manchester
603-641-2005
www.nhfishercats.com
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats were founded in October 2003 as the AA Eastern League Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. In the first season, the Fisher Cats played at historic Gill Stadium, located on Manchester’s east side, and won the 2004 Eastern League Championship. The team moved to its current home in 2005 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, formerly Merchantsauto.com Stadium, in downtown Manchester on the banks of the Merrimack River. The ballpark, which seats 6,500 people, regularly hosts theme nights to support local nonprofits.

Best MBA Program:
University of New Hampshire
105 Main Street, Durham
603-862-3000
www.gradschool.unh.edu
University of New Hampshire offers a full-time, fast-track MBA, an Executive MBA, as well as a flexible, part-time MBA (with classes offered on the Manchester and Durham campuses and online), which lets working professionals earn their degrees at their own pace in as little as 20 months or as long as six years. Instituted in 1996, the part-time MBA is the university’s most popular MBA offering, and was recognized in 2012 as one of the best of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Its full-time MBA program boasted a 95 percent job placement rate in 2012.

Best Online Degree Program:
Southern New Hampshire University
2500 N. River Road, Manchester
800-668-1249
www.snhu.edu
Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 180 accredited online programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Programs are designed to be flexible, fitting in with students’ schedules and budgets, while maintaining the school’s tradition of academic excellence.

Best Local Bank for Small Business:
Bank of New Hampshire
Locations throughout New Hampshire
62 Pleasant Street, Laconia
603-524-1212
www.banknh.com
Formerly Laconia Savings Bank, Bank of New Hampshire changed its name in 2012 to better reflect its statewide focus. It is New Hampshire’s largest independent bank and, since its inception in 1831, has grown to 21 offices statewide with more than $1 billion in assets. Because the bank is a mutual organization, it doesn’t answer to stockholders and can focus on the success of its customers, communities and employees.     

Best Regional Bank for Small Business:
Best Regional Commercial Lender:
TD Bank
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1701 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, N.J.
888-751-9000
www.tdbank.com
One of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., TD Bank offers a broad array of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services to nearly eight million customers through its extensive network of 1,300 convenient locations. TD provides business solutions to companies of all sizes. Its small business banking division offers hassle-free accounts and personalized services, as well as a dedicated small business representative with every account. Its commercial banking division offers treasury management services, loans and lines of credit, leasing and equipment finance, and more.

Best Investment Firm:
Fidelity Investments
Locations throughout New Hampshire
1 Spartan Way, Merrimack
603-791-5000
www.fidelity.com
Fidelity Investments is one of the world’s largest providers of financial services, with assets under administration of $4.9 billion, including managed assets of $1.9 billion. Founded in 1946, the firm is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial intermediary firms.

Best Credit Union:
St. Mary’s Bank
200 McGregor Street, Manchester
603-669-4600
www.stmarysbank.com
Founded in 1908 as the nation’s first credit union, St. Mary’s Bank has been offering an alternative to traditional banks ever since. As a credit union, Street Mary’s members own the institution, meaning decisions are made based on the best interests of the members. St. Mary’s offers a diverse array of financial products for businesses, including checking and savings accounts, commercial loans and SBA financing.

Best Florist:
Chalifour’s Flowers, Gift & Gourmet
46 Elm Street, Manchester
603-623-8844
www.chalifours.com
Whether it be a magnificent vase arrangement of roses for someone special in your life, birthday flowers or a heartfelt note of appreciation to business clients, you can rely on Chalifour’s decades of experience in bringing the very best that flowers can offer. Since 1940, Chalifour’s has expertly arranged, packed and hand-delivered flowers, plant and gourmet gift baskets to your destination.

Best Corporate Event Caterer:
Tidewater Catering Group
250 Commercial Street, Suite 2021, Manchester
603-668-6111
www.tidewatercatering.com
Tidewater Catering Group is a full-service, off-premise catering and event planning company located in Manchester’s historic Millyard. Tidewater can cater large corporate events or the most intimate affair, paying close attention to every detail of your event. Its team of experienced professionals works with you to accommodate and adapt to all your requests in food and service, ensuring that every detail of the function is perfectly executed.

Best Small Venue for Meetings
and Events (Tie):
Bedford Village Inn
2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford
603-472-2001
www.bedfordvillageinn.com
The perfect setting for your corporate meeting, dinner or retreat in New Hampshire, the Bedford Village Inn works with you to cater and customize every aspect of your corporate meetings, whether it’s a simple breakfast gathering or a private dinner featuring wine tastings with its certified sommelier. Its Great Hall accommodates meetings and conferences up to 225 people, and its function spaces are equipped with high-speed Internet, audio/visual equipment, video conferencing capabilities and more.

