ATKINSON — The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will hold its 33rd annual Business Awards on Friday, Feb. 9, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Atkinson Country Club.
Award winners this year include Bethany Communities, Business of the Year; Historic New England, Arts & Culture; YMCA Freight Farm, Education; MTM Insurance, Family Owned Business.
Also, The Movement Strength and Conditioning, Health; John Michitson, Manufacturing Champion; JC Media, Pioneer; Barewolf Brewing, Community Partner; Nunan’s Florist, Pay it Forward; Crusttown Eats and Drinks, Rising Star.
Also, Drop Cafe, Rookie of the Year; Community Action Inc., Change Agent; Roasted Coffee Bar, Small Business; Uncommon Catalyst, Technology; STEM Team, Volunteer; Lindsay Paris, Woman in Business, and Ralph Basiliere, the John E. Ratka award.
Keynote speaker is Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Alex Eberhardt at president@haverhillchamber.com.
To register for the program visit tinyurl.com/5n6sxymu.
NECC names new chief of staff
HAVERHILL — A familiar face in local government is now a key part of the President’s Office at Northern Essex Community College.
Chris Sicuranza joined NECC in December as the new Chief of Staff. Former Chief of Staff Cheryl Goodwin is now the college’s Director of Operations. Goodwin plans to retire in January of 2025 after 15 years with the college and will spend the next year working closely with Sicuranza.
“I’m honored to join the NECC team while helping support a fantastic leader in President Lane Glenn,” said Sicuranza. “Across my professional and personal career, I have developed terrific connections, relationships and memories across the Merrimack Valley, allowing me to hit the ground running to support the innovative and exciting work happening across our campuses.”
Most recently, Sicuranza worked as chief of staff for Acting Salem Mayor Bob McCarthy, and prior to that he was chief of staff for Haverhill Mayor Jim Fiorentini and Chief Administrative Officer to former Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken.
He also worked within the Massachusetts Comptroller Office on a business transformation program. Prior to his work in public administration, he helped co-found Go Out Loud, an organization that focuses on LGBT support through targeted events celebratingequality.
“Northern Essex is thrilled to welcome Chris to our team,” Glenn said. “Thanks to his strong government affairs and public administration background, Chris has already been a wonderful and friendly asset to the president’s team.”
At NECC, Sicuranza will play a pivotal role in providing leadership and operational oversight to the Office of the President, contributing to the achievement of NECC’s mission and goals. Additionally, he will help with internal and external relations, communications strategies, and community outreach and oversee activities related to the President’s Office.
Sicuranza holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations/Communications from Salem State University and a Master Equivalent Certificate in Public Administration from Suffolk University. He lives in Gloucester with his husband and is currently renovating a historic home.
Credit union welcomes new VP
LAWRENCE — The Merrimack Valley Credit Union announced that James Potter has joined the credit union as vice president of retail banking. Potter will oversee the credit union’s branch network throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and its member support team.
Potter earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Northeastern University and an MBA in Management from Babson College. His career in banking began more than 35 years ago as a teller at Shawmut Bank.
“I basically grew up in the retail branch network,” said Potter, who has worked as a customer service representative, assistant branch manager, branch manager and cluster branch manager.
In 2002, Potter transitioned to the credit union industry when he became the vice president of operations at Hanscom Federal Credit Union. There he managed a branch network, back-office operations, call center and marketing department. He was later promoted to senior vice president and CEO.
“What I really liked about MVCU is that it is growing,” Potter said. “I also loved the vision of being the best place anyone has ever worked or banked, and the credit union’s focus on financial education for both members and employees.”
Human resources update
LAWRENCE — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Human Resources Update Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Joe Fish, 1120 Osgood St.
Cost is $35 for members and $45 for future members. Jacqueline Fogg, council with Schwarz Hannum, will discuss updates to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Law; the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on the workplace, and important developments in federal and state employment and labor law. Also includes a hot plated luncheon, soft drinks and coffee.
To register or for more information, visit merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Business networking mixer
HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business Networking Mixer on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Aspen Hill Rehab & Healthcare Center, 190 North Ave.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for future members and includes appetizers and wine and business card drawings for door prizes.
To register or for more information visit merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Report from Washington
ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Special Report from Washington on Monday, Feb. 5, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 123 Old River Road.
Congressman Seth Moulton will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the United States in 2024 and how you, your family and your business may be affected.
A full hot breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. followed by the speaking program at 8 a.m. Cost is $35 for chamber members and $50 for future members.
To register or for more information, visit online at merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Networking at Noon
NORTH ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Networking at Noon luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Orzo Trattoria, 1085 Osgood St. Cost is $28 for members and $38 for future members and includes your choice of chicken parmesan with pasta, sausage cacciatore with pasta or chicken Cesar salad plus soft drinks and a cash bar.
To register or for more information, visit merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
How to avoid scams
HAVERHILL — The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will present a workshop titled “Outsmart the Scammers – Tips and Red Flags to Avoid Scams and Fraud from the Better Business Bureau” on Feb. 7 from noon to 1 p.m.
This program covers the most common scams currently circulating in the community, the major red flags to watch out for, and the necessary actions to stay safe. Danielle Bass, community relations manager with the Better Business Bureau, will discuss current scams and what the BBB is doing to educate consumers and prevent victimization by scammers.
Register online at tinyurl.com/2f8wdw87.
Business Breakfast
LAWRENCE — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business Networking Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 9, from 8 to 9:15 a.m. at Body & Brain Yoga Studio, 290 Merrimack St.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members and includes a continental breakfast and business card drawings for door prizes.
To register or for more information visit online at merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Business After Hours
HAVERHILL — The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours on March 27 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Cedardale Health & Fitness, 931 Boston Road. Learn to play pickleball with experts followed by a tournament and a networking social.
Pickleball equipment will be provided. Free but only 32 spots are available.
Register online at tinyurl.com/27hv4pap.
Rayno named ‘most influential’
SALEM, N.H. — Peter Rayno, executive vice president with Enterprise Bank, was recently named to the New Hampshire Business Review 2024 New Hampshire 200 list as one of the top 200 most influential and on-the-rise business figures statewide.
“Peter is incredibly deserving of this prestigious recognition,” said Enterprise Bank CEO Jack Clancy. “He has long been known and recognized as an incredible leader, championing Enterprise Bank’s continued growth, branch expansion, and community leadership and involvement efforts across Southern New Hampshire.”
A member of the Enterprise team since 2004, Rayno leads a team of 25 commercial lending professionals throughout New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts in serving small to mid-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities.
Rayno joined Enterprise with 15 years banking experience in various roles with Citizens Bank, formerly known as First NH Bank and Amoskeag Bank.
Spring Business Expo
HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Spring Business Expo, Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, April 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Michael’s Function Hall 12 Alpha St.
Admission and parking are free.
The event will highlight local businesses, their products and services, and will include free raffles and door prizes. Exhibitors can register for a complimentary breakfast and hot plated luncheon with VIP speakers, a networking reception mixer and more. Sponsorships are available.
To register your business or for more information, visit merrimackvalleychamber.com or call 978-686-0900.
Mayor welcomes LGH president
LAWRENCE — Mayor Brian DePeña recently welcomed Dr. Abha Agrawal, the new president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital, to the Greater Lawrence community.
DePeña alongside Agrawal and Ellen Murphy Meehan, who is a health system consultant, discussed improving patient care in emergency situations and creating better conditions so the health center becomes a hospital of options and not a last resort for residents.
Agrawal said she was pleased to come to LGH and she hopes to help bring a higher level of health care to Lawrence.
She started the new role on Jan. 2.
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