New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy was recently featured on Comcast’s Newsmakers program providing an overview of the resources available to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the state through the MyExpertNet initiative.
Host Jenny Johnson and Duddy discussed the many inquiries that are flowing into the site and how the new site is providing 24-hour access to experts for budding entrepreneurs, CEOs of existing companies and line workers alike. Duddy noted that technical assistance and resources needed to be computerized for better, more efficient support of these business professionals, and that it can be confusing to search for solutions on the Internet when you don’t know who to trust. So the state pre-qualified volunteers who would serve as experts on a wide array of topics and industry areas, to give expert answers that help people through their decision processes.
Go to http://www.MyExpertNet.org to connect with the expert business help you need, all free of charge. MyExpertnet was developed by the NH-based Knowledge Institute, in partnership with Comcast, the NH Division of Economic Development, PSNH, Unitil, and Centrix Bank.
Proving that creating an eco friendly line of shoes is a great way to put your best foot forward, Wicked Footwear has been named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of January.
In business since 1997, Wicked Footwear recently introduced a new nature-friendly outdoor “Eco-Fashionable” footwear line offering men two uniquely stylish selections. These multi-purpose shoes use recycled wood pulp creating a trendy comfortable fitting basket weave pattern that allows constant air movement inside the shoes.
Wicked Footwear is cited as the first company to use wood pulp uppers mechanically compressed using non-toxic chemicals. The shoe colors utilize true eco friendly paint. Wicked Footwear shoes are made from carefully selected natural biodegradable materials uppers that are eco friendly with a low carbon footprint.
“Not only are these shoes very cool looking and comfortable, they’re created in a very eco-friendly way,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Wicked Footwear is a great example of a New Hampshire company that has an eye toward creating great products while still preserving the environment.”
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
When developing an effective job search strategy, it’s best to keep this simple theory in mind – Positive attitude plus positive action leads to a positive result.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
Boynton, CEO of Manchester-based social service agency The Moore Center, announced today that he will be offering free downloads of his successful “Begin With Yes” inspirational book to any unemployed New Hampshire citizen throughout 2011 via a special download from his www.beginwithyes.com Web site. In tandem with this effort, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, White Mountains Community College, Public Service of New Hampshire, Logo Loc and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review will hold the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” at White Mountains Community College in Berlin on Tuesday, March 15th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“The lessons you learn in my book about the power of being positive and setting attainable goals are all good, but there needs to be a corresponding action plan to turn those good thoughts into activity,” Boynton said. “That’s why we’re not only offering free downloads to folks who are out of work, but are also providing them with the concrete set of tools they need to conduct an effective job search. It’s a two-pronged approach.”
In addition to Boynton’s keynote address, there will be four other general session workshops – “Job Search – Applications, Resumes and Cover Letters” (White Mountains Community College speaker TBD), “Effective Communication Skills in the Job Search” (Dr. Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners), “Networking – It’s Not Who You Know, But Who Knows You” (Kevin Shyne, North Country Tech Prep Director and Leadership North Country Executive Director) and “Social Media Basics for Job Seekers” (Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc.).
“Recognizing that helping to develop a job ready workforce is a primary goal of education, White Mountains Community College is thrilled to be a part of this event,” said White Mountains Community College President Kathy Eneguess. “We look forward to lending the expertise of our staff in developing and coordinating workshops that provide valuable information to citizens looking for a fresh start backed with new ideas.”
Through a special arrangement with Manchester-based EZStream and Portsmouth-based Kinney Hill Media Partners, the entire event will streamed live at http://bit.ly/NoBullStream .
“Though the event is taking place in the North Country, we are definitely committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to this great information,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Whether you’re someone who has been out of work for a long time or someone who is underemployed and is just seeking a new career direction, you’ll truly benefit from the combination of Paul’s book and the interactive workshops.”
“Public Service of New Hampshire is proud to take an active role in sponsoring and being on the coordinating committee of such a creative and proactive event in the state’s North Country,” added Public Service of New Hampshire Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “Helping our citizens to get back to work and build a stronger workforce and local economy is a mission that everyone embraces and we’re just happy to be able to do our part.”
