2025 Champion of Commerce Awards
2025 was the inaugural year for the Champion of Commerce awards.
Each year, BIA staff members identify individuals who have gone “above and beyond” and have demonstrated extraordinary service and commitment to BIA’s mission. Their contributions often fly under the radar, so to speak, but have really helped New Hampshire’s business community. We appreciate the tremendous amount of time and energy they have devoted to BIA.
2025 Recipients
Corinne Benfield of Stay Work Play NH accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Taylor Caswell of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Jodi Grimbilas of J. Grimbilas Strategic Solutions accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Larry Major Jr. of Pike Industries accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Alison Milioto of BlueLion accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Lindsay Nadeau of Orr & Reno accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Elyse Crossman of Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce and Ashlee Rowley of the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce accept Champion of Commerce Awards, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
Mike Vlacich of Cornerstone Government Affairs accepts a Champion of Commerce Award, which honors standout volunteer efforts, during the Business & Industry Association’s Annual Business Meeting at the Bedford Event Center on Thursday, May 15. Past-chair Katherine Garfield and Chair Bryan Granger present the award. (Don Chick Photography)
The 2025 Annual Business Meeting also welcomed in the 2025-2026 BIA Board Officers, from left to right - Michael Skelton President & CEO of the BIA; Bryan Granger, Chair, of C&S Wholesale Grocers; Katherine Garfield, Past-Chair, of Keller Companies; Scott Ellison, Secretary, of Sheehan Phinney; and Steve Lawlor, Treasurer, of Nathan Wechsler. Pat Closson, Chair-Elect of McLane Middleton is not photographed here. Credit Don Chick Photography.