Best Small Venue for Meetings
and Events (Tie):
Wentworth by the Sea
588 Wentworth Road, New Castle
603-422-7322
www.wentworth.com
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from the island of New Castle, Wentworth by the Sea, a Marriott Hotel & Spa, provides a grand experience with three original Victorian towers constructed in the 1870s, along with stately guest rooms and suites that blend the hotel’s historic elegance with luxurious, modern amenities. With 10,000 square feet of flexible function space, Wentworth by the Sea includes three elegant ballrooms as well as more intimate spaces for executive meetings and brainstorming sessions. There are also options for team building activities, like golf outings at the Wentworth Country Club.

Best Networking Event:
Tri-City Expo
www.tricityexpo.com
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce,
603-224-2508
www.concordnhchamber.com
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, 603-666-6600
www.manchester-chamber.org
Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce,
603-881-8333
www.nashuachamber.com
The Tri-City Expo, an annual collaboration between the Manchester, Concord and Nashua Chambers of Commerce, features more than 200 exhibitors from all over the state, and welcomes more than 1,200 attendees.

Best Medium Venue for Meetings
and Events:
Grappone Conference Center
70 Constitution Avenue, Concord
603-225-0303
www.grapponeconferencecenter.com
With the largest ballroom and function space in the Concord area, the Grappone Conference Center is an ideal destination for your corporate event. All meeting rooms offer high-speed Internet access, individual lighting, sound, heat and air conditioning controls. Its dedicated team of event planners and culinary experts assist with every detail of your event, from technical audiovisual needs, complex floor plans to unlimited food and beverage possibilities. Its Granite Ballroom comfortable accommodates up to 500 guests.

Best Electricity Provider:
Eversource Energy
780 No. Commercial Street, Manchester
603-669-4000
www.eversource.com
Eversource Energy, formerly Public Service of New Hampshire, is the state’s largest electric utility, providing service to more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns in New Hampshire.

Best Payroll Service:
Paychex, Inc.
43 Constitution Drive, Bedford
603-471-2590
www.paychex.com
A recognized leader in the payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing industry since 1971, Paychex has more than 12,000 employees serving the needs of over a half a million small- to medium-sized businesses nationwide. Paychex offers a wide arrange of services with online and mobile tools, including payroll and payroll tax services, HR services, 401(k) plans, insurance and time and labor solutions.

Best Office Furniture: Staples
Locations throughout New Hampshire
500 Staples Drive, Framingham, MA
800-378-2753
www.staples.com
New England-based Staples Inc. opened its first office supply s uperstore in 1986 and today is the world’s largest office products company with more than 1,800 stores in North America. From pens, paper, data CDs – and, yes, staples – Staples offers a wide range of office products and solutions.

Best Large Venue for Meetings
and Events:
Omni Mount Washington Resort
310 Mount Washington Road, Bretton Woods
603-278-1000
www.omnihotels.com/MtWashington
As grand as the history behind it, Omni Mount Washington Resort is a favorite New England retreat and host to dozens of political, business and artistic gatherings. In January 2009, Omni Mount Washington Resort opened the Presidential Wing, one of the largest meeting spaces in northern New Hampshire, with a total of 30,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as a 25,000-square-foot spa and salon. The hotel’s varied meeting rooms are perfect for a wide range of meetings, including training sessions, customer presentations, team-building seminars and strategic planning retreats. Its staff is ready to attend to every detail, from itinerary planning to audio/visual equipment to custom menus.

Best Commercial Insurance Provider:
Best Employee Benefits:
Cross Insurance Agency
Locations throughout New Hampshire
800-999-7345
www.crossagency.com
Headquarted in Maine with nine offices in New Hampshire, Cross Insurance Agency offers experience in all facets of insurance protection – and more than 400 knowledgeable employees – so it can always assemble the team best suited to meet its clients’ business and personal insurance needs. Its business products are tailored for a range of industries and include property, general liability, business interruption income, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, professional liability and more. Its fully staffed employee benefits division represents more than 1,500 employee benefit clients through Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and each client is assigned a minimum of two Cross representatives: an account executive, whose principal responsibility is front line contact, and a benefits specialist, working in a day-to-day fashion with each client.

