
NH Business Review will recognize 17 accomplished business owners and operators throughout New Hampshire during its 21st annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony on Thursday, October 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The 2023 Business Excellence Awards, held at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, will honor top business executives from throughout the Granite State, including leaders from Service Credit Union, Swim With A Mission, PROCON, XMA Corporation, and Absolute Title. Tickets cost $85 per person and can be purchased at www.nhbr.com/events-awards/business-excellence-awards/.
“We are looking forward to recognizing the 2023 Business Excellence Award winners and the significant impact they have made on the state’s business community at this year’s award ceremony,” said Mike Cote, editor of NH Business Review. “Each of this year’s recipients play a prominent role in New Hampshire’s overall economic success and we are proud to take this opportunity to recognize their dedication and innovation.”
The Business Excellence Awards recognize both small and large New Hampshire-based businesses across several industries, including social equity, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
During the awards ceremony, Mary Jo Brown, Founder and President of Brown & Company and Big Brown Books, will be named the 2023 Hall of Fame recipient. Brown is an active community member, serving as Founding Chair Emeritus of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation and previously serving on the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Board. Brown was named to New Hampshire Magazine’s “Remarkable Women” list in 2009, Business New Hampshire’s “Influence Index” in 2014, New Hampshire Magazine’s 2018 “It List” and was named an “Outstanding Woman in Business” in 2018 by NH Business Review.
2023 Business Excellence Awards Recipients:
Business & Professional Services
Small: Donna Buxton, Owner, Buxton Water
Large: Jim Aguiar, Vice President of Technology, Absolute Title
Consumer Services
Small: Laura Rios, Sole Proprietor, What a Wood Work
Large: Brad Pernaw, Managing Partner, Common Man Roadside
Financial Services
Small: Nichole Raftopoulos, CEO, Nvest Financial
Large: Lori Cote, Small Business Team Leader, Service Credit Union
Healthcare
Large: Jason Smith, Senior Director of Long-Term Care, Rockingham County Rehab, Nursing, Assisted Living
Small: Nick Mercuri, Dept. Chair and Professor, Lakes Region Community College
Manufacturing
Small: Peter Richard, General Manager, XMA Corporation
Large: Jamie Byrd, President/Founder, New England Mechanical Overlay
Nonprofit
Small: Phil and Julie Taub, Co-Founders, Swim With A Mission, LLC
Large: Jennifer Haskins, CTE Director, Pinkerton Academy
Real Estate & Construction
Small: Gary Thomas, President/CEO, NorthPoint Construction Management
Large: John Stebbins and Jen Stebbins Thomas, Managing Directors, PROCON
Social Equity
Small: Nicole Sublette, Owner/Founder, Therapists of Color
Large: Jay Wolter, President, Moosilauke Visions
Technology
Small: Kevin Davis, CEO, Allen Datagraph Systems LLC
Award winners will be featured in the October 6 issue of NH Business Review. For information, visit www.nhbr.com/events-awards/business-excellence-awards/.
The 2023 Business Excellence Awards are sponsored by presenting sponsor M&T Bank, and general sponsors Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Service Credit Union, United Healthcare, Connection, Inc., Business & Industry Association of NH, On The Rocks Cocktails, BankProv, UHY LLP and New Hampshire PBS.