The Latest: Week of January 30, 2026

The Latest is a roundup of the comings and goings of the movers and shakers in NH's business community

1 hour ago

Amanda Andrews,

TECHNOLOGY

Jeff McPherson has been promoted to president for SilverTech, where he has held various leadership roles over 25 years. McPherson will now lead the daily operations of the firm and help expand its foray into AI, data and consulting for clients looking to modernize their digital ecosystems.

HEALTH CARE

Warde Senior Living, a Catholic Charities senior health care facility in Windham, was named among the nation’s top providers of short-term rehabilitation for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. Warde earned a “high-performing” rating for its strong staffing, inspection results and resident outcomes.

Dartmouth Health Medical Center (DHMC) has enrolled in the NH Veteran Friendly Business Network (NHVFB) and was honored with a Platinum rating — the highest level awarded by the NH Department of Military Affairs & Veteran Services (NHDMAVS) and NH Employment Security (NHES) based on the organization’s current and self-reported practices.

Southern New Hampshire Health’s Medical Center has become the only hospital in the state to earn a fifth Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes excellence in an organization’s commitment to patient outcomes, professional nursing practice and continuous improvement. The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research has rebranded to become the New England Society for Biomedical Research (NESBR), reflecting its commitment to providing knowledge and understanding of biomedical science to all of New England. The nonprofit biomedical research organization was founded in 1953 to advocate for and educate on the importance of the responsible and humane use of animals in biomedical research to drive medical innovation forward.

Granite VNA, New Hampshire’s largest nonprofit home health and hospice agency, raised more than $53,000 during its annual Season of Remembrance campaign, which aims to honor people who have died and to celebrate those who provide hospice care in the community. Nearly 400 businesses and individuals supported the campaign, which began in October.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp (NHMB) recently welcomed Amy Bergen as vice president, CRA and fair lending officer. She has over 25 years of experience with banking, from small credit unions to national banks and consulting firms. For the last 15 years, she specialized in regulatory compliance, and has a passion for community-based mutual banks.

Angel Cuadrado has joined St. Mary’s Bank as Member Experience I at the Bank’s Spruce Street in Nashua branch. He also volunteers with the Special Olympics and teaches financial literacy to students in the Granite State Independent Living program.

Lauren Young has joined Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) as vice president, residential mortgage sales (NMLS# 1890212). She succeeds Charlie Dowd, who recently retired after a 24-year career in banking. Young previously served as a mortgage loan officer and a sales manager.

Ledyard Bank recently announced that Joel Gianninoto has joined as vice president and commercial relationship manager, bringing more than 15 years of experience in C&I and CRE lending across New England to the role. He previously served as a vice president and commercial lender at BankProv, and held roles early in his career at Citizens Financial Group and Salem Five Bank.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston) has launched a Disaster Relief Program to provide mortgage assistance to income-eligible homeowners and small businesses in New England impacted by state or federally declared disasters.

During a declared disaster, FHLBank Boston members holding or servicing mortgages for small businesses or homeowners with incomes at or below 100% of the area median income can submit requests for up to six months of mortgage assistance, with a maximum grant of $15,000 per recipient.

Spencer Hathaway, CPA, has been promoted to principal in Baker Newman Noyes’ Assurance Practice. He has been with the firm since 2013, and is now treasurer on the board of directors for the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Rise Private Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice with Ameriprise Financial in Bedford, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” published by Forbes, which recognizes financial advisors and their teams who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. Rise was chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, compliance record and best practices in their practice and approach to working with clients.

Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) President and CEO Brian Hughes has been inducted into the 2025 Make-A-Wish New Hampshire Legends Through Time Hall of Fame. The recognition honors his exemplary years of service and leadership in the ongoing partnership among HRCU, New Hampshire credit unions and Make-A-Wish New Hampshire. The partnership of New Hampshire credit unions has collectively raised more than $4 million through a broad range of initiatives to support wish-granting efforts for children with critical illnesses, a milestone reflecting nearly three decades of dedication and community support.

MARKETING

Montagne Powers, a full-service public relations and strategic communications firm, has hired Hunter Harpin as an assistant account executive to support the development and execution of communications campaigns for clients spanning the real estate development, government contracting and gaming industries. Harpin previously worked for a communications firm that specializes in helping international clients break into the U.S. media market.

NONPROFITS

The Moore Center, a nonprofit that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has appointed Shannon Sullivan to the position of chief advancement officer, tasked with overseeing fundraising, community engagement and communications for the agency.

Step Up Parents — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance, emotional support and resources to kinship caregivers raising children whose parents struggle with substance use disorder — launched its first annual Winter Stability Campaign, designed to assist families with essentials like heat, electricity, warm clothing, cribs and other household basics. Corporate sponsors Service Credit Union and Meredith Village Savings Bank have already helped Step Up Parents raise over $32,000 last fall.

The Merrimack County Saving Bank Foundation has awarded $64,050 in grants to local nonprofits to support community efforts. The 26 organizations who received funds included: Best Buddies NH, Boys and Girls Club of Central NH, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, Catholic Charities NH/NH Food Bank, Circle Program, Coalition for Open Democracy, Connor’s Climb Foundation, Families in Transition, Family Promise of Greater Concord, The Friendly Kitchen, Friends of Concord Crew, Friends of Forgotten Children, Girls Inc. of NH, The Granite YMCA, Marguerite’s Place, Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, Nashua Police Athletic League, NH Campaign for Legal Services, NH Career Academy, Overcomers Refugee Services, Pittsfield Youth Workshop, Salem Family Resources, Scouts BSA Troop 292, Waypoint and YMCA of Greater Nashua.

