For seven decades, the Greater Manchester Chamber has recognized and honored an exemplary citizen who has made a professional and personal impact on the community. These nominations come directly from the people of the Greater Manchester community and reflect the values and overall mission of the GMC.
Nominate a Citizen of the Year

COY Nomination Criteria

The Citizen of the Year award recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding leadership and citizenship in the community while demonstrating exemplary vision, civic pride, and commitment to the betterment of society.

COY Nomination deadline is Friday, October 18, 2024!

Nomination Criteria

The individual nominated should be a resident of the greater Manchester area or be engaged in activities centered on the community. Recognition will be given based on leadership and performance in several areas of community service over a period of years. The individual recognized does not have to be a member of the Greater Manchester Chamber or the business community. It may be an individual from any walk of life and there are no requirements or restrictions relating to gender, race, religion, or ethnic background.

Nomination Procedures and Rules

Complete the nomination form and upload nominee qualifications, nominee biographical sketch and letters of recommendation (minimum of 3). If a candidate is not selected this year, the nomination will be automatically resubmitted for consideration next year. All nominations will be kept confidential. The award will not be given posthumously, and seated elected officials are unable to qualify as Citizen of the Year. An anonymous nomination committee selects the honoree based on the current and previous years’ nomination pool.

Nominate a COY

Attend The Citizen of the Year Celebration!

Check back here to learn more about the 2025 annual event, which is an opportunity for Chamber Members, community members, friends, family, and colleagues of the honoree to celebrate their accomplishments and their dedication to the City of Manchester.

Click Here for More Info

2025 Citizen of the Year Celebration

Since 1954, the Greater Manchester Chamber has hosted its annual celebration to honor the Citizen of the Year. At this event, a member of the community is recognized who highlights strong leadership skills, guides initiative-driven goals, and shows their commitment to enhancing the future of Manchester.

Dec 31
COY Celebration 2024
Dec 31
COY Celebration 2024

Honoring Past Citizens of the Year

Since 1954, the Greater Manchester Chamber has presented the Citizen of the Year Award to one outstanding individual. This group has been paramount in shaping the chamber’s agenda and the Greater Manchester community.

1954 - 1969

1954: William F. McElroy, Industrialist

1955: Med M. Chandler, Hills Dept. Store

1956: Mary G. Manning

1957: Dr. Robert B. Kerr

1958: Avery R. Schiller, Public Service Co. of New Hampshire

1959: Maxwell E. Duckoff, Salvage Shoe

1960: William S. Green, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green

1961: Rosco A. Ammon, Ammon Terminal

1962: Josaphate T. Benoit, Mayor

1963: Joseph H. Geisel, Saint Anselm College

1964: Adelaide Dodge, Retired Teacher

1965: Irwin W. Davis, YMCA

1966: Walter S. Little, Industrialist

1967: Thomas H. Buckley, Public Service of New Hampshire

1968: Francis P. McGranaghan, Chief of Police

1969: Victoria Y. Estfan

1970 - 1989

1970:  J. Fred French, Banker

1971:  Owen Johnson, Businessman

1972:  Alfred L. Sicotte, Trucking Magnate

1973:  John G. Drayton, Consultant

1974:  Robert P. Burroughs, Burroughs Corporation

1975:  Laurent Chalifour, Businessman

1976:  John McLane, Jr., McLane,Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A.

1977:  John J. Reilly, Jr., Reilly Electric

1978:  Ralph A. McIninch, Banker

1979:  Dr. Sylvio Dupuis, Mayor

1980:  Raymond Closson, Public Service of New Hampshire

1981:  Frederick W. Griffin, Griffin Insurance

1982:  John J. Coleman, New England Telephone

1983:  Howard Keegan, Amoskeag Bank

1984:  Kimon S. Zachos, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green

1985:  Monsignor Phillip Kenney, Clergy

1986:  Ralph E. Jensen, Numerica Financial Corp.

1987:  Selma R. Deitch, MD, Child Health Services

1988:  Raymond F. Truncellito, Truncellito & Davis

1989:  Herbert Stebbins, Stebbins Association

1990 - 2009

1990: Mary Mongan, NH Dept. of Health & Human Services

1991: Raymond G. Cote, Harvey Construction

1992: Patrick Duffy, NYNEX

1993: Beverly L. Arel, Moore Center Services

1994: Jack Middleton, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A.

1995: Sister Carol Descoteaux, Notre Dame College

1996: William E. Marvin, Manpower of Manchester

1997: William T. Frain, Jr., Public Service of New Hampshire

1998: Frederick B. Kfoury, Jr., Central Paper Products, Inc.

1999: Raymond J. Wieczorek, Mayor

2000: Elias “Skip ” E. Ashooh, Elias E. Ashooh, Inc.

2001: Bradford E. Cook, Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green, PA

2002: Dr. Eugene Lariviere, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester

2003: Dr. Richard Gustafson, Southern NH University

2003: J. Michael Hickey, Verizon

2004: Claira P. Monier, NH Housing & Finance Authority

2005: Robert A. Baines, Mayor

2006: Barry Brensinger, Lavallee Brensinger Architects

2007: Richard I. Winneg, W S I Industries

2008: Brian Tremblay, Boys and Girls Club of Manchester

2009: Dick Anagnost, Anagnost Investments

2010 - 2019

2010: No Citizen of the Year – Centennial Celebration

2011: Stephen Singer, Merchants Automotive Group

2012: Joseph B. Reilly, Centrix Bank

2013: Arthur Sullivan, Brady-Sullivan Properties

2014: Ellie Cochran, The NH Charitable Foundation

2015: Andy Crews, AutoFair

2016: Dianne Mercier, People’s United Bank

2017: Maureen Beauregard, Families in Transition – New Horizons

2018: Michael L’Ecuyer, Bellwether Community Credit Union

2019: Peter Ramsey, The Palace Theatres

2020 - Present

2020: Anna Thomas, City of Manchester Public Health Director

2021: Ron Covey, St. Mary’s Bank

2022: Paul LeBlanc, Southern New Hampshire University

2023: Howard Brodsky, CCA Global Partners

Citizen of the Year

Nominated by You

Since 1954, the COY has showcased Manchester’s top leaders, visionaries, dreamers, and doers.

COY Nominations deadline is Friday, October 18, 2024!

Please refer to COY Nomination Criteria above.

For further questions, please contact COY@manchester-chamber.org.

 


Nominee Information

Nominator Information

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Please explain how this individual embodies the Citizen of the Year award. The individual nominated should be a resident of the greater Manchester area or be engaged in activities centered on the community. Recognition will be given based on leadership and performance in several areas of community service over a period of years.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Please provide a brief description of the nominee’s events and achievements in life including place(s) of residence, education, work experience, honors and awards, scholarships, and publications of work.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 10 files.
Each nominee is required to have 3-5 letters of recommendation.

News

Search
Contact Us