Awards
2024 Annual County Government Awards
Nominations are now closed for the 2024 NHAC County Government Awards. Each year the New Hampshire Association of Counties honors individuals for their service to county government and the citizens of their communities. Individuals are nominated by their peers and the winners are selected by the NHAC Awards Committee.
2024 Awards Committee Members:
Carroll: Superintendent Sean Eldridge
Cheshire: Commissioner Bob Englund
Coos: Superintendent Ben Champagne
Grafton: Administrator Julie Libby
Hillsborough: Commissioner Toni Pappas
Merrimack: Director Sara Lewko
Rockingham: Director Alison Kivikoski
Strafford: Administrator Ray Bower
Sullivan: Director Hillary Snide
Process: All nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, June 28. Nominations received after the deadline will not be considered. A separate nomination submission is needed for each award category.
Nominator: Any NH county government employee, appointed, or elected official may nominate any other NH county employee, appointed, or elected official for a relevant award based on the perception of a nominee’s work performance.
Nominee: Nominees should exhibit a passion for and excellence in their work; a drive to go above and beyond; and a willingness to innovate, collaborate, and work with compassion. The write up of the nomination should cite specific examples of work performance that illustrate one or more of the above descriptors.
See below for a list of the 2024 County Government Award Categories:
Employee of the Year Awards - One recipient per county per category
Employee of the Year: County Attorney Employee
Employee of the Year: County Corrections Employee
Employee of the Year: Assisted Living Employee
Employee of the Year: County Employee (Individual)
Employee of the Year: County Long-Term Care Employee
Employee of the Year: County Sheriff Employee
Employee of the Year: County Team Award
Employee of the Year: Registry of Deeds Employee
Administration Awards - One recipient per category
Administration Officials: Corrections Superintendent
Administration Officials: County Administrator
Administration Officials: Human Resources Administrator
Administration Officials: Nursing Home Administrator
Elected Officials Award - One recipient per category
Elected Officials: County Attorney
Elected Officials: County Commissioner
Elected Officials: Register of Deeds
Elected Officials: Sheriff
Public Service Awards & Criteria
Edna McKenna Public Service Award: Edna McKenna was a Merrimack County Commissioner for many years and devoted her life to public service and the greater Concord community. This lifetime achievement award is given to an extraordinary individual who exemplifies Edna McKenna’s qualities of committed involvement in the community and dedication to public service.
Roland Roberge Corporate Citizen Award: Roland Roberge was a Strafford County Commissioner and Mayor of Rochester. As a small business owner, he was a firm believer in public service and corporate volunteerism. This award is presented to a corporation or small business that reflects Roland Roberge’s spirit of commitment to community through public service by donation of time, knowledge or materials.
State Legislator of the Year Award: This award acknowledges a State legislator who has recognized the value of county government’s contribution to the citizens of New Hampshire and has furthered the cause of county government in the New Hampshire General Court.
Profile Service Award: This award was implemented in 2003 to recognize an individual or individuals who have worked diligently on behalf of the NH Association of Counties to further its purpose and mission.
Commissioner Ray Burton Community Service Award: Ray Burton, the state’s longest serving Executive Councilor, served for 22 years as a Grafton County Commissioner, representing District 2 and a political force in the Northern part of the state for more than 30 years, he is remembered as a consummate public servant.