Best Hospital:
Elliot Hospital
1 Elliot Way, Manchester
603-669-5300
www.elliothospital.org
The cornerstone of the Elliot Health System – the largest provider of comprehensive health care services in Southern New Hampshire – is Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility in Manchester. Established in 1890, the hospital offers surrounding communities caring, compassionate and professional patient service regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual preference, or ability to pay. The hospital is Greater Manchester’s designated trauma center, and is also home to a cancer center, urology center, and has one of only three Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the state.

Best Local Health Club:
Executive Health & Sports Center
1 Highlander Way, Manchester
603-668-4753
www.ehsc.com
The Executive Health and Sports Center has been inspiring, motivating and educating people to be healthy, active and well for life for more than 30 years. With a staff of 200 professionals and more than 100,000 square feet of space on two floors, the facility offers a state-of-the-art cardio theater, aquatics and fully equipped training areas to help you feel and look your best. Fitness classes run the full spectrum from aerobics to racquetball to yoga.

Best Health Insurance Provider:
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England
650 Elm Street, Suite 700, Manchester
603-656-9500
www.harvardpilgrim.org
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is a full-service health benefits company serving members throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Harvard Pilgrim’s extensive network includes over 135 hospitals and 28,000 doctors and clinicians. It has a wide variety of health insurance options for companies, families and individuals, with fully insured or self-insured PPO, POS and HMO plans available with multiple variations tailored to the needs of its members. Harvard Pilgrim has topped the list of America’s Best Health Plans for the fourth year in a row.

Best Office Cleaning Service:
The Cleaning Guy
P.O. Box 115, Goffstown
603-487-2468
www.thecleaningguynh.com
For more than 30 years, The Cleaning Guy has been providing unmatched commercial cleaning services out of the greater Manchester area to residences and businesses across the state.  Its mission is to clean for health – that is, cleaning to keep facilities healthier places to work. It provides services such as daily and weekly office cleaning, carpet, window and floor care with the very best, high-quality equipment.

Office Supplies:
W.B. Mason
12 Murphy Drive, Nashua
888-926-2766
www.wbmason.com
Since 1898, the dedicated people at W.B. Mason have been passionate about bringing their amazingly low prices, superior delivery and outstanding personal service to businesses of all sizes for all of their office products needs. Headquartered in Brockton, Mass., W.B. Mason has grown to become the largest, privately owned office products dealer in the United States, with over 30 locations spanning 11 states, with everything you need for your office, from supplies and furniture, to break room and janitorial goods.

Best Locally Owned Payroll Service:
Trivantus Inc.
582 Chestnut Street, Manchester
603-624-7788
www.trivantus.com
Trivantus is a locally owned and operated payroll processing company specializing in streamlining employers’ outsourcing needs. Through advanced payroll technology and unsurpassed customer service, Trivantus allows employers to focus on what’s most important – their businesses.

Best Copy Services:
Printers Square
105 Faltin Drive, Manchester
603-623-0802
www.psquare.com
Printers Square has been providing commercial print and design services for 20 years. Since its inception, Printers Square has been dedicated to providing excellent service and print quality. Printers Square offers high-speed digital printing. Extensive pre-press analysis ensures your print job meets your specifications, while online job tracking informs you about your job every step of the way.

Best Long-Run Printer:
RAM Printing, Inc.
5 Commerce Park Drive, East Hampstead
603-382-7045
www.ramprinting.com
RAM Printing, a family-owned and -operated, full-service offset printing company, has been in business for 35 years. Located in East Hampstead, RAM Printing is a part of RAM Companies, which also includes RAM Mailing Service, Hampstead Print & Copy and GuestMark International, which provides specialized print services and products for the hospitality industry.

Best Short-Run Printer:
Wharf Industries Printing
3 Lexington Road, Windham
603-421-2566
www.wharfindustries.com
Wharf Industries has been providing high-quality commercial printing for over 35 years. With locations in Windham and Concord, no job is too small or project too large. Wharf offers large volume, high-speed printing services using state of the art equipment, graphic design and layout services as well as delivery on demand and storage at its secure facility.

Best Promotional Products Supplier:
Say it in Stitches
128 Hall Street, Suite B, Concord
603-224-6470
www.stitchesnh.com
Say it in Stitches is a promotional product distributor with a mission to help you create long-lasting relationships with your clients through the power of promotional products. Promotional products are used by virtually every business in America, and Say it in Stitches can supply your company with every possible promotional product – such as pens, mugs, t-shirts, wristbands or lanyards – from more than 3,000 suppliers.