Unemployed citizens can download copies of “Begin With Yes” free of charge at http://www.beginwithyes.com/purchase.html. They will need to click the “ebook” option and enter YESNH in the discount code box. Admission to the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” is also free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
Talk about timing – on today’s “First Class Business” segment of “New Hampshire Today With Jack Heath,” Jack and New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy will be featuring Rimol Greenhouse System of Hooksett, NH, a company that made a major announcement today regarding a key strategic partnership. To learn more, listen to the segment on WTPL today at 4:05 p.m. at 107.7 FM or online at www.wtplfm.com or check out the press release below.
RIMOL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS & AMERICAN HYDROPONICS
GROW WINNING PARTNERSHIP
A New Hampshire greenhouse manufacturer and a California hydroponics company are hoping that their budding East/West relationship will be one that bears fruit for their customers and the environment.
Rimol Greenhouse Systems’ 30’ x 96’ Matterhorn Greenhouse with American Hydroponics’ hydroponic system pictured here is completely automated with environmental controls and provides watering and fertilizing to maximize production for hydroponic lettuce. The two companies have entered a partnership for the mutual goal of providing growers with exceptional value and service in total design and implementation of greenhouses and hydroponic systems.
Hooksett, NH-based Rimol Greenhouse Systems (RGS) and Arcata, California-based American Hydroponics (AmHydro) announced today that they have entered a partnership for the mutual goal of providing growers with exceptional value and service in total design and implementation of greenhouses and hydroponic systems.
“Given the unprecedented rise of the hydroponics industry and the fact that more and more people are recognizing the benefits of locally grown food, this partnership makes sense on so many different levels,” said Rimol Greenhouse Systems Founder Bob Rimol. “As industry leaders in our individual disciplines, we understand that by partnering, we can offer our customers the best possible blueprint and game plan to grow healthier and safer food for themselves and their neighbors.”
Hydroponic plant cultivation is an efficient method of achieving maximum production in minimal space, without soil, by recirculating minerals dissolved in water. As an established branch of horticulture, hydroponics uses 1/10th the amount of water as a regular farm to produce the same amount of food. When coupled with greenhouses, no harmful pesticides or herbicides are required ensuring optimum plant and human health.
RGS designs, manufactures and installs greenhouse structures and systems that control light, temperature (heating and cooling), CO2 and the overall environment. Even insect control is factored into the overall greenhouse design, which also takes into account the best crops to grow, budget and revenue expectations.
Located in a 16,000-square-foot manufacturing facility overlooking the foothills, green pastures and tall redwoods in Humboldt County, California, American Hydroponics has been providing state-of-the-art crop performance products and services for people to grow crops successfully for the past 26 years. American Hydroponics currently has the highest rate of successful growers using their commercial hydroponic systems than any other system manufacturer and looks forward to combining their skills and expertise with their new partner.
“RGS shares our belief that the well-being of the environment is everyone’s responsibility and that water and land conservation is more important than ever before,” said American Hydroponics President Michael Christian. “Recognizing the fact that a smarter approach to farming has become a necessity to preserve farmland and other natural resources, the synergy between our two companies is natural and the relationship extremely beneficial to our customers.”
One company that has already benefited from the partnership is Hackettstown, New Jersey-based Greenway Flowers, which has expanded their traditional floral business to also include hydroponic, food-producing greenhouses. With a new, state-of-the-art RGS greenhouse outfitted with an American Hydroponics lettuce growing system, Greenway is now diversifying their business and finding a new revenue stream.
“Today Mom and Pop florists have to compete against supermarkets, online companies and imported flowers. In order to ensure our long-term sustainability as a business, we needed to branch out and add something new,” said Greenway Flowers Owner George Cummings. “With the greenhouse and lettuce growing systems, we have a new product, new customers and enhanced cash flow. Now, instead of just being florists, we’re also learning to farm.”
A dynamic new bodyworn electronics system for firefighters and first responders has led to Globe Manufacturing being named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of December.
Globe Manufacturing, the nation’s largest manufacturer of firefighter suits and emergency responder gear, recently teamed with Zephyr Technology Corporation and TRX Systems to develop an electronics system that helps firefighters and first responders to answer the questions “Where am I?” and “How am I?” The new system will utilize a unified graphical user interface in flame resistant base-layer shirts for monitoring both physiology and location/tracking.
