MANCHESTER, NH — The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is pleased to announce Dianne Mercier as its Citizen of the Year. The award will be presented to Mercier on April 20, 2017, at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Citizen of the Year Celebration at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. The Citizen of the Year award is an annual tradition of the GMCC which first began in 1954.
Dianne Mercier, President – NH, People’s United Bank, has leveraged her role in the banking industry to create an ideal “Live, Work & Play,” environment in the state while assisting and supporting local organizations. Since 2009, Dianne has served as People’s United Bank President for New Hampshire. She began her banking career in New Hampshire in 1985 and has spent the past 30 years in the state’s banking industry. Dianne and her husband John are longtime residents of Manchester where they raised their children, Sarah and Robert, and are now the proud grandparents of Paxtyn and Parker.
In 2015, under Dianne’s leadership, People’s United Bank provided $316,137 in donations and sponsorships to 129 charitable organizations, provided $138,500 in grants to 29 non-profit organizations from the People’s United Community Foundation, provided $1,592,917 in equity investments to New Hampshire affordable housing projects, donated $60,501 to our local United Ways through employee donations and matching contributions, approved $2,161,000 in Small Business Association 7a loans for 13 organizations and offered 982 hours of employee volunteerism, creating an economic impact of $22,449. Dianne was recognized by Business NH Magazine as “Business Leader of the Year” for her achievements and contributions as President of People’s United Bank.
“Dianne epitomizes the characteristics of the Citizen of the Year award through her incredible achievements as a business leader and her amazing commitment to community service,” said Michael Skelton, GMCC President and CEO. “Dianne has had a positive impact on every nonprofit Board of Directors she has served on, which is a testament to both her leadership skills and generosity. The Chamber is honored and thrilled to select Dianne as the next Citizen of the Year.”
Dianne’s service on nonprofit, community, and business boards is extensive. Her past and current board service includes such organizations as: Elliot Health Systems (Past Chair), Rivier University, Manchester Employee Contributory Retirement System, NH Business Committee for the Arts, Greater Manchester Family YMCA, American Heart Association’s NH Start!, 2015 & 2016 Tri-City Expo Committee, Nashua Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair), Amoskeag Industries, NH Bar Foundation and NH Public Radio. In addition, Dianne has participated in the CASA Annual Fashion Show, the NH Women’s Leadership Summit, Leadership New Hampshire, Leadership Manchester and Leadership Nashua and is a longtime supporter of and fundraiser for the Manchester Boys and Girls Club.
In addition to serving on boards and providing monetary support and guidance, Dianne continues to give her time many organizations and causes in the community. She also instituted a unique program called the New Hampshire Food Bank Challenge to raise money for the NH Food Bank. Dianne’s philosophy on the role employees should play to support, assist and improve the communities they live and work is best summed up with this quote from her, “Community involvement is important because getting personally involved and staying closely connected with customers and communities is the only way to ensure that our local communities stay vibrant and continue to grow.”
Dianne was nominated for Citizen of the Year by Doreen Manetta, Vice President and Market Manager at People’s United Bank. In her nomination, Doreen said, “For 11 years I have witnessed Dianne’s passion and intense work ethic within her professional career, as well as her generosity in giving back to the community in her civic and charitable activities. She is a woman of action and a true leader.”
Since 1954 the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has presented one outstanding individual the Citizen of the Year Award. This outstanding group of individuals has been paramount in shaping the GMCC’s agenda and the community. The Citizen of the Year award recognizes an individual with outstanding leadership and citizenship in the community, while demonstrating exemplary vision, civic pride and commitment to the betterment of society. To be nominated, the individual should live in the greater Manchester area and his or her activities should be centered in the same area. Recognition is given for leadership and performance in several areas of community service over a period of years.
Dianne Mercier will be recognized as Citizen of the Year at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Citizen of the Year Celebration, presented by Eastern Bank, on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester. For information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.manchester-chamber.org/COY. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Carolyn Leary at carolynl@manchester-chamber.org or call (603) 792-4100.
ABOUT THE GREATER MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Incorporated in 1911, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) is the largest business organization in the greater Manchester area with close to 1,000 members. The GMCC focuses its efforts primarily on Manchester and the surrounding communities of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack. It is the Chamber’s mission to be the leading force in the improvement of the business environment, the economic health and the general vitality of the region. The GMCC provides members with marketing and networking opportunities, economic indicators, legislative bulletins, and representation in both local and state government. For more information visit www.manchester-chamber.org.
