Concord’s longest-serving Mayor, Jim Bouley of Dennehy and Bouley, LLC received the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor at their 104th Annual Meeting on November 1. The gala at the Grappone Conference Center welcomed over 300 community, nonprofit and business leaders from the Capital Region. This esteemed audience gave a standing ovation to Bouley after hearing inspiring stories about his impact on the City of Concord.
As part of the award ceremony, Bouley’s colleague, Mike Dennehy, and City Manager, Tom Aspell, shared stories about working with the award recipient over many decades in Concord. “Everybody has great ideas… it’s the ability to activate those ideas and be in touch with the values of the community, and being able to then pull together a team—City Council—to figure out what’s important, and actually get those things done,” said Tom Aspell. “That’s a rare quality, that’s a leadership quality, that’s what makes someone a Citizen of the Year.” With great pride, 2023-24 Board Chair Ari Pollack, Esq. of Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, PC presented the Citizen of the Year award to Mayor Jim Bouley.
“I want to thank the Chamber for this humbling recognition,” said Bouley. “I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the individuals and organizations who supported me throughout my journey… Their unwavering belief in me has been an incredible source of inspiration.” Bouley acknowledged many individuals and organizations that have worked with him through the years to transform Concord into the city it is today. “This award is a reminder that every voice matters and we all have the capacity to make a positive impact, even more so when we come together as a community.”
The theme of the night was “Grow” and this message spoke not only to Bouley’s impact on the City of Concord, but to the Chamber’s mission to serve over 850 area organizations as they grow their businesses in Greater Concord. Additional speakers included Chamber President, Tim Sink, 2022-23 Board Chair Elyssa Alfieri of Lilise Designer Resale, former Chamber President Jim Milliken who provided an invocation, and Jayme Simões of Louis Karno & Company Communications, LLC who provided a land acknowledgement. These presenters discussed the Chamber’s accomplishments over the past year—launching a new website and customer service software, bringing new sculptures to downtown Concord, continuing the robust programming of Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) and impactful leadership programs for adults and students, new partnerships from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and much more.
The Chamber extends special thanks to this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Merrimack County Savings Bank and additional sponsors for their support. Corporate Sponsors: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Bar Harbor Wealth Management; Eversource Energy; Grappone Automotive Group; Mason + Rich, Professional Association; NBT Bank, N.A.; Unitil. Event Sponsors: AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire; Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA; Northeast Delta Dental; Orr & Reno, PA. Associate Sponsors: Cleveland, Waters & Bass, PA; Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord; Eastern Bank. Supporting Sponsors: Concord Hospital; Ledyard National Bank; McLane Middleton; Sanel NAPA. In-Kind Sponsors: Courtyard by Marriott Grappone Conference Center; McLeod, Inc.; Speedy Printing & Copying; Wanderlust Imaging.
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 cutline: City of Concord Mayor, Jim Bouley, was surrounded by friends and family when presented with the distinguished Citizen of the Year award. Photo credit Wanderlust Imaging.