Beta field-testing of the new Globe system, that is expected to be immediately useful for Workplace Assessment, Training, Rehab, Incident Command, HazMat, SWAT and RIT operations, will start in early 2011 with commercial deployment slated for early 2012.
“Globe Manufacturing, has once again developed a product that will save lives and improve the operations of those we trust to protect us,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Their continued ingenuity is the hallmark of their business and they continue to prove that when it comes to innovation and creativity, they are tops in their industry.”
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
Want to succeed in business? Try putting a smile on your face. Productivity and the power of positive thinking are inextricably linked in today’s global economy according to Paul Boynton, author of Begin With Yes, and keynote speaker at the 15th Annual NH Economic Development Summit to take place at Southern New Hampshire University on December 1st from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
"Begin With Yes" Author Paul Boynton
“The world’s most successful entrepreneurs have all discovered that whatever you focus your attention on is what you attract into your life,” Boynton said. “Thinking happy, productive and positive thoughts leads to the type of bottom line results that make the difference between a good idea and a Fortune 500 company. It sounds simple, but those who’ve mastered this philosophy swear to its effectiveness not only in the boardroom but in life.”
Boynton, an award-winning human services CEO who has been recognized for distinguished service and excellence in nonprofit management, published Begin With Yes last year and embraces its message, donating 10% of all book sales to non-profits. A personal coach, corporate consultant, and motivational speaker with degrees in social work and counseling, Boynton writes the column Making Good Things Happen at Work and hosts the weekly television talk show, Begin with Yes on MCTV.
Boynton was a fitting choice for this year’s Annual NH Economic Development Summit which has set “Growing on Solid Ground” as its theme. Presented by the NH Division of Economic Development in cooperation with Public Service of NH, Sales Protocol and media sponsor NH Business Review, the Summit features three panel discussions – “Innovation and Inspiration – the New Hampshire Entrepreneur,” “Look Beyond the Label – Workplace Inclusion Makes Perfect Business Sense” and “Keeping It Young – Youth Retention in the Granite State.”
Songwriter/Musician Jim Tyrrell
“We really wanted this year’s event to demonstrate that New Hampshire’s economy remains vibrant, strong and creative,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “We are well positioned for growth both in-state and in terms of business attraction, so why not accentuate the positive and showcase some excellent programs and people?”
“Public Service of NH is once again pleased to sponsor this summit which brings together economic development practitioners, elected officials, business professionals and educators to gain insight into the economy,” said Public Service of NH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott who will provide an overview of the Hydro Quebec Project. “Information sharing is key to ensuring the strength of our business community and this event gives us a chance to network with and learn from some of the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in New Hampshire.”
For the third consecutive year, Scott Spradling of The Spradling Group will serve as the guest emcee of this daylong event that will also feature the “Commissioner’s Awards for Economic Development Excellence.” Songwriter/musician Jim Tyrrell, who recently released his third full-length album Onward to Yesterday, will perform throughout the day at the Summit.
Admission is free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
It’s a dirty job, but for doing it well, Dirt Doctors has been named the “Innovation Rocks!” award winner by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center for the month of November.
Dirt Doctors, a landscaping material and services company, was recognized for its exemplary efforts in wood recycling/composting. Since 1989, the company’s 31 acre wholesale recycling facility has been state and federally approved to perform composting and wholesale/retail mulch production and distribution.
Dirt Doctors accepts clean wood, brush and yard waste for free from state, federal and local businesses as well as homeowners. It composts all yard waste into organic compost, plant bed mix and ultimate planting mix, making some of the finest soils in the Granite State.
Raw products are checked at the company’s scale house for contaminants or non-organic content at which point they’re added to the composting stream for future use as compost or planting mixes. Wood waste is stored and processed into mulch or bio fuels.
“This type of recycling is a model practice worthy of emulation by any community or state,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “By turning these raw materials into planting mix and bio fuels, Dirt Doctors has demonstrated that utilizing sustainable practices makes good business sense as well as good environmental sense.”
