For over 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 submissions are now open. The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 23.
Nomination Criteria
The nominee should either live in the Greater Manchester area or have demonstrated a strong commitment to the community through their work, service, or involvement. The Citizen of the Year is selected based on outstanding leadership, service, and contributions to the Greater Manchester community.
As you consider your nomination, think about what makes this individual exceptional and the meaningful impact they have made over the past year. Their contributions may come through volunteerism, community leadership, advocacy, professional work, or other efforts that have helped strengthen our community.
The honoree does not need to be a member of the Greater Manchester Chamber or part of the business community. We welcome nominations of individuals from all walks of life, with no restrictions based on 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.
Attend The Citizen of the Year Celebration!
Check back here to learn more about the 2027 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.
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.
Oct
27
ACCESS 2026: Economic Growth Conference presented by Bellwether Community Credit Union
Learn More RSVP
Oct
27
ACCESS 2026: Economic Growth Conference presented by Bellwether Community Credit Union
Learn More RSVPHonoring 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
2024: Diane Fitzpatrick, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester
2025: Robert Singer
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Citizen of the Year
Nominated by You
Since 1954, the COY has showcased Manchester’s top leaders, visionaries, dreamers, and doers.
Citizen of the Year Nomination submissions are now open. The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 23.
Please refer to COY Nomination Criteria above.
For further questions, please contact COY@manchester-chamber.org.
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