Best Auto Dealership:
AutoFair Automotive Group
Dealerships in Manchester, Nashua and Stratham
603-634-1000
www.autofair.com
For more than 20 years, AutoFair has served New Hampshire and surrounding areas as a new and used auto dealership. With services such as an online Car Finder, AutoFair’s Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen and Pre-Owned dealerships work hard to make your vehicle shopping experience an enjoyable and memorable one. AutoFair also takes pride in serving the community, and is a founding member of the Manchester Charitable Foundation.

Best Auto Fleet Dealership:
Merchants Automotive Group
1278 Hooksett Road, Hooksett
888-255-2419
www.merchantsauto.com;
www.merchantsfleetmanagement.com
The largest family-run, pre-owned dealer in New England, Merchants Auto seeks to customize your fleet needs with its wide variety of fleet management options, including open-end leases with unbundled services and self-insurance and close-end leases that include budgeted maintenance with traditional insurance coverage.

Best Auto Luxury Dealership:
Tulley BMW
170 Auto Center Road, Manchester
888-453-4380
147 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua
888-461-8281
www.tulleybmw.com
With locations in both Nashua and Manchester, Tulley BMW treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. Its experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm about its range of new and certified pre-owned BMWs. Both facilities also have BMW Service Centers, which are staffed with experienced, BMW-trained technicians who will quickly diagnose and remedy any areas of concern and get you back on the road quickly and safely.

Best Business Startup Competition:
Paul J. Holloway Prize
Innovation-to-Market Competition
www.paulcollege.unh.edu/paul-j-holloway-innovation-market-prize
Named in honor of New Hampshire Entrepreneur Paul J. Holloway, the Holloway competition is open to all students of the University System of New Hampshire. Established in 1988, the competition presents cash awards to winning teams and runners-up who demonstrate a solid plan for bringing an innovative product or service to market. The rigor of the competition maximizes educational value, prepares students for the realities of the businessworld, and helps to generate new business opportunities.

Best Car Service:
Grace Limousine
PO Box 3510, Manchester
603-666-0203
www.gracelimo.com
Family-owned and -operated from Manchester since 1990, Grace Limousine is committed to providing the best in personal, special event and corporate transportation. More than just transportation, Grace’s fleet includes Lincoln sedans, a stretch Navigator, a 1956 Rolls Royce Bentley and “green” vehicles such as the Lexus SUV hybrid, as well as stretch limousines equipped with LCD TV’s and DVD players.

Best Young Professionals Network:
Manchester Young Professionals Network
www.mypn.org
Established in 2004, the Manchester Young Professionals Network is New Hampshire’s first and largest young professionals’ networking organization, supporting nearly 3,000 young professionals in the Queen City. Through monthly and sometimes weekly events, MYPN aims to create business and social opportunities, support professional development and welcome new and existing young professionals to the Manchester community.  MYPN also hosts one of the start’s largest business startup competitions, the New Hampshire Startup Challenge, which provides cash and in-kind services to winning business plans.

Best Commercial Signage:
Jutras Signs
30 Harvey Road, Bedford
603-622-2344
www.jutrassigns.com
Founded in 1940, Jutras specializes in illuminated signs, including neon, as well as non-illuminated signs, banners, awnings, flags and other signage. In addition to design services, Jutras also offers a complete repair shop with the ability to maintain and service virtually any sign.

Best Bankruptcy Law Firm:
Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green
1000 Elm Street, 17th Floor, Manchester
603-668-0300
www.sheehan.com
Members of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group at Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green represent clients in every aspect of business bankruptcy and insolvency, including closely and publicly held debtors, post-petition lenders, other secured and unsecured creditors, and more. Both inside and outside of bankruptcy cases, its members advise those buying and selling troubled businesses’ assets, including related real estate and intellectual property interests.

Best Corporate Law Firm:
Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com
Devine Millimet attorneys offer legal counsel to businesses and individuals throughout New Hampshire and New England, handling legal issues for businesses of all types – from small and emerging LLCs to large national corporations. U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers ranked the firm as one of the 2015 Best Law Firms in New Hampshire in 23 practice areas.

Best Employment Law Firm:
McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, PA
900 Elm Street, Manchester

603-625-6464
www.mclane.com
With over 25 paralegals, 90 attorneys and four locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, PA provides expertise while keeping legal costs in check, by addressing matters promptly and effectively. The law firm assists clients with workplace audits, strategic workforce training, timely workplace investigations and more, in industries ranging from manufacturing to educational and technology business. The firm has substantial expertise in discrimination, harassment, disability, data privacy, drug testing, family and medical leave, federal and state regulatory compliance, OSHA, wage and hour, reductions in fore, immigration, and more.

