The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce Chris Brown, President of New Hampshire Distributors, LLC, and founder of the 1883 Black Ice Hockey Association, as its 2024 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. The Chamber will present this distinguished award at its 105th Annual Meeting and Citizen of the Year Award event on Wednesday, November 6 at the Grappone Conference Center. All are welcome to attend this celebration of Brown’s enduring impact on the Greater Concord community.
“Chris and New Hampshire Distributors defines what it means to be a corporate leader in the community, generously donating their time and financial backing to the communities in which they do business,” wrote nominator Joe Shoemaker of Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. When he was inducted into the NH Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame in 2022, Chris Brown was recognized for encouraging significantly more kids in the Concord area to play hockey than would have been exposed to the sport before. “The tournament itself does a lot to promote the sport,” said Jeff Cain, President of Concord Youth Hockey, in reference to the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Association’s annual championships. “[It has included] people that may never have had a chance or may never even thought about playing hockey.”
Chris Brown represents the third generation of New Hampshire Distributors, and has carried on the legacy of this family business that serves territories across the state—from the Seacoast north to our Canadian border. The company currently employs over 200 people, making a significant impact on our local economy. Since taking on the role of President, Chris has made several notable achievements within the company—acquiring the beverage portfolios of Great State Beverages, White Mountain Distributors, and Craft Brewers Guild NH, successfully implementing warehouse automation, and installing a full field solar array on its warehouse roof. When his father, Tom Brown, was presented with this prestigious award in 2012, Chris Brown was recognized as an up-and-coming leader. He has since proven this acknowledgement to be more than merited. “Since Chris has taken over the business, he has only enhanced the role New Hampshire Distributors has played in the greater Concord community,” said Joe Shoemaker.
Black Ice Pond Hockey championship was inaugurated in 2001, and is named in honor of the first organized game of ice hockey in the U.S., which took place at St. Paul’s School in 1883. The annual event has raised over $550,000 for booster clubs of sports teams at local schools such as Concord High School, Bishop Brady, Bow High School, and Pembroke Academy. But beyond that, the event engages approximately 700 hockey players each year for a massive 3-day event. The championship has established partnerships with the city, Intown Concord, and The Hotel Concord, growing into the Concord Winter Festival, which features an ice carving competition downtown and trolley service to the hockey games in White Park. Brown’s continued leadership of the 1883 Black Ice Hockey Association has enabled the event to serve local students, area hockey enthusiasts, and draw visitors to the Concord region in an otherwise quiet travel season.
Chris Brown has continued to give back to New Hampshire’s hockey community by establishing the NH Mountain Kings—a franchise of the North American Hockey League. He also purchased and renovated the Tri-Town Ice Arena in Hooksett, which provides two ice rinks to the community for year-round use. But beyond his obvious passion for hockey, Chris gives back to the local community by serving on numerous boards, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire, Second Start, Merrimack County Savings Bank, and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. New Hampshire Distributors reflects Chris Brown’s generosity by giving back to countless community events, including the Chamber’s own Funds for Education Golf Tournament. “There is rarely a non-profit event in the community that Chris and NH Distributors doesn’t sponsor or support in some way,” wrote Joe Shoemaker in his heartfelt nomination. The Chamber is thrilled to celebrate Chris Brown as its 2024 Citizen of the Year, and highlight his unmistakable impact across the state, in our local community, and especially in the hearts of hockey enthusiasts across New England. This distinguished award will be given at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting—the organization’s biggest social event of the year.
The Chamber’s 105th Annual Meeting and Citizen of the Year award event takes place on Wednesday, November 6 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Presented by Merrimack County Savings Bank, the celebration begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a plated dinner, and culminates in the Citizen of the Year award ceremony. All are welcome to attend the celebration by registering at concordnhchamber.com, emailing events@concordnhchamber.com, or calling (603) 224-2508.
Incorporated in 1919, New Hampshire’s state capital chamber of commerce—the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce—develops economic opportunities, strengthens the business climate, and enhances quality of life in the Capital region. As largest chamber in the state, it is deeply invested in the local community and dedicated to shaping competitive economic development strategy, advocating for policies and projects that benefit the region, and promoting Concord as a culturally vibrant visitor destination. For more information, please visit concordnhchamber.com.
Photo: Chris Brown local education initiatives at the Chamber’s Funds for Education Golf Tournament. Photo credit Ridgelight Studio.