“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development announced today that Ellie White has been hired as International Training Manager as part of the state’s International Trade Resource Center.
ITRC International Training Manager Ellie White
In this role, coordinated through a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University, White will be responsible for organizing educational seminars for New Hampshire companies on various international trade topics.
“With New Hampshire export numbers continuing to rise, it is vitally important to provide our companies with the most up-to-date information and training,” New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy said. “Ellie White, a skilled professional with varied international experience, is the perfect person to lead our educational efforts and help local firms find success in the international marketplace.”
White previously served as Product Marketing Manager at Transparent Language, Inc. where she was responsible for managing the creation of foreign language learning software including localization and product marketing needs.
White brings to the International Trade Resource Center a wealth of international experience she gained through living, traveling and studying abroad. In addition to English, White is fluent in German and Russian, and has conversational knowledge in Mandarin Chinese and French as well as basic communication skills in various other languages. She received her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Maine at Farmington with concentrations in Business/Economics and Chinese/French as well as a minor in Political Science.
It was a real pleasure for the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development to be a sponsor of last night’s New Hampshire Business Review “Business Excellence Awards” at Southern New Hampshire University. This was a great celebration of New Hampshire’s best and brightest companies and the good folks at NHBR were rewarded for their hard work with a packed room.
Special congrats are in order for “No Bull Business Blog” guest blogger Dr. Russ Ouellette of Sojourn Partners who was recognized with an award in the “Business Services” category. Way to go Russ!!
Here’s a recap of last night’s festivities:
New Hampshire Business Review honored 14 individuals at the 2010 Business Excellence Awards, which recognize the efforts and achievements owners of businesses with 100 employees or fewer.
More than 50 nominations in 13 categories were received, making the job of the 14 judges that much more difficult.
More than 300 people attended the Oct. 20 event, which was held at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.
Because of the extraordinary number of accomplished candidates, NHBR also named a tie in the Retail category and finalists in several other categories.
NHBR also announced two inductees into the Business Excellence Hall of Fame, which singles out people whose entire careers have been marked by a consistent and impressive record of accomplishments, both in their chosen fields, in their communities, and across the state and beyond. These honorees were selected by a separate panel of judges.
“Each of the businesspeople who receive these honors has a different story to tell,” said Sharron McCarthy, president of McLean Communications and publisher of NHBR. “But what they have in common is determination, industriousness and the ability to come up with innovative solutions that have allowed their businesses to survive and thrive, regardless of economic conditions, and a commitment to serving their communities.”
NHBR Editor Jeff Feingold
Jeff Feingold, editor of NHBR, said, “We would like to salute all of the nominees, the people who nominated them and the winners themselves for their contributions toward making New Hampshire a great place to do business.”
Emcee was Charlie Sherman, host of WGIR-AM’s morning news talk program.
A portion of the proceeds from the evening benefited Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, which advocates for New Hampshire children in the state’s court system in cases of neglect and abuse.
The winners of the 2010 NHBR Business Excellences Awards were:
"Business Services" winner Dr. Russ Ouellette
• Excellence in Business Services — Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners LLC, Bedford
• Excellence in Construction — G. Hayden McLaughlin, Belknap Landscape Co., Inc., Gilford
• Excellence in Financial Services — Frank Teas, The Nashua Bank
• Excellence in Health Care — Joshua Siegal, M.D., Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics, Exeter
• Excellence in Hospitality — Carol Sheehan, The Red Arrow 24 Hr. Franchising Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Media & Marketing — Linda Fanaras, Millennium Integrated Marketing Inc., Manchester
• Excellence in Nonprofits — Peter Kelleher, Partnership for Successful Living, Nashua
• Excellence in Professional Services — Jonathan Halle, Warrenstreet Architects, Concord
• Excellence in Real Estate — Quentin Keefe, Regency Mortgage Corp., Manchester
• Excellence in Retail (tie) — Susan Lozier Robert, Frederick’s Pastries, Amherst; Curt Jacques, West Lebanon Feed & Supply
• Excellence in Technology — Jason Alexander, Alexander Technology Group, Bedford
The 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Hall of Fame Inductees were:
• Alex Ray, founder, Common Man Family of Restaurants
• Lew Feldstein, former chairman, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The judges for the 2010 NHBR Business Excellence Awards were:
• Jennifer Boulanger, loan officer at Capital Region Economic Development Corp. in Concord and former executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council based in Laconia
• Robin Comstock, president and CEO, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
• Roy Duddy, interim director, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development
• Lou Guevin, former chairman, Junior Achievement of New Hampshire
• Julie Gustafson, president and CEO, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Manchester
• Richard Hanson, professor, accounting and taxation, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester; executive director, Institute for Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, SNHU
• Mahboubul Hassan, professor, economics and finance, SNHU
• Lise Howson, vice president and business banking relationship manager, Citizens Bank
• Witmer Jones, New Hampshire district director, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Dave Juvet, senior vice president, Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire
• Patrick F. McDermott, economic and community development manager, Public Service Company of New Hampshire
• Tim Sink, president, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
• Ashley Smith, business editor, The Nashua Telegraph
• Chip Underhill, senior marketing manager, FairPoint Communications, Manchester
Sponsors of the event were FairPoint Communications, Laconia Savings Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England, Public Service of New Hampshire, J Maze Design, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, Merrimack Street Volvo, WGIR-AM 610, New Hampshire Public Television and Southern New Hampshire University. — NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW
The New Hampshire Division of Economic Development has announced the hiring of three key new members of its team.
Gary Chabot and Christine Davis will serve as Business Service Specialists covering the Greater Manchester/Nashua and Seacoast areas respectively while Leanne Spees has been named International Trade Resource Center International Trade Officer. In their new positions, Chabot and Davis will work hand in hand with companies on issues ranging from permitting and site selection to energy efficiency and workforce training while also providing strategic counsel to local community and economic development officials. Spees will work to educate New Hampshire businesses on the finer points of exporting products and services abroad.
Gary Chabot
Chabot previously worked as a Certified Business Counselor for the NH Small Business Development Center in all regions of the state and for the VT Small Business Development Center in the Connecticut River Valley. His real estate experience includes serving as an internal business consultant for an international real estate corporation, Coldwell Banker Corporation, in NH and VT, as Executive Director of a housing agency, as Real Estate Director for the Pease Development Authority, and as a Vice President in real estate firms involved with investment, development, leasing and appraisal of major commercial properties in southern NH.
Christine Davis
Davis was most recently the Executive Director of the NH Women’s Business Center, a statewide non-profit that provided educational support to women-owned businesses. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the Franco-American Centre in Manchester, an educational and cultural organization that promotes the history, culture and language of French-speaking individuals. Davis serves on the board of CONFR, the Council of Non-Profit Fundraising and is a committee member for the Exeter Chamber Children’s Fund.
Leanne Spees
Spees worked for over 18 years in international trade and finance for Irving Trust Company and Bank of New York in New York City, and FleetBoston Financial in Boston, MA. In these positions, she called on small businesses and large corporate clients that conducted business in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Spees speaks French, Portuguese, and Spanish, has traveled extensively, and has lived abroad in Switzerland, Brazil, and Kenya. She is a Board member and Treasurer of Art-Speak, the City of Portsmouth’s Cultural Commission, and a member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club.
“The addition of these three top shelf business professionals is excellent news for the New Hampshire business community,” New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy said. “With skill, enthusiasm and expertise, they will make a very positive difference in our efforts to grow and sustain a world class economy.”
In business since 1997, Wicked Footwear recently introduced a new nature-friendly outdoor “Eco-Fashionable” footwear line offering men two uniquely stylish selections. These multi-purpose shoes use recycled wood pulp creating a trendy comfortable fitting basket weave pattern that allows constant air movement inside the shoes.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
Beta field-testing of the new Globe system, that is expected to be immediately useful for Workplace Assessment, Training, Rehab, Incident Command, HazMat, SWAT and RIT operations, will start in early 2011 with commercial deployment slated for early 2012.
Dirt Doctors, a landscaping material and services company, was recognized for its exemplary efforts in wood recycling/composting. Since 1989, the company’s 31 acre wholesale recycling facility has been state and federally approved to perform composting and wholesale/retail mulch production and distribution.