Our Place NH, a nonprofit committed to creating residential opportunities tailored to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has received $55,000 in grant funding to help support the renovation and expansion of a former child care center into its first supportive housing property.

The funding includes two grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation — $40,000 from the Charlie Bucket Fund and $5,000 from the Charles W. Jones Fund — as well as a $10,000 grant from the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation. The former child care center will be transformed into nine one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to help 11 adults with IDD live independently while receiving the support they need.

Wonderland Thrift Shop awarded $50,000 as part of its 2025 charitable contributions to local nonprofits making a meaningful impact across the Seacoast region. Recipients receiving funds are KEY Collective, Vouchers for Veterans, HAVEN, Cross Roads House, Annie’s Angels, Step Up Parents and CHASE Home.

TRANSPORTATION

McFarland-Johnson a 100% employee-owned planning, engineering, technology, environmental, and construction services firm, recently promoted Brian Colburn, P.E., to principal highway engineer within the firm’s Transportation Division. Colburn has been with the firm for 25 years, most recently serving as senior transportation manager, with experience working for NHDOT, MaineDOT, among others.

McFarland-Johnson (MJ) recently welcomed David Edwards, former CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), to the firm as an executive aviation advisor. Edwards will work directly with airport sponsors, executive leadership teams and MJ project staff to support strategic planning, governance and organizational assessments, capital program delivery and future-focused airport development strategies. Advantage Truck Group (ATG) has named its 2025 Pete DePina Legacy Award winners for New Hampshire, recognizing one individual at each of its four dealerships for making an impact on their fellow employees, customers and the company: Jeff Normand, inside parts sales associate, ATG Lancaster; Jim Rice, inside parts sales associate, ATG Lebanon; Kyle Quinn, service advisor, ATG Manchester; and John Turner, diesel technician, ATG Seabrook.

ENVIRONMENT

ENCON Evaporators of Hooksett, NH, has acquired Apollos Water of Battle Ground, Indiana. Founded in 1993, ENCON Evaporators designs, manufactures and distributes wastewater-minimization equipment. Calder Capital served as the exclusive buy-side mergers and acquisitions advisor to ENCON Evaporators.

In response to the severe drought conditions experienced during the summer of 2025, the NH Department of Environmental Services has launched the Emergency Drought Assistance Program. Through the $1.5 million in grant funding from the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, financial assistance is now available to private residential well owners whose drinking water supplies were compromised by the drought.

Eligible uses include repairing, rehabilitating or replacing a residential well. Visit www.dwgtf.des.nh.gov to learn more.

LAW

Manchester-based Wadleigh, Starr & Peters, PLLC is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the firm: attorneys Catherine Bousquet, Michael Eaton and William Reddington. Bousquet focuses on the defense of hospitals and health care practitioners in medical malpractice litigation; Eaton focuses on appeals of both civil and criminal matters, civil litigation, post-conviction litigation and criminal defense; and Reddington focuses on areas of land use and zoning, municipal law, real estate, commercial lending, tax-exempt financing and corporate law.

The shareholders of Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., have elected 12 new partners to the firm: Kirsten Allen, Michael Atkins, William Baker, Chris Bandazian, Elana Baron, Olivia Bensinger, Leah Cole Durst, Adam Kossayda, Sarah Landres, Austin Mikolaities, Danielle Pomeroy and Barry Schuster.

CONSTRUCTION

Wise Construction, a construction management firm specializing in science and technology, health care and institutional projects based in Winchester, Mass., recently announced the opening of its new Manchester, NH, office at 900 Elm Street. The new office will serve as a strategic hub for new and existing clients from biotech, life science, hospitals and health care sectors.

The Manchester Historic Association (MHA) has selected five honorees for its 2026 Historic Preservation Awards, which recognizes and supports the efforts of individuals, businesses and organizations that have made contributions to the preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, traditions and other historic resources in the Queen City. Honorees are: Queen City Center, 215 Canal Street; Manning House at Brookside Congregational Church; Doctors Park at Elliot Hospital, 190 Tarrytown Road; Central High School Classical Building; and Phyllis Gagnon.

EDUCATION

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) announced two leadership changes: Dr. Marc Rubinstein, who has served as the CCSNH chancellor since 2021, will retire in August, and Donnalee Lozeau was elected as the new incoming board chair, succeeding Katharine Bogle Shields who served as chair since 2021.

Aimee Terravechia named 603 Equality’s first executive director

Aimee Terravechia has been named the new executive director of 603 Equality, which was founded in 2023 to address the increased need for LGBTQIA advocacy in New Hampshire. She most recently worked as a fundraiser at two NH-based nonprofits fostering financial support and community partnerships. Her career also includes work as a journalist, and she also served on government committees and nonprofit boards. In a recent press release announcing her new role, Terravechia expressed her excitement about advocating for policy that will make a positive impact on the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Granite State.