Best Intellectual Property Law Firm:
Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law
111 Amherst Street, Manchester

603-669-1000

www.devinemillimet.com
In addition to patent prosecution and litigation before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Devine Millimet’s Patent, Trademark & Licensing team provides prior art searches, patentability evaluations and validity and infringement opinions, with help through their network of associates in foreign jurisdictions. The firm also provides copyright registration and enforcement, preparation of technology transfer agreements and formation of joint ventures.

Best Real Estate Law Firm:
Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law
111 Amherst Street, Manchester

603-669-1000

www.devinemillimet.com
Devine Millimet’s real estate attorneys represent a wide variety of developers, owners and lenders with complex legal needs in the acquisition, permitting and development of major real estate projects throughout New England. Whether clients are pursuing growth, redevelopment or diversification, Devine attorneys and staff bring to clients a practical approach to success in all manner of real estate development projects and transactions.

Best Tax Law Firm:
Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law
111 Amherst Street, Manchester
603-669-1000
www.devinemillimet.com
The Tax Practice Group at Devine Millimet provides clients with a broad range of services to handle any potential tax issue. The firm assists clients with all civil (non-criminal) aspects of federal and state taxation including tax planning, audit strategy, administrative appeal and litigation. Devine Millimet combines practical, creative solutions with the necessary experience and expertise to help business owners come to sound and reasonable tax resolutions that work for their company.

Best After-Work Bar:

Greater Manchester:
Copper Door
15 Leavy Drive, Bedford
603-488-2677
www.copperdoorrestaurant.com

Monadnock Region:
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
77 Main Street, Keene
603-357-4492
www.margs.com

Greater Concord:
The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Nashua:
The Peddler’s Daughter
48 Main Street, Nashua
603-821-7535
www.thepeddlersdaughter.com

Seacoast:
The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com

North of Concord:
Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery
135 Main Street, North Woodstock
603-745-3951
www.woodstockinnnh.com

Best Business Dinner:

Greater Manchester:
Hanover Street Chophouse
149 Hanover Street, Manchester
603-644-2467
www.hanoverstreetchophouse.com

Greater Nashua:
The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord:
The Common Man Concord
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Salem:
Tuscan Kitchen
67 Main Street, Salem
603-952-4875
www.tuscanbrands.com

Seacoast:
Portsmouth Gas Light Co.
64 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-430-8582
www.portsmouthgaslight.com

North of Concord:
O Steaks & Seafood
11 S. Main Street, Concord
603-856-7925
www.magicfoodrestaurantgroup.com/osteaks/

Monadnock Region:
Giorgio’s Mediterranean & Italian Restaurant
524 Nashua Street, Milford
603-673-3939
www.giorgios.com

Best Business Lunch:

Greater Manchester:
Cotton
75 Arms Street, Manchester
603-622-5488
www.cottonfood.com

Greater Nashua:
The Common Man
304 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack
603-429-3463
www.thecman.com

Greater Concord:
The Common Man
25 Water Street, Concord
603-228-3463
www.thecman.com

Seacoast:
The Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market Street, Portsmouth
603-431-1115
www.portsmouthbrewery.com

North of Concord:
Horsefeathers
2679 White Mountain Highway, No. Conway
603-356-2687
www.horsefeathers.com

Monadnock Region:
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
77 Main Street, Keene
603-357-4492
www.margs.com

Best Cup of Coffee:

Greater Manchester:
The Bridge Café
1117 Elm Street, Manchester
603-647-9991
www.thebridgecafe.net

Greater Nashua:
Riverwalk Cafe & Music Bar
35 Railroad Square, Nashua
603-578-0200
www.riverwalknashua.com

Monadnock Region:
Prime Roast Coffee Company
16 Main Street, Keene
603-352-7874
www.primeroast.wordpress.com

Seacoast:
Breaking New Grounds
14 Market Square, Portsmouth
603-436-9555
www.bngcoffee.com

Greater Concord:
True Brew Barista
3 Bicentennial Square, Concord
603-225-2776
www.truebrewbarista.com

North of Concord:
White Mountain Cafe
212 Main Street, Gorham
603-466-2511
www.whitemountaincafe.com

Greater Salem:
Village Bean
33 Indian Rock Road, Windham
603-434-2326
www.villagebean.com

Look below for photos from the 2015 BOBs

Categories: BOB Awards, News

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